I am developing new programmes for BBC history and archaeology, we have a new series we are hoping to get funding to film in 2005. The series is looking for archaeological digs at major sites where a team of researchers are trying to solve a mystery. We propose bringing together the skills of traditional archaeologists with specialists to help solve these mysteries. Specialisms might include ground-penetrating radar, aerial surveying, DNA and forensic specialists, robotics, underwater archaeology - depending on what is required at the site in order to solve a particular mystery. We are looking for major sites of ancient civilisations such as Incas, Egyptians, Romans, Aztecs, Khmer, Persians, Olmecs, Mayans, Xi'an and so on. We are hoping to shed light on sites with big name recognition such as Saqqara, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, Tikal, Pompeii, Herculaneum. We need a clear mystery that the team hope to solve by bringing together experts from a range of specializations (which we can help bring to the project). We are looking for digs going ahead in 2005 and need to act quickly to get permissions in place. We realise it may be difficult to dig at the most famous sites such as Machu Picchu, but perhaps there are digs going on which could shed light on these most famous places, or techniques that have never been used before at the big sites. Best wishes, Lucy

Yes! This time lets not complain about all the clichés in Lucy’s proposal, and lets not insist that professional archaeology is really not like this at all. Lets not patronize either her or anybody else. Instead, lets just go for it and try to make this series happen, for it is good to see that archaeology is in demand on TV. Lets celebrate the public understanding of archaeology, with Lucy and all the others at our side. *

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