An Irish archaeologist has just responded angrily on an Irish “detecting forum” to someone posting details of a protected site: “For those of you who are unaware, metal detecting is an illegal practice in the Republic of Ireland, and an Garda Síochána and the National Monuments Service have been notified of your post. I, for my part, am engaging in regular study and geophysical investigations at this site, with the explicit granted permission of the landowner, as it is private property, and I will immediately report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities. You have been warned…… I would strongly advise that you do not post Irish sites in this fashion again”.
Is that overkill? An insult to innocent amateur archaeologists? Well, here’s the case for saying it was: Irish metal detectorists aren’t breaking Irish law against metal detecting as they aren’t searching for archaeological objects and the forum makes that crystal clear: “WE DO NOT DETECT FOR PROFIT OR ENGAGE IN SEARCHING FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBJECTS OR TREASURE OF ANY KIND”. Hence, if any of them unearths metal archaeological items while searching for metal items it’s purely by accident. Irish metal detectorists are all entirely innocent of lawbreaking and it follows that posting details of a protected site can’t possibly have negative consequences. Obviously.
Of course, on the other hand, you might not believe, but can’t prove, that they aren’t all only looking for Coke cans and tractor parts and that in reality ARE looking for archaeological artefacts, which would make them common criminals and bare-faced liars using a tricky smokescreen. (Some of them!) If that was so then it’s perfectly reasonable to think some of them would be prepared to do the same thing on a National Monument, in which case the archaeologist wasn’t wrong to complain. He was right. You decide (and that applies to the British archaeologists who have lent their names and reputations, wittingly or otherwise, to a video promoting the legalisation of Irish metal detecting).
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09/05/2016 at 13:32
Sinead Marshall
The Irish legislation regarding metal detecting is more nuanced than this piece leads one to believe.
It is also illegal to metal detect on or near a known archaeological site, to have the equipment with you on or near an archaeological site etc. ‘Near’ is not defined but the country has many thousands of monuments of known monuments. The law was written this way to put the whole country effectively out of reach for all but professional archaeologists working under a specific site licence granted by the state for a limited period of time.
Permission from landowners is totally irrelevant in this context in Ireland, as are statements on a website that you are not searching for archaeological objects .
In the absence of specialist knowledge of this legislation it is unwise to state that metal detectorists in Ireland are not breaking any Irish laws.
The archaeologist above was following the law and correctly reporting damage and illegal activity ON A KNOWN SITE to the authorities. Informing the detectorists that they have discovered and reported this illegal activity is not ‘insulting’, just accurate and a fair warning.
09/05/2016 at 14:38
heritageaction
Thankyou. And of course we agree. In fact, perhaps not “more nuanced” but “categoric in several ways, leaving no room for denial”.
29/05/2016 at 03:57
Anonymous
It’s clear we need to move forward with progress in technology and a new and maybe at times a better way to protect our heritage.
It is time for archaeologists to work with people who metal detect within the law no need for hostility. With the ever shrinking state funds to help protect our heritage archaeologists need all the help they can get.
We can already see why problems can arise accidentally from the word ‘Near’ because it’s not defined. If we had set distances maybe some infringements might not happen. I am sure these minor issues can be worked out all it takes is a bit of common sense and working together.
I think if archaeologists reach out to people who metal detect they will find they are eager to help and do the right thing after all who would spot if something was inappropriate better than a guy who metal detects.
Just on the legal point you can rest assured advice on detecting within the law was already sought and received. Anybody detecting within the law should have no need for concern. I honestly think we have the same aims but just different ways about sorting out the task. Let us move forward and stop pushing a wedge between us and work it out so we can all enjoy what we do with respect for each other.
Frank
29/05/2016 at 12:38
heritageaction
“Just on the legal point you can rest assured advice on detecting within the law was already sought and received.”
Perhaps you would provide chapter and verse.
07/06/2016 at 11:55
heritageaction
Thought not. So they should be locked up, yes?