An article on the BBC website states that archaeological finds reported by the public are up by 45% compared to the previous year and that this is mainly due to metal detector enthusiasts -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6271879.stm .
Should amateurs with metal detectors dig up archaeological artifacts or is it better to leave them in the ground for archaeologists to find?
On the one hand the objects themselves are saved but we loose the information that could be gained from contextual information. On the other hand they may become significantly damaged or decayed before they are excavated or they may never be found.
In the past many objects were dug up by farm workers and other labourers as they cleared ditches, dug foundations, etc. Using picks and shovels, and working close to the earth, they could see objects and save them. Now with mechanical diggers it is far to easy to miss an object in the digger's bucket or to destroy as it scoops up a load of earth. Objects are not going to be found intact so easily as they have been in the past. I think that metal detectorists have a valuable role to play.
When we are dealing with responsible detectorists the debate has merits on both sides. Unfortunately with an unscrupulous detectorist, an artifact, although found might be lost forever. Metal detecting is here to stay and the question is how to make the most of it.
