Metal detecting: A tale of erosion in three cities

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We thought we’d mention our Artefact Erosion Counter (of artefacts removed by detectorists since 1975, mostly unreported) recently reached 13 million!

If each was an inch wide they’d stretch the 200 miles from the British Museum to the Louvre in Paris – where, no doubt, archaeologists would speak out. If however our estimate of the number of detectorists is wrong and Dr Sam Hardy is right they’d stretch 600 miles, almost to the Museo Archaeologico in Rome – where. no doubt, archaeologists would also speak out.

Meanwhile in London, archaeologists who are equally dedicated  but are captives of the prevailing legislation, will soon plan another Conference praising the PAS and the small minority of detectorists who report to it. No-one will be highlighting the trail of lost history stretching to Paris or Rome although some detectorist-attendees will no doubt be smirking about the likes of us and our “lying Counter” in the tea break….

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More Heritage Journal views on artefact collecting

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