Re: Panopticon- the alternative view
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug
The problem you face with this project would be the level of preservation as it is now, and how would you conduct the re excavation of the site. This process could in itself, be destructive.
Your also talking about an archaeological site that would need to be protected not only from the mindless little B******s who seek to destroy our heritage, HBC and the local vandals. But also the elements of sun, rain, snow and wind. The wildlife on the coppice would also play a part in the destruction once the archaeology is exposed.
But your main threat would be the tourists themselves. Their management of these nice people would need to be a primary concern. Picture all those dads that have read a book about the First World War demonstrating “going over the Top” to their little darlings, who following them over, destroying the trench in the process.
If people can’t have the “hands on experience”, they may not be interested in coming to see them in the first place.
I suggest a full consultative discussion should now take place in the Heritage Forum as how we can achieve this………….
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I do agree with these points Doug, but it leads me to question why is it, in other countries, natural and historical phenomena are on show to the public and they don't get vandalised. I remember visiting Whakarewarewa and Hell's Gate in New Zealand. Wonderful thermal natural reserves and not a sign of misuse or vandalism. You can buy sweetcorn in Whaka and lower it into the thermal pools to cook, thus providing a "hands on" experience. These places are properly maintained and supervised. There's even a sign in Hell's Gate stating that if you throw anything is into the boiling mud pools or geysers, you will be asked to go and retrieve it.... People just don't do it because the place is properly staffed and supervised. If we had a heritage site open to vandalism it would be purely the mismanagement of security and supervision. These trenches have survived the elements for donkeys years and hand's on experience shouldn't be a problem with the right maintenence.
The only drawback is the incompetence of HBC who would expect to make money from it to fund their generous retirement packages, but put nothing back into the preservation of the site. 
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