7th September 2007, 02:33 PM
Some interesting pionts there wombat and as a detectorist I dont see any reason to take offense either.
As to Vetting I think David has answered this adequately, however as to 'were they all from respected and well known metal detectorist clubs? ' this does not make a detectorist any more credible, the majority of detectorists are independants as I am, I dont feel this has made me any less 'responsible'.
I do wonder though, that if a rally is advertised as being a 'recording' rally, if a ' promise to record' form could be signed by the attendees before they are let in?
OK, I know it is not legally binding and in no way enforces recording of all finds, but it may just help as a reinforcer of the idea.... what do you guys think?
Its a crying shame that your experience was so bad, especially as the hobby is keen to encourage archaeologists to make use of what they have to offer.
As to the number of finds recorded.. it has to be remembered that it really is a misconception that a detectorist will make xxx amount of recordable finds in xxx amount of hours. I myself have gone weeks and put in many hours detecting without a single recordable find coming to light.. and no this doesnt put me off the hobby as I am sure any number of 'dry' sites would not put you off archaeology.
My last batch of recordable finds which have just been returned to me by Liz Wilson (FLO for Sussex) consists of:
1 x small iron cannon ball ( C. 1600 - 1850 AD)
1 x buckle forked spacer (C. 1300 - 1600 AD)
1 x lace chape (C. 1350 - 1750 AD)
1 x Copper Alloy Pot mend (C. 1500 - 1750 AD)
1 x Chichester Trade Token (C. 1600 - 1750 AD)
1 x Incomplete Annular Buckle (C. 1350 -1650 AD)
1 x C.A. Trade Weight (half of) (C. 1500 - 1800 AD)
2 x Musket ball (C. 1600 - 1850 AD)
This represents total recordable finds made over 3 detecting trips. (all recorded with accurate map references.
I have talked to several attendees of the Water Newton rally and in several of those cases most of their finds were indeed non recordable, in that they were mostly modern finds, but they still enjoyed the experience immensely.
David many thanks for the reply, I will pass the info on.
http://www.detector-distribution.co.uk
If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!
Homer (Simpson)
As to Vetting I think David has answered this adequately, however as to 'were they all from respected and well known metal detectorist clubs? ' this does not make a detectorist any more credible, the majority of detectorists are independants as I am, I dont feel this has made me any less 'responsible'.
I do wonder though, that if a rally is advertised as being a 'recording' rally, if a ' promise to record' form could be signed by the attendees before they are let in?
OK, I know it is not legally binding and in no way enforces recording of all finds, but it may just help as a reinforcer of the idea.... what do you guys think?
Its a crying shame that your experience was so bad, especially as the hobby is keen to encourage archaeologists to make use of what they have to offer.
As to the number of finds recorded.. it has to be remembered that it really is a misconception that a detectorist will make xxx amount of recordable finds in xxx amount of hours. I myself have gone weeks and put in many hours detecting without a single recordable find coming to light.. and no this doesnt put me off the hobby as I am sure any number of 'dry' sites would not put you off archaeology.
My last batch of recordable finds which have just been returned to me by Liz Wilson (FLO for Sussex) consists of:
1 x small iron cannon ball ( C. 1600 - 1850 AD)
1 x buckle forked spacer (C. 1300 - 1600 AD)
1 x lace chape (C. 1350 - 1750 AD)
1 x Copper Alloy Pot mend (C. 1500 - 1750 AD)
1 x Chichester Trade Token (C. 1600 - 1750 AD)
1 x Incomplete Annular Buckle (C. 1350 -1650 AD)
1 x C.A. Trade Weight (half of) (C. 1500 - 1800 AD)
2 x Musket ball (C. 1600 - 1850 AD)
This represents total recordable finds made over 3 detecting trips. (all recorded with accurate map references.
I have talked to several attendees of the Water Newton rally and in several of those cases most of their finds were indeed non recordable, in that they were mostly modern finds, but they still enjoyed the experience immensely.
David many thanks for the reply, I will pass the info on.
http://www.detector-distribution.co.uk
If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!
Homer (Simpson)