Metal Detecting Flashcards
Paragraph 1 - definitions.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland - all gold silver objects. Groups of coins over 300 years old must be reported.
Scotland - any peerless objects found by chance become property of the crown and may be claimed. - differing opinions on what Treasure is.
Scotland finder is rewarded for their role in the discovery. Means people strive to find objects. Metal detector finds became regular.
Had to become full time unit to deal with finds made by members of public. Means more metal detectors in Scotland
View of metal detectors in the media - sad etc.
Paragraph 2 - findings.
Is it hobby or Treasure hunting.
The frome - discovered in 2010 53,503 Roman coins. Confiscated by the crown land owners spilt money - is it worth it.??
Staffordshire - July 2009 reported and excavated. 3 million shared. Ruined relationship
Stirling - found by David booth first time - 462 thousand
Galloway hoard - discovered 2014 saved for nation at cost of 1.98 m - third major discovery that year. Hobby or do they mean to find something??
Paragraph 3 - cons
Dark side of metal detecting. Selling on eBay - salisbury hoard illegally retrieved and sold to antiques dealer. Traced origin. Some still not found.
Hugh concentration at some sites but of no importance - destroying landscape / metal detector holidays.
The only Hobby that had impact on the public purse. High costs and lost artefacts.
Some seen as not legit in public eye do not have the profession.
Paragraph 4 - pros *
The lesser of the two evils. New finds mean new information. Brought new objects to arch eye to assess rarity and type.
Shows public engagement. Collaborate is key - early washing system. Found sooner than later but at what cost.
Sources
Metal detecting, collecting and portable antiques: Scottish and British perspectives - Stuart Campbell 2013
Biting the bullet : the role of the hobbyist, metal detecting within battlefield archeology - Natasha Ferguson 2013
