3rd February 2012, 03:03 PM
geo Wrote:Yes a finite resource destroyed daily by a lot of factors beyond your control so you go for the one easy option and jump on the " lets ban metal detecting" bandwagon without ever considering of how best to utilise that interest and resource to a mutual benefit. Seems to me that you would be happier in the utopia you seek where the commercial world can destroy the archaeological resource and particularly the casual loss one without record just so no one else without the right degree or background can find it. Its easier to blame someone else and for many detecting is always seen as an easy option rather than taking a closer look at the whole picture of loss and damage.
Ah the old antiquities chestnut again - i have been around long enough to know that the market was well supplied with material long before the advent of and common use of metal detectors. I suppose there are different perceptions today with collecting of antiquities now available to the man in the street and is no longer the preserve of the academic elite.
Yes we do see things differently and for me i take a more pragmatic view based on experience.
On the contrary, I too am opposed to archaeology being confined to the ivory tower. Thats precisely my point earlier about vetting new archaeologists and opening up the field. What I didn't make clear was that I prefer an increase in community involvement alongside an experienced archaeologist. I think this should be a point of pride for Britain as there is far more of this here than back home in the states, where there is almost no concern/ educational initiative for awareness.
You mention the commercial world, I assume you mean commercial archaeology. Maybe it is my lack of experience with commercial archaeology, but I have always been of the impression that commercial archaeology is quite systematic but lacks in its concern for publication. Technically there is no loss here as the material should be stored and kept safely with records kept somewhere. You can't possibly argue that metal detectoring is good for the safe recording and upkeep of artifacts as 99% of what is found end up horded in a box tucked away in someones house. Compared to the amount of detectoring done on any sunny day in Britain, publicized finds are rare. How is this better?
It just occurred to me that you think I mean metal detectors should be banned even for use by experienced archaeologists - which of course would be foolish. Perhaps the issue could be resolved by a mandatory course leading to an issued license for those interested. Regardless, you aren't going to convince me that amateur excavations done for profit are a good idea.
And re: the antiquities market. Just because there already exists a market with items in circulation with no provenance for years before metal detectoring, doesn't make it alright. Its fundamentally unethical and plundering has been the result of a huge loss of information throughout the years. I dont even know what you are trying to prove by bringing experience into it.