Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.
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| Source: See Archaeology Magazine link below. |
An extraordinary collection of bronze tools and weapons was recovered at a construction site near the Thames in East London. Dubbed the Havering Hoard, the assemblage comprises 453 artifacts dated to between 900 and 800 B.C., making it the largest Bronze Age hoard discovered in London. The artifacts, including axes, spearheads, swords, and woodworking tools, were found buried close together in four separate pits within an ancient enclosure. Most were partially broken or damaged in antiquity. Some of the axes are of a style that originated on the European continent, suggesting that the tools were either traded across the English Channel or brought by immigrants to Britain. Researchers are stumped as to why these artifacts were so carefully buried. One theory is that they may represent the stockpile of a local metallurgist, who had set aside the broken bronze objects for safekeeping with the intention of recycling them into new objects.
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Researchers have been trying since the 19th century to explain the motives behind selective metal depositions. But these are still shrouded in mystery. ‘Archaeologists have become stuck in very strict interpretation models,’ says Visser. ‘Certain criteria were drawn up and boxes ticked per find. The assumption was that there were religious and non-religious depositions. I find this approach problematic because the data often don’t fit in these boxes. You can’t simply project the modern idea of religion onto the Bronze Age.’
Here is the link for more about that.
I think I've said this before, but I've often been skeptical of the over-use of the "religious" interpretation for artifacts. Also, I think it is too easy to describe items of unknown purpose as game pieces.
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A survey was conducted in Scotland to learn more about the metal detecting community and how the detecting and archaeological communities can more effectively work together. Here are some of the results.
The project successfully engaged 166 respondents in an online anonymous questionnaire with a range of questions covering topics such as personal detail i.e. age, gender, etc., metal detecting practice, preferences and viewpoints. Furthermore 11 hobbyist metal detectorists and 20 heritage practitioners took part in a more detailed interview with the researcher which was an opportunity to discuss responses more thoroughly and enhance them with examples or experience. Data was also sourced from the Treasure Trove Unit archive and an extensive literature review to establish historical background and context.
The results produced a range of data on hobbyist metal detecting practices including population, modes of practice, geographical extent, awareness of heritage law, accessibility of information, together with viewpoints on current metal detecting and engagement with the heritage sector.
The report presents the research results in full but highlights include:
- Establishing the number of active hobbyist metal detectorists across Scotland at approximately 520.
- The metal detecting community is composed of approximately 87% men with a predominant age range of 45-55.
- The average length of time participating in the hobby is 9 years with the majority of individuals metal detecting once a week.
- Metal detecting ‘digs’ or ‘outings’ are the most common group event lasting one day and involving 20 – 40 attendees. Metal detecting rallies are larger in scale and less common covering 2 – 3 days. The largest number of people attending a rally is typically 80 – 100 people, with the largest event to date involving approx. 120 people which took in September 2015 at Kingsbarns, Fife.
- Geographically the areas identified as having the most intensive metal detecting activity are Dumfries & Galloway, Scottish Borders, Perth & Kinross and Fife. The peak in activity in the latter two areas has been attributed to rally events rather than relating to a higher number of active individuals. High metal detecting activity in the Highlands is restricted to arable land around coastal fringes.
- 55.4% of respondents used a hand-held GPS or GPS software to accurately record findspots.
- The results indicate a high level of awareness of the relevant heritage legislation with ‘an interest in the past’ being cited as they main inspiration for taking up metal detecting as a hobby.
- The results indicated willingness to work closer with the heritage sector with a high number of respondents looking to contact heritage practitioners for advice or engagement.
- The results also raised concerns regarding issues of trust between hobbyist metal detectorists and heritage practitioners, as well as a mutual underlying misunderstanding of each group’s own aims and motivations.
- The results also raised concerns regarding response times within the heritage sector and opportunities for interaction with heritage practitioners.
Previous polls that I conducted showed similar results. Here is a little of what I found in one poll.
According to the poll, the peak age group is 56 - 65 (33%). That certainly corresponds to the beginning of the retirement years, so maybe it is a matter of leisure time.
23% are 66 or older. There is a time when detecting becomes more physically challenging. It does seem that among hard-core detectorists, once they have the interest, it doesn't easily disappear.
For more details, see The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 1/12/14 Report - Age of Those Who Metal Detect, Sand Surprises, Vintage Fort Pierce Coca Cola Bottle & Milkette Bottle.
Also relevant is a post I did on the subject of archaeology and the public, including the metal detecting community. See The Treasure Beaches Report Direct From Florida's Treasure Coast.: 2/25/18 Report - The Problem With Archaeology: The Perspective of a Supportive Citizen.
I applaud the effort by Scotland to investigate the possibility of greater understanding and cooperation between the archaeological community and detectorists.
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A two to three foot surf is predicted until Tuesday when the surf is supposed to increase to three to five feet. Unfortunately, the high tide will decrease a bit by then too.
Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net