The work with human remains in archaeology is something which bothers me too.
I know that it brings up some amazing information - as seen on MTA - but
these people were buried with all due respect for the beliefs of the time and
IMHO should be left. The archaeological exhumations are in the distant past
but how would you like it if people were to dig up your nearest and dearest
in order to discover what they had died from and whether they had bad teeth
or whatever...?
While I am posting, which I have not done yet in deference to my lack of
knowledge on wells, springs and archeology, I would like to say as a
layperson I appreciate the airing of Time Team on British terrestrial
television as it gives me an insight into how an archaeological investigation
might proceed. I, as doubtless the majority of viewers do, appreciate that 3
days is insufficient for proper work to be done but that's tv for you. For
one thing, several million viewers now have a good knowledge of how to
conduct a dig - lets get the geophys. going and a trench in this interesting
looking patch, a couple of people in the local libraries and Phil Harding up
to his neck in mud... :-)
Also, could anyone recommend a couple of decent books on Wells for a
novice...?
Thanks
Andy
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