Yup, and not only in the British Museum. There are artefacts recovered by responsible amateurs in museums everywhere that have advanced our understanding (and enjoyment) of the past. The Staffordshire Hoard and the Snettisha Hoard are just two well-known examples of the benefits of responsible artefact recovery which have brought the past so much closer to the present (not only in this country but worldwide) and without which our knowledge of that past would be so much the poorer. Responsible artefact recovery - ie field-walking for flints, unobtrusive turf-turning for rockart, fossil hunting or just keeping an educated eye open for something that might be important or interesting is perhaps a more appropriate and preferable term than the rather narrow and emotive metal detecting one (there are fanatics and bad eggs everywhere - not only in metal detecting).

The bottom line is that no-one can deny that finds such as those from Staffordshire and Snettisham have added incomparably to our knowledge and understanding (not to mention appreciation) of past cultures, their art and craftsmanship.

This might be an opportune time by the way to mention the The World of the Celts exhibitions being held in Stuttgart until 17 February next year.