Metal detecting is legal in England and Wales as long as the owner of the land has granted permission, the area is not a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or designated under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, and the site is not a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Despite these restrictions amateur archaeologists have a lot of land from which to choose, and metal detectorists are vital to the English and Welsh archaeological record. Their importance was demonstrated at the launch of the most recent Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and Treasure Act reports, held at London's British Museum on the 15th December.
Professional vs Amateur
There are many countries where metal detectoring is illegal, or more strictly regulated than in England and Wales, so that everything found is found by professionals who will report it. The PAS and the Treasure Act exist to ensure as far as possible that UK archaeology can benefit from both professional and amateur finds - particularly important as professional archaeologists are unable to access private land without evidence that it could be archaeologically significant. Amateur archaeologists provide that evidence.
Legal vs Voluntary
Under the PAS, private metal detectorists are asked to report any potentially interesting archaeological artifacts to local Finds Liaison Officers, though they're under no legal obligation to do so. 'Finds' have led to the discovery of important archaeological sites, but even a single item can add considerably to our knowledge. One coin can indicate a trade path we were previously unaware of; one piece of jewellery could suggest a nearby workshop, or that a person of status came through the area.
The PAS exists to fill gaps left by the 1996 Treasure Act, a law that requires finders of 'treasure' to report findings within two weeks so that a coroner can assess it and determine whether or not it belongs in a museum. Because the legal definition of treasure is specific, a lot of interesting and valuable finds would be left unrecorded without the PAS.
This would leave a huge gap in the record. The 2011 PAS report details 90,099 finds in 2010 alone; since the Scheme started in 1997 there have been 750,000 'finds' across England and Wales. All 'finds' remain in the legal ownership of the land owner.
Viking Hoard
Treasure only returns to the finder if a museum is unwilling or unable to buy it. The British Museum has acquired some spectacular artifacts as a result of metal detectorists, including the Silverdale Hoard, discovered in North Lancashire in September 2011 by local man Darren Webster.
The hoard contains 201 silver objects, including a previously unrecorded coin type inscribed with the name Harthacnut, thought to be an otherwise unknown Viking ruler. The hoard has been dated to 900 - 910AD.
It is possible to determine a lot from a hoard like this. We know that the items come from various Viking periods, and the combination of Anglo-Saxon, Frankish, Anglo-Viking and Islamic influences on the coins and jewellery indicate diverse cultural contacts and a wide trade network. The arm rings – most likely male jewellery – were a symbol of both social and warrior status.
Negative Press
Despite the continuing success of the PAS and the Treasure Act, we can safely assume that not everything that gets found gets reported. A recent news story in the British press has put metal detectoring in a bad light, after coins went 'missing' following a fundraiser for a Scout troop.
'Lucky'?
It's arguable whether restricting archaeology to the professionals adds more to countries' knowledge of their past. The British Museum's Director Neil MacGregor certainly believes that England and Wales are 'lucky' to have the PAS.
Jennie Gillions - Jennie Gillions has a History and Archaeology degree. She is a published writer with particular interests in art, history and mental ...
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