Mike Heyworth writing in the Nov/Dec issue of Britarch discusses "Changes to the Treasure Act and a review of its practice code" which he says are long overdue. The text of this article is now online for those who do not receive the CBA's publication 'British Archaeology'. Dr Heyworth begins by referring to the Crosby Garrett helmet fiasco, and the loss of the helmet to public view (he might have mentioned the loss of archaeological information on its recovery too) He uses this to stress the need for redefinition of the criteria by which objects are classified as 'Treasure' and also a review of the Treasure Act Code of Practice.
According to the culture minister Ed Vaizey MP, speaking earlier in 2011, the review will take place later this year. However, recently officials from the department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) were unable to confirm any timetable or methodology for the review. Even more worrying, there has also been no apparent progress in the last year on the appointment of a coroner for Treasure, and implementation of measures relating to Treasure, as approved by Parliament in the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. These measures included the extension of the Treasure Act’s duty to report appropriate finds, to include anyone coming into contact with potential Treasure – a key measure in the fight against heritage crime.and of course this is something fiercely opposed by certain sectors of the artefact hunting community.
Let us hope something comes of these fresh moves. I would like to see the English definition of Treasure broadened to cover all types of archaeologically significant material more in lie with that which obtains in Scotland (while recognising that this is not without its own range of problems - we obviously need much more discussion and consultation about all of this). The second part of Dr Heyworth's text was even more interesting, see the post below...
Vignette: most metal detectorists can't wait to get their hands on their Treasure "reward" money, but then many of them spend the rest of their lives moaning about how "little" they got.
in a recent interview in minerva magazine [jan-feb 2011] concerning the crosby garrett helmet ed vaisey said "one cant stop private buyers,buying private property,i wouldnt like to see the sector become over-regulated".this is the kind of apathy mike heyworth is up against.
ReplyDeletefor me the main problem is the treasure act 1996,if i was to dig up the equivalent of the dead sea scrolls or the battersea shield i could sell them off to the highest bidder without even having to report them to the pas.our treasure act as it stands is a joke.
kyri.
"ed vaisey said "one cant stop private buyers,buying private property"
ReplyDeleteWhat a load of vacuous politicians' tosh. Birds eggs, ivory, marijuana and guns are all private property bought by private buyers. Sounds like he was playing to the Alabammy dirt track gallery!
"for me the main problem is the treasure act 1996,if i was to dig up the equivalent of the dead sea scrolls or the battersea shield i could sell them off to the highest bidder without even having to report them to the pas.our treasure act as it stands is a joke."
But you don't have to report ANYthing to PAS. The problem is far wider than the Treasure Act.