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 fi nding something of immense value is about the same as winning the lottery. But it does happen. In 2009 Terry Herbert, who had been metal-detecting 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.
Archaeology is a deeply political profession and a very academic one. Archaeologists feel that the past belongs to everybody; that fi nds 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’, because they go out to archaeological sites under cover of darkness to raid them for artefacts, which they can
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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 fi nds 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:
www.ncmd.co.uk To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
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