Participating in the Past: Diminished Role of Local Societies and Groups

3.7 Diminished Role of Local Societies and Groups

There were a number of responses from local society members, but also a few comments about them. Although a number of societies and CBA regional groups are clearly in a healthy state, underlying many responses was a strong feeling that the diminution of the field role of many societies had affected their ability to recruit and retain young people. In the past such groups had been fertile recruiting areas for instance, for would-be professional archaeologists.

Some commented that formerly active local groups had become self-limiting, being unwilling to seek out new field opportunities of any kind and therefore failing to attract young people, but preferring to rely on traditional lecture programmes and outings. This in turn led to a self-perpetuating situation. It was suggested that increasing professionalism and specialisation had, however, affected the confidence of societies to publish their own work and that it was also easier to be an audience than to carry out active research. Some suggested that professional archaeologists could usefully be more pro-active in providing guidance and assistance. Problems with gaining training at an appropriate level (previously noted) were cited and a few commented on the expense of modern equipment and the administrative complexity of seeking grants for projects.