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 Head To Head The Modern Antiquarian Ringlemere Farm Forum | Start a topic | Search |
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| 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. Reply | with quote |  24th September 2003ce 10:25 In reply to: Re: Wealthy metal-detectorist speaks his mind (Rhiannon) |
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