Tense Truce Between Detectorists and Archaeologist

[Barbados_Rum]

Not a very good article for detectorists from Mary Shepperson, writing in the Guardian.....

https://www.theguardian.com/science/201 ... gdnscience

After all the good work detectorists have done we still get negative press. Even the article she writes relates to how the PAS have celebrated a record year in 2016 for recorded finds.

Miss Shepperson specialises in Near Eastern archaeology working in Iraq. I do hope she isn't drawing a parallel between ISIS destroying major archaeological monuments in the Near East and a handful of criminal detectorists in the UK?
I'm sure she does some great work out there but surprised that she has taken the stance that the Guardian is promoting metal-detecting.

A final quote from the article: "So, if you’ve recently taken up metal detecting and meet your local archaeologists down the pub this Christmas, you shouldn’t necessarily expect them to buy you a drink."

I'm more than certain that the FLO's and archaeologists I know would be the first to but us a drink.

Enjoy.

[dig-it-pete]

Yes it begs the question do we ( the honest) detectorists get the respect and recognition we deserve for finding some of the most amazing and stunning finds that this country has ever seen? and most of the spectacular and important finds are acquired by British museums for everyone to enjoy.

Answers on a post card please

[Jellytussle]

I thought it was quite a balanced report. Criminals with detectors are a scourge, and there are an awful lot of them, and anyone pretending that all detectorists are responsible is living in cloud cuckoo land. I have 6 permissions, and 4 of them are regularly targeted by abusive thugs with detectors.

[meandmydreams]

I agree with Jellytussle. A balanced report with nothing new to report.

[IronRon]

Ninety % of the greatest finds in museums have been found by the public ..mostly by detectorists..
Is she saying that archeologists hate detectorist..& still see us as a threat..i don't believe it ! I thought we left that old argument behind years ago.

Still if you read it in the guardian.. I surpose its got to be true ..

[tomredmayne]

I agree with JellyTussle and Clive, a balanced presentation that pretty-much lays it out as it is on a National basis. Individuals may well have very good relations with the heritage sector, I do myself, but there is still an undercurrent of distrust on both sides from some quarters and we cannot hide from that fact. There are wrong 'uns out there (on both sides). We, as responsible and like-minded detectorists, will all continue to promote the good relationships we have with our own archaeological friends and colleagues and hope that it will eventually be encompassed by all on both sides of the hypothetical fence!

[ageezer]

didnt realise there was a standoff ..

[Barbados_Rum]

Thank you for your replies to this post.

I found that out of the 17 paragraphs in the Guardians article, only one paragraph was actually positive and that was paragraph 12.

Unless I read the article wrongly, please can someone explain the other 16 paragraphs and show me where this article is balanced?
Most of the paragraphs repeat what has already been said in the 70's, 80's and 90's.

We all know there are nighthawkers, criminals, scumbags or whatever name you want to call the minority of the detecting community.
This cannot be helped and trying to "control", "licence", "police" or "restrict" metal-detectorists will not work as you will still have the same idiots in the above sentence in existence.

Indeed, The British Museum have recently released a presentation by Michael Lewis who actually acknowledges and respects how metal-detectorists have actively contributed to the success of PAS and how instrumental they are to the recording of items and sites that have changed the history books.

Paul

[centurian]

Well put B R , yes once an idiot always an idiot or scumbag as you mention.

[IronRon]

You could also call what archaeologist do.. digging up the dead as grave robbery..but that's ok then because they are archaeologists superior beings who are allowed to do so because they are interlectualy cleverer than joe blogs who plods the fields in all weathers for little reward..

I have nothing against archaeologist I have had great rapore with them over the years ,& have had many a pint with them..
I for one don't believe in disturbing graves. RIP. means what it says in my book. But that is just my opinion!
Sounds like sour grapes .. on her part ,,Another Paul Barford..?

[tomredmayne]

because they are archaeologists superior beings who are allowed to do so because they are interlectualy cleverer than joe blogs who plods the fields in all weathers for little reward..

Thanks for that. I plod the fields in all weathers for little, or no, reward because I am a detectorist and proud to represent our hobby. I also have a degree and have been published with a FRG Datasheet which, in some people's eyes, makes me an archaeologist. I, in no way, regard myself as intellectually more clever than anyone else on this forum but strive to bring both camps together and represent all the people that care about and influence our archaeological landscape, detectorists and archaeologists alike. Many archaeologists sing the praises of us detectorists and do not deserve to be scathingly called "superior beings". It is this sort of comment that causes rifts and divides that our hobby can do without. I grew up on a farm and was the first of my family to have an "education". I was proud to have done this and my family were proud of me because of it. I have been the butt of many comments over the years about being "superior" and do not respond well to them....as you can see. Take the wider view and everybody's opinions before judging. That is all I have to say on the matter.

[Rich-t]

I heard an insightful comment at church the other week - ''our attitude is more important than our opinion''.............

[tomredmayne]

I heard an insightful comment at church the other week - ''our attitude is more important than our opinion''.............

My attitude is that I strive to bring divisive sides together whilst maintaining a dialogue between them. My opinion is that some people can easily divide these same groups without considering the consequences. Which is more important?

[tomredmayne]

I think you have started an interesting, but probably necessary, debate on the subject Paul......

[Barbados_Rum]

because they are archaeologists superior beings who are allowed to do so because they are interlectualy cleverer than joe blogs who plods the fields in all weathers for little reward..

Thanks for that. I plod the fields in all weathers for little, or no, reward because I am a detectorist and proud to represent our hobby. I also have a degree and have been published with a FRG Datasheet which, in some people's eyes, makes me an archaeologist. I, in no way, regard myself as intellectually more clever than anyone else on this forum but strive to bring both camps together and represent all the people that care about and influence our archaeological landscape, detectorists and archaeologists alike. Many archaeologists sing the praises of us detectorists and do not deserve to be scathingly called "superior beings". It is this sort of comment that causes rifts and divides that our hobby can do without. I grew up on a farm and was the first of my family to have an "education". I was proud to have done this and my family were proud of me because of it. I have been the butt of many comments over the years about being "superior" and do not respond well to them....as you can see. Take the wider view and everybody's opinions before judging. That is all I have to say on the matter.

Hi Ron and Tom,

I have full respect for both you guys and will always take on board your comments as other members.

The gist of this post was to highlight an article in the Guardian that I thought was biased against metal-detectorists.
My initial reaction was anger at this, as we have all done so much to try and close the gap between detectorists and archaeologists.

I would think that intellectual acumen shouldn't and can't play any part in this discussion.
We all have differing levels of intellect, experience and passion.

Getting back on track, I re-iterate my initial concerns that the article is severely flawed against detectorists.
As I say, I need to speak with Mary Shepperson to ascertain the basis of her opinion regarding the content of her article.
It is as though we have been transported back to the 1970's which I hope will be re-addressed and bring ua all back into the C21st century.

I heard an insightful comment at church the other week - ''our attitude is more important than our opinion''.............

My attitude is that I strive to bring divisive sides together whilst maintaining a dialogue between them. My opinion is that some people can easily divide these same groups without considering the consequences. Which is more important?

I think you have started an interesting, but probably necessary, debate on the subject Paul......

Wow, just as I was about to post other comments have been posted lol!

Tom, your attitude is great, I just hope mine is not far behind you!
I'm sure that this post will attract further interest looking at the responses so far.

I sincerely want to write to Mary Shepperson and look forward to the outcome of that communication.