Metal detecting and the Gabii Project

[tomredmayne]

Back in 2008-2010, several metal detectorists from the UK were asked to participate in a major archaeological dig in Italy, the ancient city of Gabii about 10 miles from Rome itself. There were several UKDN forum members involved, myself included. Two of the archaelogical team then went on to analyse the contribution of metal detecting to the project and published their findings. What they found was that metal-detection dramatically increased the number of recovered metal finds. Of all metal artefacts, 764 were recovered during excavation, and 1604 during the detection of spoil!

The published document can be seen HERE

Check out the detectorist in the picture................our very own StuE.............

[Puffin]

Nice one guys, more positive results for the pro detectorist camp.

[Nige150]

That's what it's all about. Over 90% of new finds in museums etc are as a result of detecting finds.

[petethedig]

Very good.

[meandmydreams]

Thanks Tom,

It was a great project, I have done a few bits and pieces since then with the local authorities as well as on professional digs. Anyone interested in this sort of work should contact the local environment department and register your interest. It does help if you are a regular recorder with the PAS I might add!
It is quite rewarding as you get to uncover your local history with the archaeoligists blessing!

Clive

[petethedig]

Thanks Tom,

It was a great project, I have done a few bits and pieces since then with the local authorities as well as on professional digs. Anyone interested in this sort of work should contact the local environment department and register your interest. It does help if you are a regular recorder with the PAS I might add!
It is quite rewarding as you get to uncover your local history with the archaeoligists blessing!

Clive

Good point Clive, being both a detectirst and an archaeologist does get you some good digging sometimes...even if you have to hand the finds over

[meandmydreams]

Community archaeology is not about who owns the finds as I am sure you are aware Pete. If I can help on these projects, I do so with pleasure. I certainly wouldn't expect to walk away with the bits I dig up.

Clive

[DoverKev]

Excellent stuff!!!!!. I'm assisting with an archaeological dig next spring in conjunction with a Field School and the County Council

[petethedig]

Community archaeology is not about who owns the finds as I am sure you are aware Pete. If I can help on these projects, I do so with pleasure. I certainly wouldn't expect to walk away with the bits I dig up.

Clive

Hi Clive, I quite agree, but my post was for anyone who has never had the opportunity to work with on on an archaeological dig.

Good luck with yours Kev, they can be some of the most rewarding sites by their very nature and interest.

Do let us know if anyone out there is involved with archaeological digs, we'd love to have some good stories for the Word magazine.

[meandmydreams]

Sorry if my post was not clear Pete...I rechecked it and it doesn't read as I intended. It was meant to be positive.

Clive

[petethedig]

I didn't read it any other way Clive, no worries chum.