local tv: metal detectorists vs archaeologists lock

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nigelswift N
nigelswift Jun 2, 2007 21:38:39
Replying to slumpystones

In an endeavour to cool the issue (as I'm keen the core one doesn't get lost) I confess to occasional trollish tendencies when discussing this stuff, or at least, unforum-like behaviour. The reason is, what's been going on here is a continuation of a two-year long argument between people who have heard each others opinions ad nauseam and haven't ever agreed any common ground. I think of it as a dispute over over land, the bitterest variety, and I'm not in it to lose it.

Until now it was impossible to make progress as it was all smoke and mirrors and platitudes. The counter and HA's change of tack has changed things. "It's the progressive erosion of a finite commmon resource for personal gratification, stupid" is not only true but obvious and demonstrable and most of all cannot be defended against. Our friends hadn't quite twigged the significance of the change but they probably have now. Detectorworld in general has, there's no public chat about it - talking about it points at it so the word has gone out.

Anhow, loved the Flushing and Kerrr-ching! idea Dimjim. It could even have the flush every time followed by the occasional Kerching in some cases in the correct proportion shown by Ebay. Any more ideas? Music? The sound of two palms being rubbed together? The sound of one hero slapping the other's back? An animated David Lammy doing a little heritage dance? ;)

P Paul Barford
Paul Barford Jun 3, 2007 07:17:01
Replying to nigelswift

nigelswift wrote:
In an endeavour to cool the issue (as I'm keen the core one doesn't get lost) [...] what's been going on here is a continuation of a two-year long argument....
.... between those who (quite simply) support the exploitation of archaeological sites and assemblages for collectables and those who question it and express concern.

The discussion has been going on since the 1970s, but in the present form in fact since the beginning of May 2004. In that time the pro-collecting lobby has come up with absolutely no real arguments against the concerns of the conservation lobby. the only thing they can manage are glib anecdotal comments about what "good" it does and dismiss any concerns about erosion, the fate of the information etc by personal attacks. As we see with the reaction to HA's counter here, there is no attempt made to actually engage in any discussion pitting facts and figures against the concerns raised.

In fact, the majority of detectorists do not act as the handfull we have seen here. The vast majority - whether they record with the PAS or not - simply ignore that there ARE any concerns. As I write, many perhaps are getting ready for a Sunday morning's hunting for archaeological artefacts for collection or sale with not a thought for the counter ticking away... after all, "it's legal innit?"