offered programmes several times a week showing desperate attempts to
solve all the problems of a complex excavation in 72 hours.
The use of modern computer techniques and the abilities of the forensic sci-
entist skilfully displayed within these programmes have familiarised the general
public with technology in a way that has never happened before. The result is
that they cannot be fobbed off with conjecture about archaeological material –
they expect facts. They also expect that the objects and any evidence found by
modern archaeologists will be preserved to be reassessed and displayed for edu-
cation and pleasure. In parallel with the growth in public interest there has been
a growing investment of public money and with this comes accountability.
1.1 The Archaeologist
The task that is faced by the archaeologists, whether their work is publicly
funded or not, is enormous and the skills required are diverse. The recognition
that any excavation of buried material is inevitably destructive means that the
intrusion into a site has to be justified and well planned. Pre-disturbance appraisal
including soil analysis, geo-prospection, topographical survey and aerial photog-
raphy will provide the outline for a strategic plan and a wise archaeologist would
include the scientists in planning the programme of work at this early stage.
Archaeology has moved away from the collection of individual ‘things’ to
the collection of information about the people who made and used the
objects. This change in attitude requires a forensic approach and commitment
far removed from treasure-hunting and early barrow digging. Even an import-
ant and highly glamourous site like the 7th century tomb discovered at
Prittlewell, during the rescue excavations in advance of road development,
was part of a well-designed programme founded on examination of the mater-
ial discovered in the 1920s. The importance of the site, with its mixture of
Christian and pagan ritual material, cannot be over emphasised and although
the public may be dazzled by the gold crosses, the presence of wooden
objects and small bone dice suggest that soil analysis may yield more infor-
mation. The lost burial and vegetable materials buried with the body may
throw new light on the environment in Essex in the early 7th century; only
time and rigorous analysis of samples will tell.
1.2 The Conservator
The skills of the conservator and the high standards of diagnostic analysis and
documentation required are an essential part of any programme to investigate
and preserve evidence of our past. Whenever possible the monument or building
should be preserved in situin the context and the landscape where it was cre-
ated. Interest in stately homes and public buildings exceeds interest shown
2 Chapter 1