Wem Hoard Excavation

Wem Hoard – the excavation (Copyright:
Dr Roger White – University of Birmingham,
via Shropshire Newsroom)

Shropshire Newsroom, '‘Wem Hoard’ of Roman hacksilver declared treasure at Coroner’s inquest last week' 09/09/2019 

The site of the discovery of a hoard comprising 336 items of later Roman hacksilver (including 37 coins), deposited at some point in the later 5th century was later excavated by a team from the University of Birmingham. What evidence that was left showed that the hoard had been placed within an organic container in a shallow pit that survived under the ploughsoil. The article then goes on to say that 'funds will be raised by Shropshire Museums', not for further research on the site and the writing of a monographic report describing each piece of hacksilver, but

to acquire it for the people of Shropshire to be displayed at our flagship county museum, Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.” The monies raised will be paid to the finders and the landowners as a reward.

But, since Wroxeter has been mentioned, I'd like us to take a look at the photo of the excavation. Because I wonder just what funds were made available to do that. The eye entering the picture from bottom left sees at once a metal detector thrown onto the ground next to a spade lying sharp edge up. From the photo, health and safety measures in general seem non-existent at this site, machine in the background, no hard hats, no hi-vis clothing.  Raggedy-edged trench, the spoilheap slipping in on one side into the excavation, the excavation of what one presumes was a feature has begun  rather haphazardly (no buckets, no finds trays) with the spoil being scattered on the 'excavated' surface next to the feature, a bloke is seen haphazardly (no grid pegs visible) searching the area behind the diggers with a spade in his hand to hoik out the source of a signal. In fact, there are three metal-detector-and-spade pairs visible in this photo, one of the spades is driven into the 'excavation' surface, and two of the excavators have earphones on. A fourth detector lies thrown on the ground. This is not archaeology, this is hoiking. Hoiking with metal detectors in a bigger hole because the topsoil has been machined off. If this is what the excavation looked like as a whole, a mess (and this photo was taken and published by the director conducting the research, not a vicious rival), then I do not see how any contextual information recorded has much value.

This is not what modern archaeological fieldwork on the findspot of a 'nationally important Treasure' should be looking like in 2019. Using metal detectorists, instead of experienced and trained archaeologists, to dig holes in and record archaeological sites like this is really a blind alley.  Can we do no better? No funding? What do British archaeological codes of ethics say about carrying out second class work on a shoestring? If we allow this and allow it to remain uncommented, then how and when will the opportunity arise to press for more funding?

The hoard has been mentioned a number of times in this blog:

Monday, 16 September 2019 ' Important Site near Wem Trashed, Artefact Hoikers Praised by FLO for "Helping to Unearth Part of Britain's History"..'

Friday, 20 September 2019, 'PAS "Recording" and Dumbing Down the Wem Hoard'.

Friday, 20 September 2019, ' "Cornovii Discoverers" Pay-to-Take Artefact Hunters' Club: Call for landowners to "help uncover Shropshire's history" (aka "fill our pockets")',

This hoard should not be confused with the other Roman Wem Hoard found by illegal metal detecting PACHI Thursday, 27 October 2011, ' Sugar Coating Illegal Metal Detecting, and You are paying for it'. .