MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Controversial plans to excavate Falklands’ conflict battlefields in 2012 are abandoned

University of Glasgow academic, Dr. Tony Pollard blames the media

The proposal, reported by “The Scotsman” newspaper earlier this month, of television archaeologist and University of Glasgow academic, Dr. Tony Pollard to excavate the battlefields of the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict next year during the 30th Anniversary of the conflict have been abandoned.

Dr Tony Pollard, speaking with FIRS, says that initial press coverage misrepresented the project. Whilst Dr Tony Pollard hopes to visit the Falklands next year he clarified that:

“In the first instance this isn’t a TV project, it’s purely academic, though it grew out of a TV project which never happened, and during the process of developing that TV project a number of important contacts were made. I have a very long term interest in the Falklands War. So that’s the first point that the newspaper article got wrong. The other is that the project is not taking place next year which is a very important year given that it’s the 30th Anniversary of the War, in fact I hope to visit the Falklands in the earlier part of next year to pay both my respects to the fallen of the war and also to put in place the first, I suppose, stepping stones towards the project happening”.

The proposal when first reported caused controversy in the Falklands due to the insensitive timing and the suggestion that Pollard planned to invite a team of Argentine archaeologists to take part in the venture, which would be televised.

As was reported by Mercopress on the 13th December, the original story caused concern to be voiced by a number of Councillors, members of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982 and the Department of Environmental Planning, who had received no notification of the proposal or official application.

The Chairman of the South Atlantic Medal Association 1982, Mike Bowles, stated at the time that he did not believe that it would be appropriate to excavate Falklands conflict battlefields so comparatively soon after the event and particularly not in 2012, the 30th anniversary year, when many veterans and some next of kin of those who died would be going back to the islands to remember and to pay respects to fallen colleagues and family members.

The eventual format of the proposal, if it occurs, is as yet unknown but the fact finding mission to the Falklands will hopefully highlight the justifiable sensitivity of the subject which to many, who live with memories, cannot be categorized as “purely academic”.

FIG Environmental Planning Officer Anthony Payne confirmed that any approach would be required to pass through the normal channels and seek permission and approval from the relevant Falkland Islands Government departments, including the Lands Committee and Environmental Planning if any excavation of sites was to be proposed. This process is open to the public and thus an opportunity would be provided to make comment and representation prior to any permission being considered.

By Grant Munro – SeAledPR - Stanley

University of Glasgow academic, Dr. Tony Pollard blames the media