Is there a new breed of Archaeologist emerging?

An outstanding Anglo-Saxon pendant found by a first year archaeology student.

I've always thought that archaeologists were only interested in relics from the past for their historic values and not for personal gain. Mind you, after a little research I read that archaeologists are NOT entitled to any reward for their treasure finds. So that must mean that once a student of archaeology becomes qualified as an archaeologist, he/she waves any right to a reward. I suppose that's the point when some archaeologists become anti-detecting, along with other reasons.

We as detectorists are always being told by an anti-detecting blog near you that we are "only in it fer the munney". Yet, here is an emerging story of a first year archaeology student who is also a detectorist, that made a find on an archaeology dig and gets to keep a share of the profits from the find with the landowner and a few others at the dig.

Don't get me wrong, good luck to the lad I say, a really excellent find and just wish I could find such a lovely relic for the world to enjoy, and he deserves a reward for it. I only hope that this student when he becomes qualified that he does not look down his nose at us detectorists as 'only in it fer the munney' and not the history as he was the same before he became qualified, thus interested in history and a reward for a treasure find.

(source: dailymail.co.uk)
Sunday 1 March 2014.

 ***UPDATE***
As the saying goes, 'Never believe anything you read in the press'. It turns out that the lad in question is NOT an archaeology student at all. He studies landscape history. A more accurate account of this discovery can be read by 'clicking here'.
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15 comments:

  1. John H1 March 2015 at 09:59

    Hi Janner:

    Like everyone else, archaeologists are entitled to Treasure Trove rewards where applicable. However, most sign away that right as a condition of employment, or as a voluntary 'Holier-than-thou' pledge. Archaeologists have been, 'in it for the money' for years, dating pre-Howard Carter times...and why not?

    Why shouldn't the lad keep the reward? No reason at all. It's another example of the Past helping the Present. Just because, 'Pavel the Red' objects and is squealing like a stuck pig, makes no difference. As a student, I guess the money from the reward will reduce his student debts. Good luck to him!

    Regards

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    Replies
    1. Janner531 March 2015 at 19:24

      Hi John, seems the Daily Mail got some of the story wrong, turns out the lad is not an archaeology student after all. But totally agree with you, a reward for finding such treasure should be available to all.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous1 March 2015 at 19:42

    The Daily Mail story is inaccurate. Tom is on the first year of an UEA Landscape History course, not an archaeology course. He gives some of his hobby time to provide expert metal detection support for the community archaeology group that he and I are both members of but that doesn't make him (or myself) an archaeologist.

    He and his colleague have put a lot of work into covering the site and recording finds as part of a detection agreement with the landowner. The rescue dig and accompanying geophysics that followed his discovery and reporting of in situ grave goods (the top of a copper alloy bowl that he promptly covered back over) was the first archaeological work on a previously unknown site.

    Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke - he will go far.

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    Replies
    1. Janner531 March 2015 at 20:04

      Hi, thanks for confirming that. Just before you posted your comment I saw elsewhere that the Daily Mail story was inaccurate and put a little update on my original post on my blog.
      Great work you are all doing and wish you all well for the future.

      Delete
  3. Paul Barford2 March 2015 at 04:00

    'Pavel the Red' Mr Janner? What exactly are you intending to convey by publishing that on your blog? To whom does the text you published refer and why? Please clarify.

    While still on the subject of the law, in the UK, a Treasure award is an ex gratia payment, and as such nobody is actually entitled to it. (TA 1996 section 10(6), TA Code of Practice 2nd edn 81).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janner532 March 2015 at 11:14

      Regarding 'Pavel the Red', I had never heard of the bloke, until just now when I googled him. Apparently he is a Russian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the 2007–08, 2008–09, and 2009–10 NHL season. He is also considered one of the most talented players in stick handling.

      He also won four consecutive Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, from 2006 to 2009 for performance and sportsmanship. He was nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player following the 2008–09 season. He won the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008 with the Red Wings.

      Google Pavel the Red yourself, he's quite a bloke.

      As to what I'm intending to convey by publishing that on my blog and to who it may refer I've no idea. I suppose Ice Hockey is a bit off topic for my blog but hey, surely you have had comments on your blog that have been off topic.

      On the subject of the law in the Uk regarding a treasure award, I did know its called an ex gratia payment, hell, I've just been through the process that's taken over 2 years to complete. Yes, I have taken the ex gratia award, had to, I have a big missus and a small family to support. The award was £60, for a post medieval silver spoon, £30 for landowner and £30 for me. As I found the treasure item on a detecting buddies permission I'm giving him 50% of my share as an ex gratia award, for letting me on his permission. I'm not letting him wait 2 years for it mind.
      Anyway, hope I have clarified eveything for you.

      Delete
    2. Dick Stout2 March 2015 at 12:12

      "Anyway, hope I have clarified eveything for you..".

      He is not looking for clarity at all....just trolling as usual.

      Delete
  4. Paul Barford2 March 2015 at 15:28

    The term "Pavel the Red" used here has nothing to do with ice hockey. I think Ambassador for the Hobby Mr Stout needs to look up the words he uses, he might be surprised what they mean. Asking you to clarify what you published and why is not "trolling".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John H2 March 2015 at 22:00

      Pavel

      Application of the term troll is subjective. Some readers may characterize a post as trolling, while others may regard the same post as a legitimate contribution to the discussion, even if controversial. Like any pejorative term, it can be used as an ad hominem attack, suggesting a negative motivation.

      Get it right smart-arse! Perhaps a session at night school might bring your vocabulary up to speed with the modern idiom.

      John Howland
      Treasure Hunter

      Delete
  5. John H2 March 2015 at 16:02

    Pavel

    I used the term, not Janner. If you think it refers to you, then hard luck! Are you, or have you ever been a communist, or sympathetic to the communist cause? Clarify!

    John Howland
    Treasure Hunter

    ReplyDelete
  6. Paul Barford3 March 2015 at 05:12

    It was Mr Stout who used the term, but immaterial of the authorship, it is Mr Janner as its publisher who is responsible in the eyes of the law.

    This "community archaeology", is it the same as "citizen archaeology" and why is it anonymous? What was the nature of this "detecting agreement with the landowner"? Instead of being a "new breed of archaeologists", is this not artefact hunting pure and simple?

    ReplyDelete
  7. John H3 March 2015 at 09:01

    Pavel

    Don't come that old 'eyes of the law' crap with me...you're out of your depth as well you know.

    Are you, or have you ever been a communist, or sympathetic to the communist cause? Clarify!

    John Howland

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous4 March 2015 at 22:58

    Apologies for using this site as a way of replying to Mr Barford but I do not possess the IDs needed to post to his blog nor have any desire to create them. I was only anonymous here because (a) I don't like posting my personal details online and (b) it was easy to do.

    The name of the community archaeology group and exactly who carried out the excavation by Norfolk County Council (who also called in a well-known Saxon expert to assist) are detailed in the link Tom posted on your blog and which you clearly have not bothered to read.

    I have no idea who the other anonymous person is that you think I might be but I am not that person.I only ended up here because you referenced this blog in yours, and I found yours by googling the find. Other than these two posts, I have never posted to any metal detecting related site or forum nor after this bizarre experience, do I ever intend to again.

    Frankly, I'm at a complete loss as to why your comments are so negative but after googling your name, I've clearly walked blind into some long-standing crusade. Good luck with what you are trying to achieve but you need to lighten up a bit, well, a lot, really.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ColinsReid10 April 2015 at 06:07

    "Never believe anything you read in the press"

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown14 April 2015 at 11:02

    This is an emerging story of a first year archaeology student who is also a detectorist.


    Wills Norwich

    ReplyDelete

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