Arches and Mdrs getting along ????

[pegleglooker]

Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

OOOOO MMMMYYYY !!!!!!

Does anyone know anything else about this

PLL

Archaeologists and amateurs agree pact
Maev Kennedy The Guardian,
Tuesday May 2 2006 Article historyThe acquisition by the British Museum of a thumbnail-sized chunk of battered inscribed gold - a very rare runic inscription, probably hacked up by Vikings centuries after it was made - marks a historic truce between archaeologists and metal detectors after decades of skirmishing.
While amateur users of metal detectors have made some of the most spectacular archaeological finds of recent years, many archaeologists have regarded them as little better than hobby looters.

Now, after months of negotiation, the two sides are set to announce a code of conduct. The code, which will be launched at the British Museum today, has been agreed by all the main metal detector clubs, landowners, archaeologists, museums, archaeological societies and English Heritage. "This is the end of the war between the archaeologists and the detectorists," said Roger Bland, an archaeologist seconded by the British Museum to head the Portable Antiquities scheme, which encourages voluntary reporting of finds. "There is a long history of antagonism and suspicion, but once all parties have signed up to this we believe this is a real way forward."

The code commits metal detector users - there are an estimated 180,000 in Britain - to working only in the top layer of disturbed ground such as ploughed fields, with the landowner's permission, reporting all finds, and stopping immediately and calling in expert help if anything significant turns up.

The code of conduct will not satisfy some archaeologists, who would like to see metal detectors licensed or better still banned.

Geoff Wainwright, former chief archaeologist at English Heritage, said: "Whichever way you code it, what people are actually doing is removing objects from their archaeological context, losing the priceless information which would be gained from proper excavation."

The little piece of gold which the British Museum is acquiring was found near Colchester in Essex by Corinne Mills, an amateur who has set up her own website campaign for responsible detecting.

Detector successes

 

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[pegleglooker]

Re: Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

Here's the code... I think...

PLL

Being responsible means:


Before you go metal-detecting

1. Not trespassing; before you start detecting obtain permission to search from the landowner/occupier, regardless of the status, or perceived status, of the land. Remember that all land has an owner. To avoid subsequent disputes it is always advisable to get per- mission and agreement in writing first regarding the ownership of any finds subsequently discovered (see www.cla.org.uk / www.nfuonline.com).
2. Adhering to the laws concerning protected sites (e.g. those defined as Scheduled Monuments or Sites of Special Scientific Interest: you can obtain details of these from the landowner/occupier, Finds Liaison Officer, Historic Environment Record or at www. magic.gov.uk). Take extra care when detecting near protected sites: for example, it is not always clear where the boundaries lie on the ground.
3. You are strongly recommended to join a metal detecting club or association that en- courages co-operation and responsive exchanges with other responsible heritage groups. Details of metal detecting organisations can be found at www.ncmd.co.uk / www.fid. newbury.net.
4. Familiarising yourself with and following current conservation advice on the handling, care and storage of archaeological objects (see www.finds.org.uk).

While you are metal-detecting

5. Wherever possible working on ground that has already been disturbed (such as ploughed land or that which has formerly been ploughed), and only within the depth of ploughing. If detecting takes place on undisturbed pasture, be careful to ensure that no damage is done to the archaeological value of the land, including earthworks.
6. Minimising any ground disturbance through the use of suitable tools and by reinstat- ing any excavated material as neatly as possible. Endeavour not to damage stratified archaeological deposits.
7. Recording findspots as accurately as possible for all finds (i.e. to at least a one hundred metre square, using an Ordnance Survey map or hand-held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) device) whilst in the field. Bag finds individually and record the National Grid Ref- erence (NGR) on the bag. Findspot information should not be passed on to other parties without the agreement of the landowner/occupier (see also clause 9). 8. Respecting the Country Code (leave gates and property as you find them and do not damage crops, frighten animals, or disturb ground nesting birds, and dispose properly of litter: see www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk).


After you have been metal-detecting

9. Reporting any finds to the relevant landowner/occupier; and (with the agreement of the landowner/occupier) to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, so the information can pass into the local Historic Environment Record. Both the Country Land and Business Associa- tion (www.cla.org.uk) and the National Farmers Union (www.nfuonline.com) support the reporting of finds. Details of your local Finds Liaison Officer can be found at www.finds. org.uk, e-mail [email protected] or phone 020 7323 8611.
10. Abiding by the provisions of the Treasure Act and Treasure Act Code of Practice (www. finds.org.uk),
wreck law (www.mcga.gov.uk) and export licensing (www.mla.gov.uk). If you need advice your local Finds Liaison Officer will be able to help you.
11. Seeking expert help if you discover something large below the ploughsoil, or a con- centration of finds or unusual material, or wreck remains, and ensuring that the land- owner/occupier's permission is obtained to do so. Your local Finds Liaison Officer may be able to help or will be able to advise of an appropriate person. Reporting the find does not change your rights of discovery, but will result in far more archaeological evidence being discovered.
12. Calling the Police, and notifying the landowner/occupier, if you find any traces of hu- man remains. 13. Calling the Police or HM Coastguard, and notifying the landowner/occupier, if you find anything that may be a live explosive: do not use a metal-detector or mobile phone nearby as this might trigger an explosion. Do not attempt to move or interfere with any such explosives.

Finding out more about archaeology

You can find out more about the archaeology of your own area from the Historic Environment Records maintained by local authority archaeology services (in England) and the Welsh archaeological trusts (see contact lists at www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/ show/nav.1549 and www.ggat.org.uk/fourwelshtrusts.htm). For further information contact the Council for British Archaeology (tel 01904 71417 / www.britarch.ac.uk) who can also supply details of local archaeology societies

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

They are still dealing with the "Stick in the Mud " type Archie,
who is bound and determined to be the hotshot in charge.
Sad really, there is so much that each side has to offer.

If the hard core types want the stuff "in context",
they should get up off their books and get out and dig.

Otherwise they need to keep quiet.
At least the detectorists are staying within the law.

(I hope just one pariah type archie reads this post)
Maybe see some light.

Thom

 

[pegleglooker]

Re: Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

It all begins with baby steps... from " both " sides. One must crawl before one walks...

PLL

 

[deepskyal]

Re: Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

I agree...baby steps is what it takes to get along ...but...

Seems they still have little tolerance.

Stop detecting if you find anything significant? In a plowed field? To preserve it's place of historic context?

How many years has that field been plowed? What tiniest clue do any of the archies have that some relics lay in the ground?

While archies go for the big historic sites, metal detectorist's go one step further out of necessity because the archies have closed off the "known" sites. And then they want to take the plowed field too with their cooperation.

I agree that historic finds should probably be reported, particularly when the ground begins providing enough clues that something major lies within the area. But fields that have been plowed for centuries or even decades......whatever historic context might have been there at some time is now grossly distorted, damaged and scattered.

For the most part, their code of conduct seems fair. Mark the site with GPS if possible, bag it, preserve it, report it...and so on. But stop detecting so they can resume excavations...well that just takes the fun out of the whole hobby.

Al

 

[pegleglooker]

Re: Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

Hello deepskyai,
You bring up a couple things that I think " most " Mdr's would agree. But now try to look at it from the other side. If someone finds " relics " and isn't trained in how to look or properly dig at the site, then things could be harder or even lost for the Arche's. Let's face it, not ALL Mdr's approach a site the same. Maybe the arche's should hold small classes ( or put something on you tube ) so we can learn what to look for and how to approach it. I believe we should be like England and have arche's assigned to each geographic area. That way you can get to know the locale arche and he can get to know you. He would have a general idea of the local sites and the two of us could work together to find more. This would probably anger some mdr's but like I have said before I don'have any or all the answers. It would take a team of each party to sit across from each other and through delicate dialogue try to find a mid point. Some arche's feel they have the establisment behind them and " some " feel they don't HAVE to do anything for us... Just like " some " Mdr's believe that ANYTHING they find belongs to them. BOTH sides have to compromise, that means arche's and mdr's need to find a " common " ground. Where that ground is or how we get there I don't know... But I for one am willing to at least start the talking and see where it goes from there...

PLL

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Arche's and Mdr's getting along ?

I do believe that common ground is the best way to go.

but the Archie must be willing after all the ridicule to make the first big consessions.

1, first and foremost a find by the amateur is credited to the amateur not the Archie.
2, The amateur is just that, an amateur, this doesn't make him stupid.
3, The Archie needs to conform to the same standard code of ethics the Treasure hunter uses.
First and foremost ... when done digging , FILL THE HOLE. ( this should be retroactive !)
This is my second biggest gripe with archies, they just go dig and leave ....I mean they go away and leave the hole the piles of dirt the piles of gravel the garbage and even sometimes their tools.
4, Respect has to work both ways, so drop the hoity toity attitude, you are people just like we are.
and we have been treated badly and worse for longer that we have not trusted in you, the Archie.
If the Archies want total cooperation from the THer, make the effort .... please.


Just a couple suggestions.
Thom