The guest editors Eljas Oksanen, Suzie Thomas, Pieterjan Deckers, Andres S. Dobat and Anna Wessman write: “The Nordic countries, namely Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, present a particularly varied range of responses within a single region to the detecting phenomenon. At the moment, different Nordic countries have developed unique responses to metal detecting and public finds. For example, while in Iceland and Sweden metal detecting is de facto prohibited, in Norway metal detecting is legal but recommended to be performed on cultivated land only. In Denmark and Finland metal detecting is permitted within certain constraints (e.g. outside historical monument sites), and national services and online databases are currently being developed to identify and record finds.
“In those Nordic countries where hobby metal detecting is legal (albeit with restrictions) it has developed into a widespread leisure and avocation activity, and especially over the last decade or two has grown significantly in popularity. The increasing media attention, amplified by social media, is likely to only enhance the current 'metal detector boom' going forwards. The implications of this development entail both important potentials and challenges for the management and for participatory approaches within archaeology and with cultural heritage. We would argue that any future policy initiatives adopted by Nordic (or other) governments and heritage bodies should be well-informed and based on the significant body of research knowledge on the heritage, scientific and social impacts of the hobby. Moreover, and as will be discussed, the added value to be drawn from international experiences is considerable.”
Specific articles discuss archaeological metal detecting in Denmark, Finland and Norway, as well as reaching out to wider contexts near and far, in Estonia and the United States. The entire issue is available Open Access through Internet Archaeology. This Themed Issue is an outcome of the NOS-HS funded series of international workshops From Treasure Hunters to Citizen Scientists. Metal-detecting and Archaeological Heritage in the Nordic Region, which took place 2022–2023 in Helsinki, Bergen and Aarhus.