“Beyond rare” Roman road unearthed in Midlands!

It is thought this may prove to be “world important”, “beyond rare” and “the only road of its type in Britain”..

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Unfortunately, enough detail has been published to make it highly likely that thieves with metal detectors will be able to work out exactly where it is. Indeed, unless they are kept secret or constantly guarded such places – especially Roman ones – WILL be raided sooner or later.

With 27,000 people out metal detecting and all claiming they are law-abiding and doing it for the love of history it’s pretty obvious there will be a significant minority who aren’t telling the truth. A first step towards stronger legislation combatting them would be for the authorities to desist from telling journalists they are a tiny minority. How do they know? Because metal detectorists tell them? And how do THEY know?

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More Heritage Journal views on artefact collecting
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