Once a site has been excavated, history is lost forever

From Gerard Baudains.

AM I alone in being concerned about the present archaeological excavation at Mont Orgueil castle? Apparently it is to locate the 13th century castle. Well, that’s not difficult – it’s already above ground. What they are presumably looking for is the iron-age settlement under the castle green.

But what I’m concerned about are two things. Firstly, unless an important archaeological site is under imminent threat (eg, a motorway about to be built through it) the presumption is against excavation, for two reasons. New technologies are evolving all the time, so the longer it is left untouched the higher the quality of eventual analysis – and once a site has been excavated, much history is lost forever as a result of the disturbance.

Furthermore, a ‘dig’ on such an important site would be expected to be painstakingly done over a period of perhaps a couple of years. To go in with a JCB on a ‘smash and grab’ exercise, where only a couple of days are afforded and, judging by previous episodes of the TV programme concerned, archaeological finesse often comes second to programme production requirements, fills me with great concerns.

There was enough damage done during the previous castle make-over as evidenced by the many States questions and finally the planning meeting held at Trinity, so the last thing we need is a similar disregard for our heritage at another location close by.