21st December 2005, 10:59 PM
PMP and The Invisible Man (TIM is much easier to type.....
). Would the recording of finds by MD's on PAS or the UKDFD be considered acceptable?
I fully understand (now) the reason why archaeologists have been upset (for some an understatement) about the removal of artefacts from the ground. But had this information been bestowed upon detectorists 30 years ago, instead of the jumping up and down, rending of tank-tops and screaming about thieves etc, then, in almost the same breath, declaring that items found in the topsoil were of no use because they were "out of context", I believe there would be a much better relationship between us.
But this is the case when a MD uses a trowel or small spade. What would the cry out be like if the MD used a mini-digger (let alone a full size one)? The most (in)famous example being the Time Team.
We (MD's) are getting contradictory information from the archaeologists. A metal item found in the topsoil either is, or is not, important in research. If it is important, then why use a JCB to strip off the topsoil in preparation for a dig?If it isn't important, why are detectorists getting grief because they have taken what they found?
). Would the recording of finds by MD's on PAS or the UKDFD be considered acceptable?I fully understand (now) the reason why archaeologists have been upset (for some an understatement) about the removal of artefacts from the ground. But had this information been bestowed upon detectorists 30 years ago, instead of the jumping up and down, rending of tank-tops and screaming about thieves etc, then, in almost the same breath, declaring that items found in the topsoil were of no use because they were "out of context", I believe there would be a much better relationship between us.
But this is the case when a MD uses a trowel or small spade. What would the cry out be like if the MD used a mini-digger (let alone a full size one)? The most (in)famous example being the Time Team.
We (MD's) are getting contradictory information from the archaeologists. A metal item found in the topsoil either is, or is not, important in research. If it is important, then why use a JCB to strip off the topsoil in preparation for a dig?If it isn't important, why are detectorists getting grief because they have taken what they found?