7th December 2005, 11:08 AM
Hi Curator Kid... I wasnt referring to the hobby, rather to an earlier remark that the metal detectors themselves could become illegal.
I agree that banning the hobby would lose some skilful help to the archaeologist, but metal detecting, the hobby, does not just have its uses there.
Working alongside excavators on archaeological sites is important, but any work that is done there is only ever site specific.
With respect, the metal detectorist, or electrically aided field walker, enhanced field walker, cyberwalker..sorry getting carried away there...
... ok the metal detectorist is actually capable of providing so much more than site specific information... working in conjunction with yourselves we could help fill in the gaps in between the sites, building up a much larger picture of the wider locale.
I know this is being done to some degree by recording with the PAS but it is mainly an unstructured accumulation of data... its a shame that recording could not be promoted more locally with more local archaeologists talking to local detectorists and asking for specific finds information on areas surrounding specific sites..
Again familiartity breeds acceptance.
The Valetta Convention is obviously, from the detectorist point of view seen as a potential threat to the hobby.
Actions?.. unfortunately the only 'representative' organisation that the hobby has makes it abundantly clear that it speaks only for its members. I personally find this irresponsible, as it has a duty to the hobby as whole.
In the main there is no one focal point for the hobby, so any actions taken are going to be fregmented.
This is why I have stated several times both here ands elsewhere (as have others) that an organisation, not necessarily politically active, but certainly progressive needs to be constructed to promote good practice and set standards from within the hobby.
I agree that banning the hobby would lose some skilful help to the archaeologist, but metal detecting, the hobby, does not just have its uses there.
Working alongside excavators on archaeological sites is important, but any work that is done there is only ever site specific.
With respect, the metal detectorist, or electrically aided field walker, enhanced field walker, cyberwalker..sorry getting carried away there...
... ok the metal detectorist is actually capable of providing so much more than site specific information... working in conjunction with yourselves we could help fill in the gaps in between the sites, building up a much larger picture of the wider locale.I know this is being done to some degree by recording with the PAS but it is mainly an unstructured accumulation of data... its a shame that recording could not be promoted more locally with more local archaeologists talking to local detectorists and asking for specific finds information on areas surrounding specific sites..
Again familiartity breeds acceptance.
The Valetta Convention is obviously, from the detectorist point of view seen as a potential threat to the hobby.
Actions?.. unfortunately the only 'representative' organisation that the hobby has makes it abundantly clear that it speaks only for its members. I personally find this irresponsible, as it has a duty to the hobby as whole.
In the main there is no one focal point for the hobby, so any actions taken are going to be fregmented.
This is why I have stated several times both here ands elsewhere (as have others) that an organisation, not necessarily politically active, but certainly progressive needs to be constructed to promote good practice and set standards from within the hobby.