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What’s Missing? What’s Missing? Reality, Resources and Reality, Resources and Reactions Reactions David Connolly David Connolly (BAJR) (BAJR)

What’S Missing

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What’s Missing? To utilise resources in the most efficient way, one must understand the issues that these resources are trying to address. Gathering the information required to make informed decisions is perhaps the best way to deal with the next step in Portable Antiquities, their place in academic research and public heritage value. Exploring the UK systems and preconceptions, this paper deals with the realities in the field and uses the authors previously gathered information along with statistical analysis that compares the two main processes of artefact collection – detecting and commercial archaeology. Drawing on a wealth of recent analysis and fieldwork, the purpose will be to reassess the directions taken, and argue for a focussed approach that acknowledges both the benefits and harsh realities when it comes to dealing with portable antiquities collection, sale and recording in the UK. The final consideration will be to find ways in which to ensure the maximum recoverable knowledge - which includes the views of the primary source of these items; the detecting community, with proactive contact with all relevant bodies and groups to gain a first hand insight, rather than unworkable impositions.

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Page 1: What’S Missing

What’s Missing?What’s Missing?

Reality, Resources and ReactionsReality, Resources and Reactions

David Connolly David Connolly (BAJR)(BAJR)

Page 2: What’S Missing

What do we already What do we already know?know?

Number of Detectorists in the UK?Number of Detectorists in the UK? 10,000 or 10,000 or 20,000, 30,000, 60,000, 100,000 and 20,000, 30,000, 60,000, 100,000 and

250,000250,000 In 1980 the figure was 180,000In 1980 the figure was 180,000 NCMD figure = 20,000 (1996)NCMD figure = 20,000 (1996)

30,000 detectorists30,000 detectorists (Dobinson/Denison 1995. (Dobinson/Denison 1995. In truth we don’t In truth we don’t

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In the Dark?In the Dark?

Nighthawking ReportNighthawking Report Numbers are unknownNumbers are unknown The scale is unknownThe scale is unknown Conclusions ?Conclusions ? Er… it’ s er…Er… it’ s er…

Common Sense

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Question of Scale.Question of Scale.

23 sites nighthawked in Norfolk Area

10320 Roman sites alone.

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NighthawkingNighthawking ““More work is needed to stop the More work is needed to stop the

loss of our history to thieves. The loss of our history to thieves. The heritage sector has to do more, heritage sector has to do more, and work with farmers and and work with farmers and landowners, with the law landowners, with the law enforcement agencies, and with enforcement agencies, and with legislators. Otherwise it will be too legislators. Otherwise it will be too late. Archaeological finds are, after late. Archaeological finds are, after all, a finite resource.”all, a finite resource.”

Dr Mike Heyworth 2009Dr Mike Heyworth 2009

This is all trueThis is all true But who are missing?But who are missing?

?

Page 6: What’S Missing

Detecting Defensiveness Detecting Defensiveness

The great conspiracy?The great conspiracy? A site can be scheduled, if they record finding a few hammered coinsA site can be scheduled, if they record finding a few hammered coins A reported site will be taken away by archaeologists if you recordA reported site will be taken away by archaeologists if you record Recorded finds are used to prevent detectingRecorded finds are used to prevent detecting CBA intends to ban detecting CBA intends to ban detecting PAS is just a cover for a clever ruse to gather enough information to PAS is just a cover for a clever ruse to gather enough information to

enable politicians to ban detectingenable politicians to ban detecting Detectorists won’t talk to arkies as they won’t listenDetectorists won’t talk to arkies as they won’t listen If you don’t have to record - If you don’t have to record - Parish level recording is adequate (but we don’t mind using 10 figure Parish level recording is adequate (but we don’t mind using 10 figure

references from SMRs)references from SMRs) And on and on……And on and on…… These are now unusual statements and are challenged by These are now unusual statements and are challenged by

other detectorists.other detectorists.

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The Big Rally DebateThe Big Rally Debate Water Newton, Thornborough, Corfe, Water Newton, Thornborough, Corfe,

Stirling Rallies. Stirling Rallies. Some real stats! – From Water NewtonSome real stats! – From Water Newton 320 detectorists over two days320 detectorists over two days 348 coins - 237 artefacts 585 total348 coins - 237 artefacts 585 total 9 TT items9 TT items Named recorders – 208Named recorders – 208 No name given – 64No name given – 64 Reported they found nothing – 15Reported they found nothing – 15 89% recording level. 89% recording level.

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Rallies.. Something for Rallies.. Something for the futurethe future

The are a reality The are a reality They are legalThey are legal They can be turned into opportunitiesThey can be turned into opportunities They can be too big.They can be too big. Resources can be channelled here.Resources can be channelled here. Telling people what to do is not as likely Telling people what to do is not as likely

to succeed as consulting as equals.to succeed as consulting as equals.

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TT Finds. What’s TT Finds. What’s missing?missing?

2005 & 20062005 & 2006 Commercial Evaluations – 2261 (AIP)Commercial Evaluations – 2261 (AIP)

Archaeological TT finds = 53Archaeological TT finds = 53 Public = 30Public = 30 Detecting TT Finds = 1171Detecting TT Finds = 1171

What does that mean?What does that mean?

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A bit of weekend A bit of weekend DetectingDetecting

No solid statistics again… just extrapolation No solid statistics again… just extrapolation How can we tackle a issue ?How can we tackle a issue ? The BIG question - has a site ever been damaged The BIG question - has a site ever been damaged

so badly, that it is no longer possible to research so badly, that it is no longer possible to research it? (battlefields excepted!)it? (battlefields excepted!)

Of course the more the topsoil of a site is depleted Of course the more the topsoil of a site is depleted of finds then we have the potential to miss vital of finds then we have the potential to miss vital evidence…evidence…

Resource PAS to provide the service that works – Resource PAS to provide the service that works – however – add a bit of realityhowever – add a bit of reality

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Case 1Case 1

Suffolk Suffolk 6 hours 6 hours (inc. coffee)(inc. coffee)

10:00 - 14:0010:00 - 14:00Thick mud miserable dayThick mud miserable day7 lead lumps7 lead lumps3 Blank Buttons3 Blank Buttons1 Aluminium foil1 Aluminium foil7 non ferrous scrap7 non ferrous scrap1 blank pre decimal half penny1 blank pre decimal half penny2 musket balls2 musket balls1 hammered of Henry / 1 hammered of Henry / Edward  poor obverse  york Edward  poor obverse  york mint reversemint reversePlease excuse spoon Please excuse spoon

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Case 2Case 2

Suffolk Suffolk 8 hours (2 days)8 hours (2 days) Foil - 3 Foil - 3

Shotgun caps - 5 Shotgun caps - 5 Scrap lead - 7 Scrap lead - 7 Scrap copper/brass - 8 Scrap copper/brass - 8

Non scrap: Non scrap: Crotal bell - 1 Crotal bell - 1 Medi pot shards - 5 Medi pot shards - 5 Neolithic flint debris - 16 Neolithic flint debris - 16

(all recorded 10 figs and liaised (all recorded 10 figs and liaised with FLO)with FLO)

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Case 3Case 3

Lancashire Lancashire 4 hours 4 hours 1 bullet case 1 bullet case

5 copper grots5 copper grots2 buckles2 buckles1 7.5 oz weight1 7.5 oz weight12 buttons12 buttons1 shotgun cap1 shotgun cap1 ringpull1 ringpull1 big scrap chunk of lead1 big scrap chunk of lead1 axe head1 axe headvarious bits of ironvarious bits of iron4 bottle caps4 bottle caps2 door handle2 door handlebits of aluminiumbits of aluminium6 sheep tubes6 sheep tubes1 corroded ring1 corroded ring

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Case 4 Case 5Case 4 Case 5

Yorkshire Yorkshire 6 hours 6 hours 2 x Edward cut silver pennies2 x Edward cut silver pennies

1 x trapezoid buckle1 x trapezoid buckle1 x James 4th billion penny1 x James 4th billion penny6 x microliths6 x microliths3 x flint scrapers 3 x flint scrapers 4 x flints4 x flints1 x George 4th shilling1 x George 4th shilling1 x Victorian fair ring1 x Victorian fair ring1 x medieval spindle whorl1 x medieval spindle whorl8 x 19th/20thc buttons8 x 19th/20thc buttons1 x Charles 1st bodle1 x Charles 1st bodle1 x Victorian pin i think 1 x Victorian pin i think 12 x pieces scrap copper alloy slag12 x pieces scrap copper alloy slag1 x copper alloy pot leg1 x copper alloy pot leg2 x copper alloy pot sherds2 x copper alloy pot sherds2 x pennies 1947 19452 x pennies 1947 19451 x very large iron chisel1 x very large iron chisel1 x iron buckle1 x iron buckle1 x Victorian cricket design buckle1 x Victorian cricket design buckle16 x Shotgun bases16 x Shotgun bases17 x copper alloy undiagnostic fragments17 x copper alloy undiagnostic fragments

Nottingham Nottingham 4 hours 4 hours 3 x spoons3 x spoons 3 x lead shot3 x lead shot Lump of LeadLump of Lead 2 strap rings2 strap rings 1 buckle1 buckle Lead bag sealLead bag seal 1 x Military button1 x Military button 6 x 186 x 18thth-19-19thth century coins century coins

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Unreported Hoard! Unreported Hoard!

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Summing it all up Summing it all up

We learn from each other if we listen.We learn from each other if we listen. We can be guilty of prejudice based We can be guilty of prejudice based

on..on.. PAS has made a differencePAS has made a difference Detectorists contribute to the record.Detectorists contribute to the record. We can spend too much energy and We can spend too much energy and

resources on the negatives… forgetting resources on the negatives… forgetting the opportunities that there are.the opportunities that there are.

We live in the real world. Stay in it.We live in the real world. Stay in it.

Page 17: What’S Missing