Wash 'n' Go: the field archaeologist's attitude to finds?
Overhead slide 2: Finds reports
Possible methods of integration:
- complete subsuming of the specialist reports within the main site report carried out by the field archaeologist with little or no consultation (very dangerous).
- complete subsuming carried out with agreement and teamwork of all involved (extremely difficult and time consuming).
- partial integration of finds information in the main text and full publication of specialist reports either in the same volume or separately (the latter is particularly useful for those interested in only one aspect).
- integration by cross-referencing from the main text to the finds report and vice versa (more useful to both camps).
- integration in 'popular' reports or museum exhibitions with a traditional full excavation report (no real change).
- integration at the stage of specialist involvement by teamwork and discussion, culminating in a better-informed group and deeper interpretation, but with a separately integrated finds report and involvement of all aspects in the final conclusions (a solution for well-funded sites?).
Sue Anderson, © November 1996. |