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Metal detectorists - the Rock'n'Rollers of archaeology?

• Message 1.聽

  Posted by an ex-nordmann - it has ceased to exist (U3472955) on Tuesday, 17th April 2007

  I hear that Bill Wyman (yes, THAT Bill Wyman) has just launched a lightweight metal detector with the hope that "... more people take up the adventure and delight in personally discovering our nation鈥檚 history.鈥� Well ok, it mightn't be as shockingly "Stonesish" as snorting one's dead father's ashes (yes, THAT Keith Richards), but in the context of serious archaeology - and on the understanding that Wyman is personally wealthy enough not to be motivated purely by commercial reasons but genuinely believes that thousands of people out digging holes in pursuit of things that go 'beep' will somehow enrich our heritage and understanding of things past - is there anyone on this site besides myself who finds such reports just a tad unnerving?
  
  Safe in the knowledge that such 'star-sponsored' ventures rarely take off with quite the oomph that their originators hope for, can we still utter a silent prayer or two that Wyman's attempt to send droves of amateurs out desecrating archeological context should go the same way (and as fast as) Rolf Harris' Stylophone, Barbra Streisand's dental floss and Gary Glitter's "Wanna Be In My Gang" nursery range?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by stalteriisok (U3212540) on Wednesday, 18th April 2007

  Hi Nordmann
  
  I actually dont find metal detectorists unnerving
  
  given that most of them are kept away from official, known sites, and that they seem to be more disciplined nowadays, i think they are an advantage to discovering new sites.
  
  they seem to go on bits of land "because they are there" - ie any field or hill which has no historical relevance - and when something is found it adds to our knowledge
  
  Yes there is the worry that archaeology may be disturbed - but usually only around "the little hole" - and if it is reported - the real archaeology can be investigated
  
  (where can u get them from lol)
  
  ST

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Vizzer aka U_numbers (U2011621) on Tuesday, 5th June 2007

  I might get one of those detectors and hope that I can locate those 'Keys To Your Love' which were left under the 'Flowers' several years ago and were never found again. I'm sure the keys are now underground and are in the possession of 'Their Satanic Majesties' or else 'December's Children' took them - (they must have been 'Out Of Our Heads').
  
  Either way I will keep looking 'Through The Past Darkly' and through the old nails and 'Between The Buttons' which the detector is likely to bring up.
  
  In the 'Aftermath' with 'Sticky Fingers' I'll enjoy a 'Beggar's Banquet' of restorative 'Goats Head Soup'.
  
  I'll then return the detector to the shop with a receipt and a 'Bill' for my money back. They might say 'Why man?' I'll reply by saying that they must be taking the 'Mick' because the electrical 'Watts' are all wrong so 'Get Yer Ya-Yas Out' open the till and 'Let It Bleed'.
  
  I will, of course, then become an 'Exile On Main Street'.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by pumbar (U1339624) on Tuesday, 5th June 2007

  You could always simply "paint it black".

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Northern Lass (U8499449) on Friday, 8th June 2007

  if you find any treasure then please, "let's spend the night together" !

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by White Camry (U2321601) on Friday, 8th June 2007

  (U2011621),
  
  You really should work on your punmanship.
  
  

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Vizzer aka U_numbers (U2011621) on Saturday, 9th June 2007

  You could always simply "paint it black".聽
  
  True. But if it's got falty wiring then I could end up like 'Jumpin' Jack Flash'.
  
  
  if you find any treasure then please, "let's spend the night together" !聽
  
  'Well what can a poor boy do?'
  
  
  辫耻苍尘补苍蝉丑颈辫听
  
  Is a 'punman' anything like a 'Street Fighting Man'? I hope so for his sake because 'Everywhere I hear the sound of marching, charging feet...'

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