"The British Museum has urged detectorists not to go “magnet fishing” to retrieve treasure after a Viking sword was damaged while being dredged from a river" writes Craig Simpson (Don’t use magnets to seek treasure, experts warn after technique damages Viking sword found in river) Telegraph 23 January 2024)
. This is typical of the woolly thinking that in Britain is applied to anything connected with artefact hunting. Detectorists are people who go artefact hunting using a specific tool that is called a (Mr Simpson, you taking motes?) "metal detector". Those who do not use a metal detector but a socking big magnet are, funnily enough, not called "detectorists". Funny that. Anyhow:experts are determined to persuade those seeking treasure to stop using the increasingly popular technique of “fishing” for artefacts in waterways using powerful magnets. They say the risks of the method include blowing up unexploded ordnance, and damaging artefacts. The warning from the PAS comes after a Viking sword was damaged while being pulled out of the River Wallers Haven in Suffolk. The remains of the hilt fell off and were lost in the river.
The scheme experts wrote: “‘Fishing’ for metal objects with powerful magnets in lakes and waterways has become increasingly popular. However, there are many risks involved, including finding unexploded ordnance and possibly drowning. “There is also the risk of damage to the object and its archaeological context, particularly at sites of ritual deposition. The PAS advises against this activity, which is banned by the Canal and River Trust on its waterways.” The method also erases important archaeological context which offers clues as to the meaning of objects, and what they were used for. ”
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