See also:
Milton Keynes Hoard
Horns and Crotal Musical Instruments
HMS Colossus Shipwreck
Get Involved
Michael Lewis, Portable Antiquities Scheme
Seen the series, read the book . . . now want to get involved in archaeology?
Archaeology is for all. It doesn’t matter if you have only just been inspired or you have a long-term interest in the past. There are lots of ways and opportunities to get involved. You don’t necessarily need qualifications or lots of experience to ‘do archaeology’, and it doesn’t matter how old you are either. Britain is a country rich in archaeology and history, so you can live anywhere in these isles – city, town, village or hamlet – and still play a part. All you really need is enthusiasm, and perhaps some patience. It helps if you don’t mind getting dirty, but even that is not absolutely necessary.
Archaeology is the study of the human past through the ‘material culture’ (stuff) people left behind, whether that is their buildings, the objects they made and used or the things they ate. Although most archaeology is below ground (buried) that is not always the case. Therefore archaeology isn’t just about digging, and you don’t have to dig to get involved and learn more about the rich history of your country. Archaeology is all around us – both beneath and above ground – you just need to know where to go to find out more.
So, how can you get involved?
Museums and heritage sites
An excellent way to learn about archaeology is to visit your local museum. Most people visit museums when on holiday or out for the day, but surprisingly few have visited their most local museum, which may even be in the town where they live. Museums vary tremendously in subject matter and size. Some may be run by the local council, a private institution, or even by volunteers. Some have excellent archaeological collections, and most will offer events and activities for adults and children alike. It has got to be your first stop if you want to get involved in archaeology, so see www.museums.co.uk for details of museums near you.
Few museums rival the collections of the British nationals. The British Museum (www.britishmuseum.org) has one of the best archaeological collections in the world, and it’s FREE. No wonder it is the most visited tourist attraction in the UK. If you are in Edinburgh check out the National Museum of Scotland (www.nms.ac.uk), or in Cardiff, the National Museum Wales (www.museumwales.ac.uk), or in Belfast, the Ulster Museum (www.nmni.com). There are also major collections that can’t be ignored in other major British cities.
Britain’s best archaeological sites – think of Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall and Dover Castle – are maintained by English Heritage (www.english-heritage.org.uk) in England, Historic Scotland (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk) in Scotland, or Cadw (www.cadw.wales.gov.uk) in Wales. Being a member of one of these organisations (for less than £1 a week) entitles you to FREE access to all sites in their care; there are also reciprocal agreements with the other home country organisations, offering free or discounted entry. In Northern Ireland many sites are maintained by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (www.doeni.gov.uk).
Another important organisation caring for archaeological sites that you can visit is the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk). Again members of this organisation get FREE access to sites across the county.
There are also many archaeological sites on private land which can be visited. Your local council’s Historic Environment Record (sometimes known as Sites and Monuments Record) will have a list of all sites near where you live, and have a duty of care towards them. You can actually find out a lot about the archaeology of your local area by Googling the place where you live. You may be surprised to learn what you can see or visit on your doorstep.
Archaeological and heritage groups
If visiting museums and archaeological sites seems a bit passive, you could think about joining a local heritage or archaeological group. Most are keen for new members, and are very friendly and welcoming. They won’t presume you have great knowledge, just an interest in the past. Most groups will normally have regular meetings at which people will give interesting talks about the archaeology and history of your local area, and there is normally some tea and biscuits for sustenance. These groups will probably also organise archaeological activities, such as heritage walks, field-walking and (possibly) excavation. During the Festival for British Archaeology (see overleaf) many groups will do something in the local community, which is a great way to find out if your local group might be for you. For more details about archaeological and heritage groups in your area, contact the Council for British Archaeology (www.archaeology.uk.org).
Archaeology for Children
The Young Archaeologists Club (www.yac-uk.org) is aimed at children and amongst the benefits are a quarterly magazine and a ‘YAC Pass’ that gets members FREE or discounted entrance to 180 heritage sites across Britain. It is also possible to join a local YAC branch (for those aged 8 and above), which organise a fantastic array of archaeological-based activities for children from craft-related workshops to digging proper.
Festival of British Archaeology
For two weeks every July more than 1,000 events and activities are organised to celebrate the Festival of British Archaeology (www.festival.britarch.ac.uk), showcasing the very best of British Archaeology. These events are organised and hosted by museums, heritage organisations, universities and local groups, etc. right across the UK, and many are free. You don’t have to be an archaeologist to get involved, and the festival aims to give everyone the opportunity to learn about their local heritage, see archaeology in action (though it can be quite slow) and get hands on with history.
Go digging
If you want to dig (and don’t mind getting dirty and wet, and spending your day on your knees) it is probably best to enrol on a Community Archaeological Excavation. These normally take place in the summer, and may be organised by a local authority, university or college, local society or others. Sometimes you have to pay (or at least cover your board and lodgings – a tent), but they are an ideal way to learn many of the skills you need to be an archaeologist. If you get the bug for archaeology really badly, then you could enrol on an evening course, or even study at university. But be prepared for a life on the bread-line, as archaeologists don’t get paid very well . . .
Most of the finds featured in Britain’s Secret Treasures have been found by everyday people, not archaeologists (who aren’t really normal at all), and it is through these finds – if recorded – that the history of our island is being transformed. Many of these finds have been uncovered by metal detectorists. In the past relations between archaeologists and metal detectorists was poor (to put it mildly), but thanks to both sides understanding the other a little more through the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (see here) relations have improved significantly.
How to find out who owns the land/when can you dig on it?
In order to search for archaeological objects it is very important you have the permission of the landowner; to search without permission is a civil offence (trespass). Even beaches, local parks and common land will have an owner, be it an individual or local authority or suchlike. Most people search on farmland and therefore approach the farmer, but it is possible they are only a tenant, not the owner, so it is important to check. All finds found on the land are (normally) owned by the landowner, so it is a criminal offence to remove these without his/her consent. So be sure you have an agreement (written is best) as to what happens to any found objects. Many finders will show these to the landowner once they have finished searching. To keep any objects not belonging to you is theft, and you could be prosecuted. The landowner should know if any parts of the land you wish to search on are protected (such as scheduled monument) or out-of-bounds for any other reason (such as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, for wildlife), but you have the duty to be certain: English Heritage and Natural England, or your local Historic Environment Record can be contacted
if you have any doubts about the status of ownership of any land.
Metal detecting
How metal detectors work
Modern metal detectors are sophisticated bits of kit, and some are capable of detecting very small targets under the ground. The general principle is that the metal detector emits a magnetic field from the coil at the bottom of the machine, which penetrates the ground around it. The coil picks up the magnetic signals that are bounced back, and the electronics program in the machine analyses the signal and translates it into an audio signal (or, beep).
The metal detectorist can set the controls to pick up signals from either ferrous metals (mostly iron), or non-ferrous metals (like gold, silver or bronze), or both. Many ferrous metal signals are considered to be ‘junk’ – ring pulls from drinks cans, bits of machinery – so many people filter these signals out, preventing the machine making a ‘beep’ when it detects one. But sometimes the ferrous finds are the real treasures (for example, see the Alnwick Sword).
It takes a lot of skill and patience to use a metal detector well. Practice and understanding are needed to set the machine correctly to pick up the kinds of targets you’re looking for, and experience is needed to decide where to look. Anyone who plans to get the machine out of the box, turn it on and find treasure is going to be disappointed. Beginners can learn a lot about their new hobby and equipment by joining a club of responsible, like-minded individuals.
The most responsible way to enjoy metal detecting is to work on already-disturbed land, like ploughed fields, or somewhere where finds aren’t in a ‘closed’ context. Sometimes the only surviving evidence of a site is through the finds themselves – which help archaeologists map a site no one knew about before.
If you dig below the plough soil level you may dislodge finds from their original context which is important not to do. If in doubt, stop, and call your local Finds Liaison Officer or museum curator for advice. In all the cases in this book, when finders have called in the archaeologists and an excavation has begun, finders and their family and friends stay involved and share the thrill of unearthing the discoveries. The more archaeologists and metal detectorists can work together, the more they’ll understand and appreciate each other’s disciplines. Good and respectful relationships between amateurs and professionals are key to protecting heritage for us all to enjoy.
People can have fun in their gardens or on the beach with a cheap metal detector (which are aimed at kids), but those serious about taking up metal detecting will invest quite a lot of money buying a decent machine (several hundred pounds at least) and require lots of patience.
Metal detecting can be both useful to archaeology and also very damaging, so it is important that anyone new to the hobby seeks good advice and makes themselves aware of the dos and don’ts before they even buy a metal detector. An essential starting place is the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting (which is endorsed by the main archaeological, metal detecting and landowner’s organisations).
Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting
Being responsible means:
Before you go metal detecting
1. Not trespassing; before you start detecting, obtain permission to search from the landowner/occupier, regardless of the status, or perceived status, of the land. Remember that all land has an owner. To avoid subsequent disputes it is always advisable to get permission and agreement in writing first regarding the ownership of any finds subsequently discovered (the Country Land & Business Association (www.cla.org.uk) and the National Farmers’ Union (www.nfuonline.com) can provide advice to their members).
2. Adhering to the laws concerning protected sites (e.g. those defined as Scheduled Monuments or Sites of Special Scientific Interest: you can obtain details of these from the landowner/occupier, Finds Liaison Officer, Historic Environment Record or at www.magic.gov.uk). Take extra care when detecting near protected sites: for example, it is not always clear where the boundaries lie on the ground.
3. You are strongly recommended to join a metal detecting club or association that encourages co-operation and responsive exchanges with other responsible heritage groups. Details of metal detecting organisations can be found at www.ncmd.co.uk / www.fid.newbury.net.
4. Familiarising yourself with and following current conservation advice on the handling, care and storage of archaeological objects (see www.finds.org.uk).
While you are metal detecting
5. Wherever possible, working on ground that has already been disturbed (such as ploughed land or that which has formerly been ploughed), and only within the depth of ploughing. If detecting takes place on undisturbed pasture, be careful to ensure that no damage is done to the archaeological value of the land, including earthworks.
6. Minimising any ground disturbance through the use of suitable tools and by reinstating any excavated material as neatly as possible. Endeavour not to damage stratified archaeological deposits.
7. Recording findspots as accurately as possible for all finds (i.e. to at least a one-hundred-metre square, using an Ordnance Survey map or hand-held Global Positioning Systems (GPS) device) whilst in the field. Bag finds individually and record the National Grid Reference (NGR) on the bag. Findspot information should not be passed on to other parties without the agreement of the landowner/occupier (see also Clause 9).
8. Respecting the Country Code (leave gates and property as you find them and do not damage crops, frighten animals, or disturb ground-nesting birds, and dispose properly of litter: see www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk).
After you have been metal detecting
9. Reporting any finds to the relevant landowner/occupier; and (with the agreement of the landowner/occupier) to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, so the information can pass into the local Historic Environment Record. Both the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers’ Union support the reporting of finds. Details of your local Finds Liaison Officer can be found at www.finds.org.uk/contacts, email: [email protected], phone: 0207 323 8611.
10. Abiding by the provisions of the Treasure Act and Treasure Act Code of Practice, wreck law (www.mcga.gov.uk) and export licensing (www.artscouncil.org.uk). If you need advice your local Finds Liaison Officer will be able to help you.
11. Seeking expert help if you discover something large below the ploughsoil, or a concentration of finds or unusual material, or wreck remains, and ensuring that the landowner/occupier’s permission is obtained to do so. Your local Finds Liaison Officer may be able to help or will be able to advise of an appropriate person. Reporting the find does not change your rights of discovery, but will result in far more archaeological evidence being discovered.
12. Calling the police, and notifying the landowner/occupier, if you find any traces of human remains.
13. Calling the police or HM Coastguard, and notifying the landowner/occupier, if you find anything that may be a live explosive: do not use a metal detector or mobile phone nearby as this might trigger an explosion. Do not attempt to move or interfere with any such explosives.
Also popular is searching on beaches and river foreshores. Anyone wishing to dig or metal detect on the River Thames foreshore requires a Port of London ‘foreshore permit’ to do so (http://www.pla.co.uk/display_fixedpage.cfm/id/4018). If you want to search the foreshore or beaches elsewhere in the UK you need permission from the Crown Estate (http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/coastal/metal-detecting). It is best only to go onto river foreshores with someone who has local knowledge of the foreshores, and its dangers – don’t go alone. See the PLA website for more information on being safe on river foreshores. Why not volunteer with the Thames Discovery Project’s Foreshore Recording and Observation Group (FROG)? This organises trips to the River Thames foreshore in order to learn more about London’s past: see http://thamesdiscovery.org/about/the_frog.
As it says in the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting, it is very important to know what to do if you find something. All archaeological find
s, no matter if they are heavily corroded, broken or incomplete, have the potential to rewrite history, but can only do so if they are recorded. It is therefore important that you show any of your discoveries to an archaeologist.
Illicit metal detecting
Although most people obey the law and report their discoveries, some do not, thus depriving us all of knowledge of the past. These people venture onto archaeological sites and areas renowned for their archaeological interest without permission in order to steal antiquities. They have no interest in the past and are nothing but common criminals. In recent times there has been a concerted effort to confront illegal metal detecting and those seeking to steal archaeology. Increasingly the police are pursuing criminal prosecutions, and a number of people have been arrested and punished. In the past some people have found themselves in trouble by unwittingly breaking the law, and therefore it is particularly important that anyone metal detecting ensures they follow the Code of Practice (above). Likewise, anyone spotting people illegally searching should immediately call the police.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme
The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) was established in 1997 to record archaeological objects found by the public in England and Wales (see www.finds.org.uk). Before this time people may have taken interesting finds to their local museum for museum curators to see, but there existed no systematic mechanism for recording these finds for archaeological benefit. The PAS was first set up as pilot projects in just a few areas. Then in 2003, thanks to Heritage Lottery Fund funding, the scheme was extended to the whole of England and Wales. Nowadays the PAS is principally funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and managed by the British Museum. Funded through the PAS are 40 locally based Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs) whose job it is to record finds submitted for identification and recording. They also organise outreach events and activities to encourage more people to record their discoveries. It is by this mechanism that public finds add to archaeological knowledge, so it is important that anyone finding archaeology records it with their local FLO.
Britain's Secret Treasures Page 27