It has been suggested to me that it's possible (and has been theorised) that hoards might not have been meant to be recovered and were offerings to Mother Earth or, in the case of grave goods, were for the use of the deceased in the next world.

So modern Pagans might have views on whether detectorists (or archaeologists on non-essential digs) should remove them? This would seem to be broadly consistent with people feeling ancient human remains ought to be left alone unless it is unavoidable. Seems pretty strange to respect a person's bones yet disrespect the symbols and tokens they took with them to their grave and to hoik them all out.

Anyone know anything written about this or anyone I could ask?