'Collection-Driven Exploitation"of the Archaeological Record': How do we Start Debate without Defining What it is About?

Protecting sites from deliberate damage is surely one of the things that archaeologists should be agreed on and striving for. Yet, sites are being looted the world over because of the quest for collectable portable antiquities. We need a term to cover all aspects of the relationship between artefact/relic collectors and the archaeological resource that all agree is threatened by its use merely to produce collectables. We surely need to take a transnational view of the phenomenon and not focus on single aspects and insular issues. There would be nothing controversial in talking about the phenomenon of the damage done by 'collection-driven exploitation of the geological record' by fossil hunters and mineral collectors, why can we not talk about 'Collection-Driven Exploitation of the archaeological record by relic hunters and coin collectors without emotions being aroused?

Sadly, in part of the English-speaking world (and the UK in particular), the discussion on these issues has tended to be dominated by the views that surround the operation of, and support for, the Portable Antiquities Scheme of England and Wales. This has gdrawn most of the discussion into a narrowed framework, based on the 'discovery' paradigm, rather than taking a conservation-based and more holistic view. It then focuses on seeing and depicting artefact hunting (only) as 'public engagement with the past' rather than a more nuanced view of the wider phenomenon. The pervasiveness of this PAS-legacy view is one of the reasons I started this blog, to attempt to show the other side of the stiry for those that might want to look again at the issues.

It seems the PAS does not really appreciate my efforts, and generally refuse to take part in any discussion that goes beyiond the edges of the box that they've built. Recently, having the occasion to discuss it with a member of the PAS 'outreach' staff, I challenged Durham FLO Ben Westwood, who vocally disagrees with me about the damage done by artefact hunting, instead of his relentless labelling everything I say on the topic 'lies', 'fake news' and 'click bait' (sic), to explain in the comments under one of my blog posts about why he is of another opinion. One would have thought that somebody employed to do public outreach would be able to explain why certain people in the PAS expound views about artefact hunting that go against what most archaeologists - taking a transnational view - would say on the subject (here for example, here too, and here, or here, also here, here, but many, many more). So far, the FLO has declined to actually comment sensibly, merely plays the victim:

I'm willing, as i've stated many times, to discuss my views and opinions. But i don't really think that's what you want. I'm reaching the conclusion that you're just not interested in the opinions of others unless they neatly align with your own. Which is rather strange. [...] Does it occur to you that other opinions may be equally valid and yet reach different conclusions to you? 'Collection-Driven Exploitation' is a great example: how do we start debate with such loaded language? (Your terminology, incidently, that i've never seen anybody else use)

I would say better than merely talking about what he would have to say if he had something to say would be to actually say it, and then we could all see what he, as a FLO, has to say on the subject, no?

But he sees a problem, by not using an anorakish proxy term like 'metal detecting' and being asked to name the spade that he's trying to avoid calling a spade by using the term I am promoting here to describe what this blog is about, that is it is about 'Collection-Driven Exploitation of the archaeological record', the ball is in a different court from the one where he and the PAS tekkie partners generally play about in. 

The problem is, isn't it (really) that the only way his 'opinions' would even remotely be 'equally valid and yet reach different conclusions to [me]' would if he's not deliberately using vague proxy terms for the activity we are discussing. 'Collection-Driven Exploitation' is only 'such loaded language' for those who are attempting to deny that the main reason artefact hunters hunt artefacts with metal detectors, magnets, dowsing rods or the naked eye - or whatever - is related to their collection. And I think there is a good reason why the supporters of artefact hunting and artefact hunters tend not to use the term I promote here. But the activity of concern is, it jolly well is, 'Collection-Driven Exploitation of the archaeological record', and it is that which I am discussing in this blog. Yes we are, and anyone who wants to run away from the discussion framed in such terms, I would say, is an intellectual coward.

'Metal detecting' is an obsolete conventional term that I show elsewhere applies to at least six other hobbies that are not 'Collection-Driven Exploitation of the archaeological record' (depending how you define the latter). Beach detecting is not a problem for me, looking for placer gold in stream beds also not, token hunts do no damage. Coin shooting on 1930s fairground sites in the USA is not what I am writing about here. Meteorite hunting damages something, but not the archaeological record. Hunting for metal debris from modern warfare (Nazi War Diggers type stuff or aircraft crash sites) is problematic, but does not fall into the same character as Roman villas and DMVs. Metal detectors are used in airports and public buildings, factories and elsewhere.

I would say the best (and in fact only) way to start a proper debate is to first agree on what it is we are discussing. I think we need to be discussing  'Collection-Driven Exploitation of the archaeological record'. The Ixelles Six and the PAS so far have run a mile from the suggestion. Why?

I would also say labelling a debate about collection-driven exploitation of the archaeological record' as something else, using terms that may be partial, insular or vague, is in fact using loaded language intended to obscure, rather than highlight the real issues. 

Vignette: Mike Pegg and his heaped artefact collection, from one of my favourite metal detecting videos of all time.