Re: Wealthy metal-detectorist speaks his mind | Forum

Ringlemere Farm 1

Wealthy metal-detectorist speaks his mind

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Rhiannon Sep 24, 2003 10:06:29

Replying to Kammer

It irked me that they were putting this price on it of ~ 300 grand. Really it's priceless isn't it, because it's one of only two ever discovered in this country. It's a fantastic thing. I liked how they showed how the goldworker made it corrugated. My point is, and you can shout me down, but if I just happened upon it I would either want to hug it to my chest and never let anyone see it, or I'd give it to a local museum so everyone could see it. Ok so a few grand would sort out a lot for me, like a house. But it's not really WORTH anything is it? It's kind of worthless and priceless at the same time. What am I getting at? I don't know. Just that while metal detectorists are paid ludicrous amounts for priceless treasures then they're going to carry on digging things up all over the place and ermm. I'm not being snobbish, I just think we should be more civilised than to trash ancient sites in the hope of finding *treasure* for the money. But the cup would probably not have been found without this attitude. and it's cool that we can see it now. Hmm.

(I'll shut up now)

elderford Sep 24, 2003 10:21:47

Replying to Rhiannon

i kinda get what i think is where you're coming to.

i have similar feelings about unexcavated sites. part of me wants them to be left until some real cool way of checking them inside out is invented which won't damage a single blade of glass, but then there's also the 19th century local vicar/amateur historian side of me who just wants to hire some local farmhands to dig the thing up because it might be full of shiney things.

thank goodness i don't know any farmhands, well apart from one but she's a lesbian who milks cows and so i don't know whether her digging technique would be up to much.

nigelswift Sep 24, 2003 10:25:29

Replying to Rhiannon

There's 2 sides to most things, but this issue really gets me going.
It's illegal for unlicensed people to detect on ancient sites, so that part of it is sorted (apart from the criminal element) but I moaned on the BBC History Board from the start that the programme would stress money and boost metal detector sales to irresponsible people, but was assured by their Hosts that it would be highly responsible. Hmmm. It IS about money, not just the money to be made from the hobby but also to be made by the BBC in terms of ratings.

Apart from the inarguable fact that the vast majority of recovered artefacts never get shown to the professionals, and that archaeologists often seem to support the PAS through tightly gritted teeth probably for career reasons, there are 3 specific points about the hobby:

First, detecting in plough soil is NOT fair game. Many soils are very thin, and they all have a horizontal context even if the original stratified vertical context has been disturbed. What percentage of detectorists report what percentage of their finds in their horizontal context?

Second, the attitude of the CBA ought to be listened to: “If the motive is to add to knowledge, then we welcome it. If the purpose is simply to look for treasure for personal gain or to amass a private collection without reporting, then we think that is wrong.” Let's not maintain the tiresome suggestion that most metal detecting is a search for knowledge or that most finds are reported.

Third, we should view the programme in context: the activity that the BBC is promoting is ILLEGAL in Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. In Ireland, I believe, it may be illegal to screen it. If it is shown in America the groups of detectorists flying over to “easy touch” Britain may well increase greatly.

Shame on the Government for not grasping the nettle, and inventing the PAS to appease the powerful detectorist lobby, but even greater shame on the BBC for promoting it. Sometimes, you have to stand up and be counted.