One British Archaeologist Stands up for the Archaeological Heritage

On the British Archaeological Jobs Resource Federation (bit of a mouthful, BAJRFed) forum is the sort of thing I am usually unjustly accused of saying.

One way of approaching this issue would be to close the door to the profits involved. Many of the items stolen will find themselves sold to "collectors" abroad and this would require a greater effort on the part of HM Customs and interpol. I refuse to accept that HM Customs have not already compiled a list of "suppliers" and "collectors". Issue search warrants, break doors down and recover goods. Put simply, put people in jail. I have spent time in a country that has been raped of its heritage consistantly for centuries and the trade in stolen artefacts continues to this day when authorities are in full knowledge of who the players are. This issue could be confronted quite easily but requires a will on the part of the authorities. Close avenues that allow for the sale of items on the internet, re-assess pathetic laws that have more loopholes than a string vest, and get pro-active. Are there any mainstream detectorists out there who would care to start a monitoring scheme? Neighbourhood Watch Schemes have had some fantastic results.

The trouble is, this is Britain, and I think the poster is actually trying to be provocative in an attempt at archaeological humour. The poster's nick is "Troll". I could be wrong, let the reader decide and reflect a moment on its significance seen in a wider context.