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