Long ago, via a proxy, The Journal bought a copy of the ARCHI UK database (the site finding system for detectorists). We hope The Archaeological Establishment did the same as it contains much food for thought.
Anyway, as subscribers we’ve been sent special advance notification of the fact ARCHI is about to launch “the first British archaeological sites Android App“.They say it will “take us all to the next level when it comes to doing what we love” and have offered us access to a prototype “to discover and explore our nation’s rich heritage!”
But therein lies a profound mystery. We are told that when done responsibly metal detecting is harmless and beneficial. So why would detectorists be being offered details of 190,000 sites of archaeological significance on their phones? To make sure they avoid them?
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The Heritage Journal 
3 comments
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07/02/2016 at 11:50
timmi wally (@timmiwally)
Worth bearing in mind that it’s not only detectorists who find the ARCHI database useful for finding sites of historical interest. Perhaps the Journal would prefer the public not to know about the many more obscure, and smaller historic remains sites based solely on fear of detectorist activity
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07/02/2016 at 12:02
heritageaction
No, what the Journal would prefer is for detecting not to happen on those smaller sites other than under strict controls, like happens in the rest of the world!
08/02/2016 at 12:01
timmi wally (@timmiwally)
The United Kingdom has a mixed record on dealing with the Antiquities trade. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pbEFCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA162&lpg=PA162&dq=controls+for+metal+artifact+detecting+worldwide&source=bl&ots=ierz-C7lHE&sig=BIBTdRj9TUfs0Fchkd8nqV7v0Q4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYvpfAjujKAhWFPBoKHVz1AO4Q6AEIJjAB#v=onepage&q=controls%20for%20metal%20artifact%20detecting%20worldwide&f=false