[Archport] Re UK archaeology under threat

["Jenny Compton" <jennycompton@sapo.pt>]

The news about the threat to UK archaeology is very disturbing especially as
far as the proposed redundancies at English Heritage.
EH has for many years led the way in research archaeology and has also been
responsible for the maintainance upkeep and administration of historic
buildings, sites and landscapes. EH is also renowned for its publications in
the field of archaeology. Their experts have also given advice over the
years to archaeologists in the field.
Like Portugal many excavations carried out prior to development are carried
out by contract archaeological companies and this too may be affected by any
proposed cut backs.

TV programmes such as Time Team have done a great deal to bring archaeology
to the general public and with it a greater understanding of the mysteries
of the past and the hidden history beneath the ground.

In the past the teaching of archaeology in universities led the way and many
students from Europe and beyond headed to the UK universities to learn the
skills to return to their home countries to work and this in turn led to the
development and expansion of archaeological departments in countries such as
Eastern Europe. 

To return to the 1950's when most archaeology in the UK at least was pretty
basic, would be a disaster to say the least!