Hi Gemma,
One of the things that I am currently starting to implement in Hampshire
is the inclusion of folklore and legendary associations with sites,
which would include some of the more wacky theories that we in the
profession come across sometimes! I admit that there is a danger of
people accepting these notions as 'truth' because they are included on
an HER, but as long as it is clearly defined as folkloric or a modern
myth (or even as 'alternative interpretation'!) then there is little
danger of misinterpretation, even if it is included in your 'further
information files'. I would argue that this kind of folklore is an
important part of a site's history, at least within a cultural
framework.
Hope this helps(?)
thanks
Alex
Alex Godden
Assistant Archaeologist
Archaeology & Historic Buildings
Landscape, Planning & Heritage
Environment Department
Hampshire County Council
Tel. 023 8038 3432 Fax. 023 8038 3353
Email: [log in to unmask]
hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage
<http://www3.hants.gov.uk/landscape-and-heritage.html>
________________________________
From: Issues related to Historic Environment Records
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gemma Lewis
Sent: 30 January 2008 15:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Eccentrics
Hi
I have a nice light and fluffy question. In Durham we are currently
re-organising our further information files. We have significant amounts
of information about some interesting theories about some of the
features in County Durham, such as pyramids in County Durham and Rock
Art coming from lost Roman forts. Obviously, everyone else has similar
problems, but how have you dealt with the information and the HER.
Basically we are torn whether to put in the information in the Further
Information files which may lead to misinterpretation of sites when
combined with other information or we keep it separate which may endorse
some of the theories, or put suggest that they are completely incorrect
(when there is no way we can ever prove the theories one way another).
Gemma
Gemma Lewis
Assistant Archaeology Officer
Adult and Community Services
Libraries, Learning and Culture
The Rivergreen Centre, Aykley Heads, DH1 5TS
Tel: 0191 370 8844
Fax: 0191 370 8897
Email: [log in to unmask]
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