21st July 2006, 10:51 AM
It seems quite clear to me and looks like a v positive thing. Well done David. 'Our Portable Past' is a model for cooperation in the context of field archaeology and survey programmes - not Metal Detecting Rallys which are a quite different animal. I see no contradiction here, and our local FLO regularly attends these events (when invited) to make sure that what ever is found is recorded. Surely it would be much worse if this were to go ahead without any involvement from David et al. Obviously you don't need a metal detector to locate flint scatters, but a load of people systematically waling across a ploughed field with metal detectors in their hands could (if they knew what to look for) locate flint scatters. In recording flint scatters you generally make a record of both "the finds" as well as their context otherwise it is meaningless - i.e. is it Mesolithic or a scatter of gun flints! I doubt that either the CBA, PAS or BAJR have 'organised' this rally - I would suggest that it is organised by detectorists. However, what do you suggest? That the archaeologists just stand by and tut or that they at least try to get something positive out of what is after all a perfectly legal activity? Finally, as you've seen to edit your question to which this is my response I thought I would. But nothing has changed. Tut. 