Spotlight Magazine
The Bounty Hunters
Modern day metal-detecting
I have happy memories of my dad, wearing
comical over-size headphones, wandering
up and down various beaches with his
metal detector, pausing periodically to dig
up yet another ring pull or bottle top.
We kids hoped for treasure; instead dad
found foreign coins, old pennies, and
once, an engraved wedding ring, which we
handed in to the local police station.
Dad’s metal-detecting was a harmless
and somewhat seasonal hobby, but
recently I was surprised to learn that
modern-day metal detecting is a subject
which provokes controversy among
archaeologists, the police and landowners.
Most metal detectors admit that becoming
rich or finding something of immense value
is about the same as winning the lottery.
But it does happen.
In 2009 Terry Herbert, who had been metaldetecting for 18 years unearthed what has
become known as The Saxon Hoard: the
largest collection of Anglo Saxon gold and
silver ever seen.
Valued at £3 million it is still the most
expensive treasure ever found on British
soil. Terry did nothing wrong; he informed
all the right people and behaved properly
throughout his discovery, yet many
archaeologists were very unhappy.
cover of darkness to raid them for artefacts,
which they can then sell over the internet.
They often cause considerable damage in
the process.
So does that mean we shouldn’t go out
metal-detecting? No, it’s a fun hobby
and can be absorbing, exciting and
educational. But there are some rules all
enthusiasts should obey.
Do not trespass
Adhere strictly to laws concerning
protected sites.
Minimise ground disturbance when you
dig.
Adhere to the country code (close gates,
don’t litter etc.)
Report any finds to the relevant
landowner.
Consider joining a metal detecting club
– Not only is it fun and sociable, they will
have current advice on the conservation
and handling of artefacts, and often
provide insurance too.
Useful Website http://www.ncmd.co.uk/
Archaeology is a deeply political profession
and a very academic one. Archaeologists
feel that the past belongs to everybody;
that finds should be in a public collection
on display and accessible for study on the
internet or in books.
They see those who use metal detectors as
being very object-orientated while they, the
academics, are educated to take a broader
view.
Most metal detector enthusiasts do operate
legitimately, but some work on the wrong
side of the law. Archaeologists call these
treasure hunters ‘nighthawks’.
They go out to archaeological sites under
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