28th December 2005, 04:00 PM
Which happily leads to cooperation... 
if detectorists feel that they can learn from understanding stratigraphy (a few archs could do with that as well ) 
at least to the level of recognising topsoil / subsoil division... and archaeologists could be aided by the recognition of artefact scatters that in many cases will be removed by topsoiling to better aid the investigation of a site.
I have previously suggested that different types of sites require different approaches.
SAM sites for example are off limits to everyone unless a comprehensive research and investigation strtegy has been prepared and agreed with the National Bodies.. a rare occurance.
Known Sites... most of these sites are 'protected' by other schemes such as CSS / RSS schemes. But there is an arguement that says that artefact recovery - if recorded - by any group would be benefial to future management / understanding / protection... if the site is under threat (such as ploughing)
Unknown sites - many new sites are found by amatuers and detectorists... and there location, artefacts and stratigraphy would be better served by the relevant county archaeologist being aware of them... after all we can't protect or advise on sites we don't know about - (this leads into the concept of allowing detectorists to continue work on these sites based on specifically agreed guidelines... after all... if every time a detectorist finds a site and reports it.. and the only result is a quick thanks and they are then banned from it - it is hardly a reward for hard work and honesty)
We both have opportunities to pool resources and share information... the question is how....
if detectorists feel that they can learn from understanding stratigraphy (a few archs could do with that as well ) at least to the level of recognising topsoil / subsoil division... and archaeologists could be aided by the recognition of artefact scatters that in many cases will be removed by topsoiling to better aid the investigation of a site.I have previously suggested that different types of sites require different approaches.
SAM sites for example are off limits to everyone unless a comprehensive research and investigation strtegy has been prepared and agreed with the National Bodies.. a rare occurance.
Known Sites... most of these sites are 'protected' by other schemes such as CSS / RSS schemes. But there is an arguement that says that artefact recovery - if recorded - by any group would be benefial to future management / understanding / protection... if the site is under threat (such as ploughing)
Unknown sites - many new sites are found by amatuers and detectorists... and there location, artefacts and stratigraphy would be better served by the relevant county archaeologist being aware of them... after all we can't protect or advise on sites we don't know about - (this leads into the concept of allowing detectorists to continue work on these sites based on specifically agreed guidelines... after all... if every time a detectorist finds a site and reports it.. and the only result is a quick thanks and they are then banned from it - it is hardly a reward for hard work and honesty)
We both have opportunities to pool resources and share information... the question is how....