Coins, jewelry, and antiques are great ways to investigate the lives of those who have come before us, and one of the most popular ways to find these items is with a metal detector. It is only in recent years that these machines have made it possible for people who are not museum staff or archaeologists to find and view or possess ancient jewelry or other pieces from a bygone era.
Metal detectors began to appear in the 1960s in a very basic format, but by the 1970s the technology had improved and more and more people were embracing this new hobby. Initially the favorite spots were the beaches around the UK coast, but it soon became clear that there was plenty to find inland as well.
A large number of items were discovered, allowing a better understanding of how people lived in earlier times and museums were continually adding to their collections. Unfortunately, some believed that hobbyist detectors could pose a threat to the nation’s hidden heritage rather than a benefit and attempts were made to impose restrictions on the use of metal detectors. Fortunately for those who love to explore and discover, compromises were reached and codes of conduct agreed to allow metal detecting to continue.
This has proven to be very beneficial, as there have been some important archaeological discoveries made by amateur detectorists who have reported it to the authorities immediately and left the discoveries as found for archaeologists to excavate and protect.
Unfortunately, there are also times when detectors have searched unauthorized property, such as the Thetford Treasury, which was found on Gallows Hill in 1979. The discovery was made on land cleared for construction work by someone who did not have the permission from the owners to search there. When he discovered silver spoons, gold rings and bracelets, among other items, he did not report his find as he should have because he was not authorized to search there. He later tried to sell to private buyers, which is when archaeologists learned of the find, but at the time, the land had been built and the seeker was terminally ill and died about a month later, so there was no way to establish. what else could happen. has been there. The collection dating back to the 4th century AD is now in the British Museum, but there is no way of knowing how much larger the collection might have been.
On a more positive note, a discovery in Germany by a British Army officer with a metal detector was later confirmed by archaeologists to confirm that a battle in AD 9 in which more than 20,000 Romans died did not take place. where previously thought. History had to be reviewed!
As technology improves, the design and capabilities of metal detectors also improve and there are still many hidden treasures and ancient antiques to be discovered. But you must comply with regulations and ensure that any finds are properly reported and investigated in order to maintain the items and hopefully restore them to their former glory.
