Suffolk Sandlands Detecting Tour Hoard Find

I have discussed Suffolk Sandlands Detecting Tours based at Butley Abbey before on this blog. The detectorists involved are Andy Sampson - from Orford, John French from Suffolk, and Graeme Rushton from up North. They were all related to ITV's crass series "Great British Treasure Hunt" with Henry Cole.

A video shows some detecting on the "tour" with some serious misidentifications, the sprue of a bronze casting (note the BA hoard found apparently nearby) was called a "weight" and a Flavian coin is missnamed a "Jewponidus" [recte: dupondius].

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Posted on YouTube by Unearthed Detecting TV May 12, 2025

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 Some finds are shown being pulled from the ground and cleaned immediately on camera. 

Without precise geolocation or stratigraphic recording, key contextual data (e.g., exact depth, soil composition, proximity to other items) will be lost. The film shows no documentation of this type being undertaken, at the end while a pile of loose objects is shown, none of any documentation done is displayed, suggesting documentation was not the most important part of the operation. The film raises concerns about documentation standards, potential for incomplete recovery and recording, risk of missed smaller or fragile artifacts. The team mentions they suspected more items were present and are recovering them piecemeal.

In line with current detecting lore, the fragmentation of the items in the hoard is mentioned, bolstering the "it's only in the ploughsoil" narrative, some artifacts are described as broken due to  modern ploughing.  Some of this looks to me to be ancient damage. Let us hope when this is professionally recorded the FLO looks at this evidence objectively and honestly (after all the ancient damage is an archaeological feature of the deposit). 

Since so many UK Bronze Ages (and Iron Age) hoards are being recovered through metal detecting, time is well-overdue for a good long look at the actual archaeological effects of this manner of discovery, particularly the suitability of the masses of material being recovered ad hoc like this instead as a result of more controlled and fully documented excavation for the kind of work currently being carried out on the continent on excavated assemblages. 

Missing Viking Treasure Coin Found in London

A somewhat misleading clickbait headline: 'Missing Viking treasure coin unearthed in London' ( BBC 22.05.2025) A coin, believed to belong to the undeclared Leominster Hoard (dug up by detectorists George Powell and Layton Davies), has been found for sale "in Croydon, London". Of the c. 300 coins dug up, with other metal objects, in a Herefordshire field in 2015, more than 230 coins are still missing and "police investigations are ongoing". In 2019, Powell and Davies, from Pontypridd, were convicted of stealing the hoard of gold jewels and silver coins and hiding the find, only 72 of the coins have been found.

Police believe they are in the hands of organised crime gangs across the world and now one has been found on sale in London. "We have been notified by colleagues at the Metropolitan Police that a coin, believed to be part of the Herefordshire Hoard, has surfaced for sale in Croydon," said Det Insp Ben Pearson, from West Mercia Police. "Enquiries are ongoing to establish how this coin came to be in London.

The coins that were in the hoard are of types that are generally quite expensive, so one would expect this to have been in the hands of a specialist dealer. As far as I know, there are none such in Croydon, though quite a few generalised dealers involved in house clearance etc. - no names leap out (neither can one rule out a pawn shop). So, it will be interesting to know how the coin reached teh seller, and who and how it was spotted.

And indeed, whether a random coin of the 'right type' floating around on the market can indeed be tied with 100% certainty to a specific dug up context.

Where the Wider Public Gets its History From These Days

 

The sheer volume of misleading or low-quality historical content on YouTube has long been a source of frustration—but the situation has deteriorated dramatically with the rise of AI-generated media. What was once a trickle of poorly-researched amateur content has become a flood of slick, algorithm-driven productions masquerading as educational material. Many of these videos are over an hour long, narrated with convincingly human-like synthetic voices, and assembled from scripts churned out by data-scraping algorithms that lack any meaningful sense of context, nuance, or scholarly rigor. They're often accompanied by AI-generated visuals that are not just inaccurate, but profoundly disorienting—depictions of historical scenes and figures that blend anachronisms, stereotypes, and outright fabrications into something resembling a digital hallucination.

What’s most troubling is not just the existence of this material, but the scale of its reach. Large platforms reward engagement, not accuracy, and these videos often outperform more carefully researched content in terms of views and visibility. In an era when critical thinking skills are increasingly undervalued or outright dismissed, the implications are deeply unsettling. If we continue to consume knowledge passively—favoring aesthetic appeal and emotional stimulation over accuracy and understanding—we risk creating a culture that is both misinformed and manipulable. At that point, the question is no longer just about bad history, but about whether we’re quietly surrendering the intellectual foundations of a free society in favor of a comforting but dangerous illusion.

When Influencers Meet Antiquity: "Mr Beast" Sparks Debate Over Access to Mexico's Sacred Sites

           Jimmy Donaldson - "MrBeast" (Msn)          

US YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson ("MrBeast"), has stirred controversy after publishing a video in which he visited some of Mexico’s most important archaeological sites including shots from restricted areas considered sacred to Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures (Isabel Dempsey, 'YouTuber MrBeast sparks outrage by filming at Mexico’s archaeological sites' independent 16 May 2025). The controversy stems from the unprecedented level of access granted to Donaldson and his team. In the video, which has already garnered over 60 million views since its release on May 10, the content creator is seen entering restricted areas of pre-Hispanic heritage sites, some of which are typically off-limits to the public—and even to professional archaeologists.

At one point in the footage, MrBeast exclaims, “I can’t believe the government is letting us do this. It’s truly crazy. Not even archaeologists are allowed in here”. Among the more contentious moments is what appears to be a drone shot taken from within the sacred structure of El Castillo at Chichén Itzá as well as footage suggesting a helicopter landing near a site and Donaldson handling what seems to be an ancient ceremonial mask.

In response, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which operates under the country’s Ministry of Culture, clarified that the visit was authorized through formal channels. According to their statement, all filming was carried out with official permission, and in collaboration with the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. It was later revealed that the request for access did not come directly from MrBeast but through federal tourism authorities.

Even President Claudia Sheinbaum weighed in on the matter, stating on May 14 that while a permit had indeed been granted for the filming, she had requested an internal review of the conditions under which it was issued. “If the terms were violated,” she said, “then the appropriate sanctions should be considered.”

To address specific claims, INAH has denied that any drone flew within protected structures, asserting instead that shots appearing to be taken from inside were likely achieved through post-production techniques. The organization also dismissed suggestions that MrBeast landed at the sites via helicopter or handled an authentic pre-Hispanic artifact, stating that the mask shown in the video was a modern replica.

Despite the uproar, INAH expressed hope that the video might serve a positive purpose: attracting younger audiences to the rich cultural and historical legacy of Mexico’s ancient civilizations. The video has reignited ongoing debates around heritage tourism, digital media, and the ethics of influencer access to cultural patrimony for commercial purposes. "MrBeast" has yet to comment publicly.

Treasure finds in London hit record high

The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were 29 treasure finds declared to coroners in 2024 in London (Adam Care, ' Treasure finds in London hit record high' Barnet Post 17 May, 2025) The reporter is excited that across England and Wales, the number of suspected treasure finds last year has reached a new all-time high of 1,363 and the number of treasure finds reported in London has hit a record high, new figures show. The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were 29 treasure finds declared to coroners in 2024 in London. This was more than the year before, when there were five. The figures also show across England and Wales there were 500 inquests concluded into finds by coroners. Of these, 98% (491) returned a conclusion of treasure, an increase from 96% in 2023

But Keith Westcott, founder of the Detectorists Institute and Foundation, which represents metal detectorists across the UK, warned caring for historical items “places a significant financial burden on museums and local heritage bodies”, while funding for conservation is “regrettably, in decline”. He said: “If we are to ensure that culturally important finds [...] not only reported but meaningfully preserved and studied, urgent attention must be given to supporting the institutions that care for them. “Detectorists are increasingly aware of their role in stewardship—a principle the DIF actively promotes through education and the development of professional standards—but this must be matched by national support for the heritage infrastructure that underpins responsible discovery.”

'Detectorists are increasingly aware of their role in stewardship' - 'Is that all of them Mr Westcott, or a minority, it'd be nice if you could be more specific. Of course museums need more funding nationally, but a lot of that money tends to come from regional budgets. It would be a great saving if the money for looking after the things dug up by hobbyist explorers went towards the cnservation and preservaton of the finds. Artefact hunters say they are not despoiling the archaeological record, but ":preserving the past", but perhaps their role in that cannot be considered completed the moment they habnd it over to somebody else to look after.

Hat tip Dave Coward.

Polish Metal Detectorists Fight On

'Ciemna Strona Archeobiznesu Cz. 4' ["The DARK SIDE of the Archaeo-business part 4"] - Trailer Lots of pictures of roadworks... and loud, over-dramatic music in this next part of a long-running series of a hostile dirt-digging online "dialogue of the deaf" between Polish tekkies and arkies.

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Posted on You Tube by Polski Związek Eksploratorów Apr 26, 2025    

Why is this happening everywhere? Who, objectively, not rhetorically, is defending whose "interests"? Who can and should mediate - and on what basis - when the "discussion" is mired in the rut it is? 

Moscow Metro Installs Replica of Stalin Monument

Recent years have seen a steady rehabilitation of Jozef Stalin in Russia under President Vladimir Putin. Now Moscow’s Metro has installed a replica of a monument to the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin that had been removed in a purge of his memory during the Soviet Union’s de-Stalinization campaign in the 1960s (Moscow Metro Installs Replica of Stalin Monument May 15, 2025)

The life-sized bas-relief had been unveiled in 1950 at Taganskaya Station but was dismantled in the 1960s. The removal made way for a new transfer corridor, and the original sculpture is believed to have been destroyed. “Experts are currently recreating the composition from archival photographs and documents. We plan to complete the work in the near future,” Moscow’s Metro had said in a statement released Saturday. The monument was unveiled to the public on Thursday, following Victory Day celebrations last week and the 90th anniversary of the Moscow Metro, which was first opened during the height of Stalin’s rule. Architectural historian Alexander Zinoviyev said several key elements of the original relief were not preserved in the recreation, including the ceramic panel, certain colors and ornamental details around the edges. “Ultimately, this resulted in more of an ideological gesture than a genuine attempt to restore the historical architectural appearance,” Zinoviyev wrote on Telegram.

The new work seems a rather stiff composition, it would be interesting to compare it with the original work in the Socialist-Realism style.

No treasure finds reported in North Central London

Adam Care, 'No treasure finds reported in North Central London'  MSN 14 May 2025. 

Mr Care seems to have hit on a winning formula for news 'gap fillers' it's the same article with just a few words changed.

The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were no treasure finds declared to coroners in 2024 in North Central London. There were also none the year before.

He gets the definition of Treasure wrong though.

No treasure finds reported in South London

There were no treasure finds reported in South London last year, new figures show (Adam Care, 'No treasure finds reported in South London'  MSN 14 May 2025)

The latest figures from the Ministry of Justice show there were no treasure finds declared to coroners in 2024 in South London. There was one the year before.

Shock-horror. And in Bromley, Sonja Tutty, writes ' No treasure discoveries in South London since 2018', London World 16th May 2023,

Detectorists in South London have not reported any treasure discoveries since 2018, new figures show – despite a national increase. Figures from the Ministry of Justice show one treasure find was reported to South London Coroner's Court, which is responsible for holding treasure inquests, in 2018. It is the only recorded discovery in the area in the past decade.

This is despite a national increase in finds in recent years. Across England and Wales, 2022 saw a 20% increase in treasure finds on the year before with 1,087 reported to coroners. It is the highest number of discoveries since records began in 1997.

In London, four treasure finds were reported to coroners' courts last year.[...]
The Ministry of Justice said the number of treasure finds reported steadily increased from 1997 when the Treasure Act was introduced, up to 2017. But since 2018 the number has been "more volatile" and was impacted by Covid-19 restrictions in recent years.

It added: "There has been a big surge in metal detecting activity during (and also since) the pandemic.

There is then something more on the increase in finds:

Keith Westcott, founder of the Institute of Detectorists, said: "It was definitely the lockdown periods that brought the idea and interest of metal detecting to a lot of people who were sat at home, all day indoors thinking of what would give them a reason to get outdoors."

However, Mr Westcott added the growing interest in detecting must also be met with awareness of the hobby's requirements and responsibilities

"Probably as little as 10% of what's found is recorded, so a dramatic improvement in that is needed if interest continues to grow," he said..

"People see these finds as objects of interest, but in reality it is part of an archeologic record of the area it was found in. So there has to be an understanding of the context around whatever is found." 

Such vopices in British metal detecting are rare - despite what starry-eyed supportive arkies will tell you.

hat tip Dave Coward

Looting Hits Anundshög Sweden's Largest Burial Site

Photo: Västerås stad

In Sweden, 'Looting Hits Sweden's Largest Burial Site Anundshög'  (Sweden Herald 7th May 2025). The site at Anundshög, Sweden's largest ancient burial site, has been subjected to a severe bout of grave looting. The police have now set up a criminal investigation and determined that about fifty pits have been dug in the hill. The looting was discovered when an archaeologist who was also a teacher took a school party to see the site  as part of a lesson.

The looting occurred on the evening of May 5th or early morning the next day. It seems that an artefact hunter went over the site with a metal detector and where the detector has given a signal, they have dug with a spade, lifted away a turf, found an object and taken it with them. The looters had probably taken iron objects with them since there are traces of rust and corrosion in the soil. But what they have taken with them exactly, we do not know and we will probably not be able to find out – it is just gone. The site has not been excavated archaeologically yet, so the objects that have been removed could have provided vital information about the Viking Age and Bronze Age. This one action in just a few hours had destroyed something that had been lying here for thousands of years. Who the looters were is unclear – but they have tried to leave as few traces as possible by putting back the turfs. The incident has been reported to the County Administrative Board, which has conducted an inspection. The police also rushed to the cultural heritage site and began door-to-door questioning in the area to gather more information.

Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand on her social media that the event makes her "damn furious". "This is not just theft: this is a downright despicable vandalism of our common cultural heritage", she adds.

European Dilemma: Awkward When you Find Stuff you can't just Slip in Your Pocket

 

Marius Mangeac and the coins (photo Marius Mangeac via Facebook)

Why would you "stumble across" a hoard of Treasure when ?going for a walk"? When you live in an EU  country that requires you to have a permit to go looking for archaeological artefacts with a metal detector (Andrea Margolis, 'Man stumbles across hoard of priceless coins while out for nature walk: 'Face to face with history' Fox News May 11, 2025)

An ordinary spring day quickly became extraordinary after a nature-loving metal detectorist unearthed a cache of ancient treasure. Marius Mangeac confirmed the discovery to Fox News Digital. He said he found the hoard in a field near Letca Veche, a small village in southern Romania. In a Facebook group, Mangeac said that he found the coins "on a beautiful Saturday that didn't foreshadow anything of what was to come." "I took my detector and went out alone, as I often do, for exercise and to relax in the fields and forests," he wrote in his post, which was translated from Romanian to English. "I didn't think this day would surprise me and bring me face to face with history." But suddenly his metal detector began beeping – and soon, Mangeac was looking at a hoard of 1,469 Roman coins. [...] After two strenuous days of photographing the coins, he handed them over to the town hall in Letca Nouă.

There is no mention one way or another of any search permit or the fate of any previous objects he might have found  while on a nature walk when he "just happened" (as one does) to take his metal detector with him without applying for any permit for the search first. 

Norton Disney Dodecahedron PAS Public Record LIN-BC9890

Here is a copy of the original database entry - made with PUBLIC MONEY as part of the public record of the common archaeological heritage:

DODECAHEDRON

Unique ID: LIN-BC9890

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Published 

A complete cast copper-alloy dodecahedron dating to the Roman period (c. AD 43-410). Type 1b.

This object was discovered during a controlled archaeological investigation by a local History and Archaeology Group and Allen Archaeology and was recovered from a pit described by the excavators as a quarry infilled with debris as a midden. Other finds include a box-flue tile fragment, grey-ware pottery, roof tile debris and animal teeth. Photographs and information were kindly provided by Lorena Hitchens who is currently undertaking a PhD on the topic of dodecahedrons. The object has not been handled by the recorder. Photographs are the copyright of Lorena Hitchens.

Description

Dodecahedra are characterised by their openwork (hollow) 12-sided form. Each face is a pentagon with equilateral sides, pierced with a different-sized circular hole Sometimes, faces are decorated with markings surrounding the holes or on the faces or edges. Each vertex, or corner where three sides meet, has a semi-spherical knob, totalling 20 when completely intact. All are roughly the size of an adult human fist, which, it should be noted, can vary widely, from 5cm to 11cm in diameter.

The casting is of high quality, with no cracks, gaps or voids from manufacturing are visible.

This example closely aligns with "1b" style (based on the 1907 typology developed by de Saint-Venant, later refined by Grenier in 1996, then Guggenberger in 1999). Type 1b is defined by a varying number of concentric rings per face, with up to 12 faces decorated; the Norton Disney object is decorated on all 12 faces. Face A, with the largest hole, has one ring. Face J, the face with the smallest hole, has three rings; all other faces have two rings. There are no other markings or stamps inside or outside the
object. The holes on the faces are graduated with slight differences in size

Measurements

Height: 80 mm, Height (without knobs): 70 mm; Width: 86 mm (without knobs) 75 mm; Weight: 254g. Side length of faces: 27 mm. 

Discussion

This is the first example to have been found in the Midlands (stratified or unstratified) and is an exceptionally large example, although it is thought that a larger example is located in the British Museum, although this has been resized on three occasions. It has an unusually large lead content. Lead is required to make it flow into the mould, but this amount makes it fairly impractical for use. 

This is the 10th example recorded on the national PAS database - with it being the first for Lincolnshire and the Midlands. For similar complete or near complete examples see YORYM-41CD72 and BH-692011

What are they? 

The function of these enigmatic forms is still unclear and no firm conclusions have been reached. Suggestions as to their function include: candleholders, polygonal dice, rangefinders, sceptre heads and surveying instruments.

XRF testing data
Gerry McDonnell tested the object with pXRF on 14 Sept 2023. Details regarding the device, settings, targets, calibration, etc., can be found in the separate specialist report from Gerry McDonell Archaeometals Consulting. The following results were communicated verbally to the author:

● Copper (Cu) 63%
● Lead (Pb) 26%
● Tin (Sn) 8%
● Zinc (Zn) 0.2%
● Iron (Fe) trace

These elements are typical of late Romano-British 'leaded gunmetal' cast objects made of mixed recycled copper-alloy metal objects. The lead proportion is high even for typical leaded gunmetal. This may be a random result from the recycling of other metal objects/scrap or an intentional decision by the maker to add more lead. Lead helps the liquid metal "flow" well into nooks and crannies of 3-dimensional object moulds (Bayley and Butcher 2004:15). Decreasing zinc availability from the mid-1st century AD onward could indicate, if
cross-referenced with other dating methods, a later date for this object (Bayley, Crossley, and Ponting 2008:49). By the latter half of the Empire, zinc was nearly unavailable in Roman
Britain, with zinc only present in copper-alloys due to the recycling of earlier brass objects. Iron can exist in trace amounts in other metal elements, or the iron trace detected by XRF may stem from surface contamination. In either case, the iron detected here is unlikely to result from any intentional alloying.

References

Bayley, J., and Butcher, S. (2004) Roman brooches in Britain: a technological and typological study based on the Richborough Collection. London: Society of Antiquaries of
London.

Bayley, J., Crossley, D. and Ponting, M. (ed.s) (2008) Metals and Metalworking: a research framework for archaeometallurgy. London: Historical Metallurgy Society Occasional
Publication No 6.

Guggenberger, M. (1999) Die römischen Dodekaeder. Eine Gesamtdarstellung (Dipl.Universität Innsbruck).

Notes:

Enquiries relating to the creation of 3D Models.

Please note that a license from the private owner of that object is required before creating and distributing a 3D model of the dodecahedron. However, the owner is choosing to remain anonymous. There will be a published report that will be submitted to the Lincolnshire Historic Environment Record (HER) although again the report will still be copyrighted by its author(s), so again, permission is required to use that data for any models.

Find of note status

This is a find of note and has been designated: Regional importance

Subsequent actions

Current location of find: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Groups / Allen Archaeology
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN  
Period to: ROMAN  
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 410

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Height: 80 mm
Width: 86 mm
Weight: 254 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Thursday 15th June 2023

Personal details

This information is restricted for your access level.

Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy  
Manufacture method: Cast  
Completeness: Complete  

Spatial metadata

Region: East Midlands (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Lincolnshire (County)
District: North Kesteven (District)
To be known as: Norton Disney

Spatial coordinates

Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Controlled archaeological investigation (stratified) 
Current location: Norton Disney History and Archaeology Groups / Allen Archaeology
General landuse: Cultivated land 

References cited

[object referred to here Record ID: NMGW-063819  with a broken link]

The link now goes to this in the PAS databaseUnavailable record: LIN-BC9890
Object type: DODECAHEDRON
Broad period: ROMAN
Institution responsible: LIN
Workflow stage: Quarantine Find in quarantine

Relevant FLOs

Lisa Brundle
Created: About one year ago
Last updated: About one month ago
This record is currently unavailable to view for your access levels. Please contact the relevant FLO to gain access.

Treasure Hoard Unearthed in Czech forest on Hiking Trip

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Two people described as "tourists" on a "hike" have discovered in the Czech Republic a 7 kg hoard of treasure hidden in a stone mound containing gold coins, jewellery, and tobacco pouches (Tomasz Sąsiada, 'Treasure trove unearthed in Czech forest valued at £256,000' Daily Wrap 3 May 2025 )

According to the Museum of East Bohemia in Hradec Králové on Facebook, where the treasure was taken, the discovery occurred in February this year. "Two caches in a stone mound on the edge of a now non-existent field overgrown with forest were discovered by two finders during a hiking trip on the south-western slope of Zvičina Hill," read the Facebook post. [...] The treasure [...] was discovered in two containers. An aluminium jar contained 598 gold coins wrapped in black fabric [...] About a yard away, a metal box was also found containing 16 tobacco pouches, bracelets, and other items. Experts from the museum claim that the coins were buried in the ground for over a hundred years and date from 1808 to 1921. They include currency from France, Belgium, the Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary. However, there are no Czech or German coins. The found items are currently being analysed to determine their origin and metal composition.

This is possibly the spoils from a 1920s burglary (or maybe 1940s Nazi looting) hidden for safekeeping. No mention is made of any "detection" tools used while "hiking" in the Czech forest...

The UK Metal Detectorists and the Criminal Gangs

Precious, history-altering group of artefacts, wanted by criminals and historians alike, the story is laid out in full on the Strange But True Crime podcast on BBC Sounds: Nicola Goodwin, 'The buried hoard: A story of treachery and greed' BBC Midlands 30.04.2025

This is a story of treachery, secrecy and greed which led to two friends ending up in jail and a mystery about buried coins. [...] The hoard is believed to have been taken from the Anglo-Saxons by Vikings and buried for safekeeping at about 878 AD. For centuries the coins and jewellery lay undisturbed, buried in the Herefordshire countryside by a Viking warrior in the Ninth Century.

Then some thieving artefact hunters George Powell and Layton Davies discovered it in a field near Leominster in June 2015, dug them up, failed to declare the hoard. Only 31 of an estimated 300 coins of the discovery have been recovered, and the big question is, where is the rest of the hoard? Police believe they are in the hands of organised crime gangs around the world so the hunt for the missing treasure continues. The journalist tells the story of how she "spent years following its journey from a hole in the ground to the fringes of the criminal underworld".

Legally, Powell and Davies, from Pontypridd, should have declared it. If they had done so, they could have become very wealthy men. Instead, they kept it, sold it to dealers and ended up in prison. I have been a reporter for 25 years but this is one of the most intriguing stories I have ever covered. Over the years, I had to keep quiet as the police investigation carried on. I received anonymous tip-offs and one of the criminals even sent me text messages from prison.

Where are the rest of the coins?

Highland metal detectorists group, North Detectorists Create a Waste and call it "Charity"

Philip Murray, 'Highland metal detectorists group, North Detectorists, raise £1200 for Prostate Scotland at charity dig near Culloden, Inverness' Inverness Courier 26 April 2025

Delighted metal detectorists were able to get onto some land near Culloden earlier in April this year and passed it off as a "charity event" and "They raised more in one day than ever before". No mention is made of teh damage done to the archaeological record of teh site searched-for-cash, or about the damage done to the archaeology of the region when not on so-called "charity digs".

Here's their Facebook page, founded four years ago, there's 1162 members and it is PRIVATE and HIDDEN  from you, so you can't see what they are up to. Note the Group's (ahem) "Code of Practice" on the front page.

We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.

No YouTube videos will be allowed to be posted onto the group

Make sure that everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things such as race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. also please be polite to fellow members and any badmouthing will not be tolerated

Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. What's shared in the group should stay in the group.

Sales: Metal detecting items can be posted but communication will be by private message, to seller, comments will be turned off

Group digs finds agreements: all finds that are not kept by TTU and of value will be split 50/50 with landowner and finder, depending on the threshold value agreement with the landowner ie £200, £300, £400 etc, if the finder wants to keep item then 50% of the value will be paid to landowner by the finder, if this is not possible item will be sold

Insurance: All members must hold a valid NCMD card or it’s (sic) equivalent to attend all group digs and bring it with them on digs

Group Digs Land: All members must fill in holes and replace divots neatly and remove all rubbish unearthed from the field, failure to do so on two separate occasions will result in a ban from all future digs and removed from group

Postings of other groups and competitions: please drop a pm to any of the admin to ask if suitable prior to posting

The group dig finds agreement overrides the law, which is anything on the landowner's land, whether found or not, belongs to the landowner (unless it falls under Scotland's Treasure Trove legislation). So a finder who digs up something and walks off with a find gets to keep it, unless the value is above a value "threshold" [determined by whom, how and when?] in which case they pay ONLY HALF of its value if they decide to keep an item (the landowner's property), or if they sell it (and it seems that is the destiny of many of these items to repay the landowner - again only half its actual value).  No mention is made here of the finds at any time being deposited with the landowner for them to make a decision about the disposition of THEIR property and sign a protocol assigning title of individual items to the finder (so they can legally assign title at the time of sale). Also most of the finds found will be valued ("valued") at less than "£200, - £etc.", but even then, in aggregate that is still a lot of the landowner';s property they are demanding to have signed over, apparently sight-unseen. It is all so amateurish and so obviously open to abuse.  

And anyway, the monetary value is one thing, each time a pay-to-dig rally is organised there is massive destruction of archaeological context by hoiking all this material out of the search site with inadequate (indeed no mention is made  here of ANY) documentation. 

 

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Winter is Over and William Shephard Takes Advantage of the Good Weather to go Metal Detecting

 

Interesting technique
byu/WaldenFont inmetaldetecting

Professor Dave on the Debate With the Hancockians

 

On the first anniversary of the Flint Dibble debate with Graham Hancock on the Joe Rogan podcast, Dave Farina, ("Professor Dave Explains", @ProfessorDaveExplains 3.72M subscribers 1.7K videos) has produced interesting material "The Great Big Pseudoarcheology Debunk (Graham Hancock and copycat grifters Dan Richards and Jimmy Corsetti)" witty and fairly comprehensive summary of Hancockism as pseudoscience from an outsider (2hrs 2min long). A useful reminder of what has been happening over the last year, worth a look.

Norton Disney Amateur Archaeological Society Making a Fuss in the News Again

I was interested to see the Norton Disney Amateur Archaeology Society making a fuss again. They attempted to gain great publicity over their discovery of a 'dodecahedron', but when problems arose about its actual archaeological context and the way the find was being treated (and why material from archaeological investigations was going onto the PAS database) but also in particular how they were excavating and recording the site, instead of discussing it civilly, people associated with this find first of all were uncivil, then they decided to block me. Amateurish. 

Paul Whitewick has a video up on YouTube that raises some important issues about archaeological information in the public domain concerning the grumpy and defensive Norton Disney Society:

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' The Roman Dodecahedron Debate Nobody Expected' Posted on You Tube Apr 13, 2025

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He writes:

I was altered to a BBC Sounds interview from BBC Radio Lincolnshire recently. It discussed the "Fake" Roman Dodecahedron and how it has caused upset. Naturally I was keen to listen. Here is a brief discussion on why I need to rant a tad about it.

The Article in Question: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0l1....

Original License suggesting CC [it is actually the PAS record Unique ID: LIN-BC9890 - PMB]: https://web.archive.org/web/202401230...

When and how the CC license was changed: https://web.archive.org/web/diff/2024...

The photo attribution was changed from "Rights Holder: Lorena Hitchens" to "Rights Holder: Lincolnshire County Council" and a note added to the PAS record:

"Notes:

Enquiries relating to the creation of 3D Models.

Please note that a license from the private owner of that object is required before creating and distributing a 3D model of the dodecahedron. However, the owner is choosing to remain anonymous. There will be a published report that will be submitted to the Lincolnshire Historic Environment Record (HER) although again the report will still be copyrighted by its author(s), so again, permission is required to use that (sic) data for any models."

And "the [anonymous] private owner" is the same person that hides under the umbrella of respectability the PAS record provides? Yet both the common heritage belongs to us all, and the PAS database is there to make information about it (INCLUDING its shape, appearance, dimensions, weight, colour publicly available - for all to use... that's the blooming point of it). So what is going on here? Paul Whitewick has a valid point, and I'd be interested to hear the PAS expand on what their attitude is to all this. 

This is however not a new issue with these amateurs: British Archaeology and Duodecahedral Mystery Fever (III): This is Mine! PACHI 6 May 2024

Lost Arts of Nepal Vienna Sale

 

Notification by  Lost Arts of Nepal ( @LostArtsofNepal) FAITH STOLEN - Nepalese antiquities on sale today right under our noses at Galerie Zacke Auction, Vienna Austria 10/11th April 2025. Where is the documentation verifying they are not stolen?

GALLERY ZACKE since 1968 - "House of tradition" (sic) for antique Asian art, known for the largest exhibitions and auctions of non-European art in Austria. But how does in get there? By what rigtht is it spold there, instead of being repatriated in the case of items that are illcit (ie have no proper documentation of legal acquisition and export)?

Lots  24 ( From a London dealership, acquired in the local art market.), 26 (The collection of Dr. John Ross Sr., thence by descent to his son and thence by further direct descent), and 28 -31 "from the Collection of Raymond & Marsha Vargas Handley" (28 - Spink & Son, London, 1987; 29 - Spink & Son, London, 1987 (invoice lost); 30 - Spink & Son, London, 1987 (invoice lost). 31 - Hardt & Sons, New York, United States, 15 February 2003)

Raymond G. Handley (1923-2009) partnered with Ray Renault in the 1950s to co-found one of California’s oldest and most successful real estate development firms. They were pioneers in shaping the early landscape of Silicon Valley, developing buildings for major tech innovators such as Intel and Raytheon, laying the groundwork for the region’s transformation into a global technology hub. Raymond Handley was a keen collector of art who traveled extensively, including the most remote parts of Papua New Guinea and Africa. In Mali, where his brother served as the Ambassador of the United States, he drilled more than fifty water wells for Dogon villages. His passion led him to establish Folk Art International/Xanadu Tribal Arts, an ethnographic art business which developed into the Xanadu Gallery in the late 1990s, located in the historic Frank Lloyd Wright building off Union Square, and continued by his widow Marsha Vargas Handley until her retirement in 2015. Having opened her first gallery in the Bay Area in 1973, she is an important figure in the Asian art world in her own right, serving as the president of the International Netsuke Society for over 16 years. Raymond Handley’s first visit to Spink & Son took place in the early 1980s, between Christmas and New Year’s, when much of the staff was away on vacation. During this visit, Raymond was captivated by the gallery's impressive selection of fine works and quickly amassed a collection of over 100 items he intended to purchase. This large number caused some concern for Anthony Gardner, head of Spink’s Southeast Asian Department, who had never dealt with such a sizable transaction. As the total approached 108 items, Anthony suggested Raymond stop there, citing it as an auspicious number. To this day, 108 remains the record for the most works sold in a single day, and it became customary thereafter for the staff to remain at work during the holiday period.

Towards Updating the Artefact Erosion Counter

The original version of the Artefact Erosion Counter in the left margin of this blog was created in the middle of 2018 when there were thought to be 29000/30000 active detectorists in the UK. This figure now seems to have changed (https://paul-barford.blogspot.com/2025/03/when-are-british-archaeologists-going.html). 

The table looks like this (the square brackets indicate that we really can have no certainty about how many UK detectorists complied with lockdown regulations - the figures should be treated as nominal maximums) 

Year	No. of detectorists	No. of finds p/a
2018	29/30,000	907,500
2019	32,000	968,000
2020	33,000	[998,250]
2021	34,000	[1,028,500]
2022	36,000	1,089,000
2023	37,000	1,119,250
2024	38,000	1,149,500

Extrapolating, the figures it looks like there might be c. 39000 detectorists at the end of 2025 and at the standard rate, they will have found 1,257,750 recordable artefacts in this one year alone.

I will not set up a new counter at the moment, but it is clear from this that the existing one is ticking too slowly. Using the figures given above (and beginning by subtracting the c. 5,445,000 artefacts calculated at the 2018 rate), starting from the end of 2018 and ending on 31st Dec 2024 (and ignoring the issue of quantifying the Covid shortfall as unquantifiable) the counter should have counted off 6,382, 750 artefacts). So instead of at the very beginning of 2025 it should have read 19,389,186  objects/.

The PAS database today (four  months later) reads "1,802,884 objects within 1,165,711 records" for England and Wales. That's not looking good.

Trespassing Artefact Hunter Caught Red-Handed with Metal Detector At Two in the Morning Looting a Norfolk Field

BBC 'Nighthawk suspect arrested in field' BBC 9th April 2025

A man has been arrested on suspicion of illegal metal detecting [...] Norfolk Police said officers patrolling Methwold Hythe, near Downham Market, spotted activity in a field at about 02:30 BST on Monday. A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of theft. Officers said a metal detector and spade were seized along with a quantity of metal coins. The suspect was taken to King's Lynn Police Investigation Centre for questioning, and was released on bail until 12 June.

Interestingly, perhaps the tide is turning and the message is getting through, this is the first such reportt that I have seen for ages without the cut-and-paste addition that "the majority of metal detectorisys are responsible law abiding searchers, reporting all they find increasing our knowledge of the past". Good. Because its not true.

The Taş Tepeler project in Turkey

 The Taş Tepeler project in southeastern Turkey, centered around Şanlıurfa Province, involves the excavation of multiple prehistoric sites dating back to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (approximately 10,000–7,000 BCE). These sites are significant for the occurrence on some of them of monumental T-shaped pillars and the insights they provide into the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to settled communities. The project currently encompasses the following excavated sites:

• Göbeklitepe: The most famous site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its large circular enclosures with T-shaped limestone pillars, some decorated with animal reliefs. Excavations began in 1995 and continue to reveal structures from around 9600–7000 BCE.
• Karahantepe: Located about 46 kilometers from Şanlıurfa, this site features over 250 T-shaped megaliths and evidence of both ritual and domestic use. Excavations started in 2019 and have uncovered realistic human statues and enclosures.
• Sayburç: This site has yielded a notable relief depicting a five-figure scene with humans, leopards, and a bull, considered one of the earliest narrative carvings from the Neolithic. Some of the buildings had T-shaped pillars, some in the shape of human figures. Excavations are ongoing.
• Harbetsuvan Tepesi: Situated 7 kilometers southwest of Karahantepe, it’s a smaller site (about 5 decares), currently under excavation.The stone structures, partially destroyed by later damage, consisted of rectangular buildings, at least one of which was equipped with a pair of stone pillars at the centrer. Stone construction included an important finding: a seated male sculpture resembling those recovered at Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe
• Gürcütepe: Part of the initial seven sites announced in 2021, it’s being explored for its Neolithic remains, though specific findings are less publicized.
• Çakmaktepe: Another of the original seven, this site is under active excavation, contributing to the broader understanding of the region’s prehistory.
• Sefertepe: Included in the initial phase, it’s being excavated to uncover T-shaped obelisks and related structures.
• Yeni Mahalle Mound: Also among the first seven, this site near Şanlıurfa is part of the ongoing digs, revealing early settlement evidence.
• Kurttepesi: One of the twelve identified sites with T-shaped pillars, currently under excavation as part of the expanded project.
• Taşlıtepe: A site similar in scale to Harbetsuvan, it’s being excavated to explore its Neolithic features.
• Ayanlar Höyük: Located 30 kilometers west of Şanlıurfa, it’s under investigation, though no T-shaped stelae have been found yet, suggesting it may have been a cult center.
• Yoğunburç: Added to the excavation list, it’s being studied for its contributions to the Neolithic narrative.
• Söğüt Tarlası-Biris Mezarlığı is a site located about 32 km northwest of Şanlıurfa, just south of the city center of Bozova 

The Taş Tepeler project, launched in 2021 by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, initially focused on seven sites (Göbeklitepe, Karahantepe, Gürcütepe, Sayburç, Çakmaktepe, Sefertepe, and Yeni Mahalle) but has since expanded to include twelve locations, with nine actively excavated as of 2024. The project aims to excavate a total of twelve sites by 2024, though some, like Nevalı Çori (submerged by a dam) and Hamzan Tepe, are not currently active dig sites within this initiative. Excavations are ongoing, with plans to transform findings into tourist destinations, reflecting the region’s role as a cradle of early civilization.