New code of practice

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PhilD
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New code of practice

Post by PhilD »

The code of practice has been updated see; https://finds.org.uk/getinvolved/guides/codeofpractice

Text as follows;

Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales (2017)
If undertaken responsibly metal-detecting can make an important contribution to archaeological knowledge. This document aims to provide guidance for metal-detectorists who wish to contribute to our understanding of the history of England and Wales. It combines both the requirements of finders under the law, as well as more general voluntary guidance on accepted best practice.

Being responsible means:

Before you go metal-detecting
Not trespassing; before you start detecting obtain permission to search from the landowner, regardless of the status, or perceived status, of the land. Remember that all land (including parks, public open-spaces, beaches and foreshores) has an owner and an occupier (such as a tenant farmer) can only grant permission with both the landowner's and tenant's agreement. Any finds discovered will normally be the property of the landowner, so to avoid disputes it is advisable to get permission and agreement in writing first regarding the ownership of any finds subsequently discovered.
Obeying the law concerning protected sites (such as those defined as Scheduled Monuments, Sites of Special Scientific Interest or military crash sites, and those involving human remains), and also those other sites on which metal-detecting might also be restricted (such as land under Countryside Stewardship or other agri-environment schemes). You can obtain details of these sites from several sources, including the landowner/occupier, your local Finds Liaison Officer or Historic Environment Record or at http://www.magic.gov.uk / https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/ http://cadw.gov.wales - which will help research and better understand the site. Take extra care when detecting near protected sites since it is not always clear where the boundaries of these lie on the ground.
Familiarising yourself with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (including contact details for your local Finds Liaison Officer - see http://www.finds.org.uk / 0207 323 8611), and its guidance on the recording of archaeological finds discovered by the public; make it clear to the landowner that you wish to record finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Ensure that you follow current conservation advice on the handling, care and storage of archaeological objects (see https://finds.org.uk/conservation/index).
Obtaining public liability insurance (to protect yourself and others from accidental damage), such as that offered by the National Council for Metal-Detecting or the Federation of Independent Detectorists.
While you are metal-detecting

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 pasture, be careful to ensure that no damage is done to the archaeological value of the land, including earthworks. Avoid damaging stratified archaeological deposits (that is to say, finds that seem to be in the place where they were deposited in antiquity) and minimise any ground disturbance through the use of suitable tools and by reinstating any ground and turf as neatly as possible.
Stopping any digging and making the landowner aware that you are seeking expert help if you discover something below the ploughsoil, or a concentration of finds or unusual material, or wreck remains. Your local Finds Liaison Officer may be able to help or will be able to advise on an appropriate person. Reporting the find does not change your rights of discovery, but will result in far more archaeological evidence being recovered.
Recording findspots as accurately as possible for all archaeological finds (i.e. to at least a one ten metre square - an 8-Figure National Grid Reference), using a hand-held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) device whilst in the field or a 1:25000 scale map if this is not possible. Bag finds individually, recording the National Grid Reference on the bag with a waterproof/indelible marker. Archaeologists are interested in learning about all archaeological finds you discover, not just metallic items, because such finds contribute to knowledge.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... yside-code).
After you have been metal-detecting

Reporting all archaeological finds to the relevant landowner/occupier; and making it clear to the landowner that you wish to record archaeological finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, so the information can pass into the local Historic Environment Record. Both the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers Union support the reporting of finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Details of your local Finds Liaison Officer can be found at https://finds.org.uk/contacts, e-mail info@finds.org.uk or phone 020 7323 8611.
Abiding by the statutory provisions of the Treasure Act 1996, the Treasure Act Code of Practice (www.finds.org.uk/treasure) and wreck law (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ard-agency). If you wish to take artefacts and archaeological material older than 50 years old out of the UK, you will require an export licence (http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/). If you need advice your local Finds Liaison Officer will be able to help you.
Calling the Police (101), and notifying the landowner/occupier, if you find any traces of human remains or a likely burial; human remains can only be disturbed further with a Home Office licence (https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-an-exhumation-licence)
Calling the Police or HM Coastguard, and notifying the landowner/occupier, if you find anything that may be a live explosive, device or other ordnance. Do not attempt to move or interfere with any such explosives.
Calling the Police if you notice any illegal activity whilst out metal-detecting, such as theft of farm equipment or illegal metal-detecting (nighthawking). Further details can be found by contacting Historic England/Cadw or the 'heritage crime' contact within your local police force.
Finding out more about archaeology and metal detecting

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. Also the Heritage Gateway - http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk (in England) and Archwilio - http://www.archwilio.org.uk (in Wales).
For further information about the recording and reporting or finds discovered by the public and the Treasure Act 1996 contact the Portable Antiquities Scheme (www.finds.org.uk / info@finds.org.uk / 0207 323 8611).
For further information about how you can become involved in archaeology contact the Council for British Archaeology (www.archaeologyuk.org / 01904 671417). They can also supply details of local archaeology societies.
You can find out about metal detecting via the National Council for Metal Detecting (www.ncmd.co.uk) or the Federation of Independent Detectorists (www.fid.org.uk).
Revised 23 October 2017

This Code has been endorsed by: Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum of Wales / PAS Cymru, Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers, British Museum / Portable Antiquities Scheme, Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, Council for British Archaeology, Country Land & Business Association, Institute for Archaeology (University College London), Historic England, National Farmers Union, Royal Commission on the Historical & Ancient Monuments of Wales, Society of Museum Archaeologists.
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Old Git John
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Re: New code of practice

Post by Old Git John »

Thank you Phil, it is overdue.
I used to have an issue regarding having an inferiority complex, I no longer have an issue with being inferior.

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Re: New code of practice

Post by JBM »

Excellent post for all detectorists and farmers/Landowners. :g58: :g50: Jerry.
WHRADA Member.
NCMD member WR.

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Re: New code of practice

Post by PhilD »

Some important points in the paragraph below re using GPS where possible, stopping digging below the plough layer and the FLO naming someone who can help recover the find, also to report non metallic (surface) finds. I notice the NCMD haven't signed on to it, will they do so later?

Stopping any digging and making the landowner aware that you are seeking expert help if you discover something below the ploughsoil, or a concentration of finds or unusual material, or wreck remains. Your local Finds Liaison Officer may be able to help or will be able to advise on an appropriate person. Reporting the find does not change your rights of discovery, but will result in far more archaeological evidence being recovered.

Recording findspots as accurately as possible for all archaeological finds (i.e. to at least a one ten metre square - an 8-Figure National Grid Reference), using a hand-held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) device whilst in the field or a 1:25000 scale map if this is not possible.

Bag finds individually, recording the National Grid Reference on the bag with a waterproof/indelible marker. Archaeologists are interested in learning about all archaeological finds you discover, not just metallic items, because such finds contribute to knowledge.
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Re: New code of practice

Post by Old Git John »

All good points Phil, it is of course down to the honesty, and awareness of the codes of practice which are in standing at any one time, to act in an appropriate manner. That sounds a tad loose in its wording, however, each and every person who may find
ancient/old items, MUST remember that "lack of knowledge" is NOT acceptable as an excuse in any court in the United Kingdom, and such use of it could and would result in a person being found guilty of an offence within the bounds of the appropriate Act
relating to the case in hand. Please remember that, it is possible to purchase a copy of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act
from any good store such as WH. Smith, otherwise referred to as PACE. It will not be cheap, it was never intended to be, however, the publication covers a wide range of subjects "legal", and will if nothing else give honest folk, as well as those not so,
a good understanding of how the laws of the land can and will affect people. It is not heavy reading, and never was intended to be, even your average, hard working police officer needs to understand the document.
I used to have an issue regarding having an inferiority complex, I no longer have an issue with being inferior.

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Re: New code of practice

Post by jcmaloney »

There are still a couple of points to clarify with some partners concerning arable "known battlefields" which, as we all know, are very ephemeral things.
Once the details are clarified I`m sure the NCMD will re-visit and democratically decide to officially endorse or not.
We need to be mindful that this CoP will feed into the forthcoming Rally CoP and, by default, the long overdue review of the Treasure Act.

With the Rally CoP "next on the list" their maybe a conflict of interest in other representative bodies, being members and posters on here I`m sure they will comment as & when they see fit.

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Re: New code of practice

Post by PhilD »

Thanks for that John :g50:
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Re: New code of practice

Post by PhilD »

I still have a problem with this statement;

''Stopping any digging and making the landowner aware that you are seeking expert help if you discover something below the ploughsoil, or a concentration of finds or unusual material, or wreck remains. Your local Finds Liaison Officer may be able to help or will be able to advise on an appropriate person. Reporting the find does not change your rights of discovery, but will result in far more archaeological evidence being recovered''.

This sounded good with the FLO ''may be able to help or will be able to advise on an appropriate person'', goody someone will come and dig it up in an expert manner.

But there are problems with this;
Many hoards are found at weekend.
You won't be able to contact the FLO to help as they don't work weekends.
You will have to wait till Monday and return there.
You will then have to wait until the archaeologist arrives.
You will have to protect the find in the meanwhile (leaving farm machinery on top of it?).

So what happens if it turns out to be a big lump of iron?
All that trouble time and expence you and others have gone through.

If you were allowed to make a minor insertion below the plough soil to check if it justified needing professional help to be recovered surely that would be better?
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Re: New code of practice

Post by Jellytussle »

I would read that 'Discover something below the ploughsoil' as meaning you were confident that it was something other than a 'big lump of old iron'. I remember a couple of years ago getting my local archaeology group (which I'm a member of, which helps) out on a Sunday because I'd got a banging signal below the ploughline in a location where I'd found a scatter of over 20 4th century nummi. I thought I'd located the pot with the hoard - what we excavated, very carefully, was a fencepost with copper wire wrapped round it.

The sort of mistake you only make once, and I doubt (now I've got my bus pass) that I'll be alive long enough to live it down :g48:

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