Yes I agree with everything you say. TMA is used a lot. Plus Google Earth, And everything archaeologists publish. Ironically, the only stuff that doesn’t get published is the detectorists’ findspots, at their insistence, as they know what would happen. Last week there was a press account of a Treasure payout for a hoard where two years after the original find the finders went back with a JCB to make sure there was nothing else. Totally legal of course.

“I'd be embarrassed to be paid off for finding (say) some gold cup or other.” Me too. Especially when the pay has to come from some impoverished local museum running a public appeal. If it’s a small amount, donate it. If it’s a big amount give them a big discount at least or donate a chunk back to the museum. Sheez! What decent person wouldn't? But the latest stats show only 9% of Treasure Rewards are renounced – and the snob in me says most of those will have been landowners donating their half of the rewards not the dentally needy lot. ;)