| Denmark: Digitale Metaldetektorfund (DIME) | |
| England and Wales: The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) | |
| Finland: FindSampo / Löytösampo / Fyndsampo | |
| Flanders (Belgium): MEDEA | |
| Netherlands: Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands (PAN) |
Topical Issue on Aspects of Non-professional Metal Detecting in Europe, Open Archaeology, 2016. (scroll down for papers)
A collection of papers authored and edited by Network participants, with contributions by others, providing a good overview of approaches and attitudes to avocational metal-detecting across Europe, liberal as well as restrictive. The papers are the outcome of sessions at the European Association of Archaeology conferences in Istanbul, 2014, and Glasgow, 2015.
The Complexities of Metal Detecting Policy and Practice: A Response to Samuel Hardy, 'Quantitative Analysis of Open-Source Data on Metal Detecting for Cultural Property' (Cogent Social Sciences 3, 2017), Open Archaeology, 2018.
A collective response to a paper challenging our philosophy that a collaborative approach to non-professional detecting can, on balance, be beneficial to heritage management and scientific knowledge. While we laud the data-based, quantitative approach, we highlight factual and methodological problems and contend that the study is grounded in biased and overly simplified assumptions.
Towards a Cooperative Approach to Hobby Metal Detecting: The European Public Finds Recording Network (EPFRN) Vision Statement, European Journal of Archaeology 23, 2020.
In this paper, we present the Vision and Aims of the European Public Finds Recording Network. We explain why we believe that fostering collaborations between responsible detector users and archaeologists is a more fruitful approach than restricting such public participation. The benefits, we argue, are situated on multiple levels, from science over heritage management to society at large, and archaeology's role therein. [download the manuscript here]
Dobat, AS, Dobat, AS & Schmidt, S 2022, Archaeology as ‘self-therapy’: Case studies of metal detecting communities in Britain and Denmark. In: Handbook of Archaeology and Wellbeing. Routledge.
Dobat, AS & Lykkegård-Maes, M 2022, Hunters of the Past: A Study of Demography, Attitudes, and Values among Danish Metal Detector Users, Danish Journal of Archaeology 11, pp. 1-22.
Oksanen, E., Rantala, H., Tuominen, J., Lewis, M. Wigg-Wolf, D., Ehrnsten F. & Hyvönen, E. Forthcoming in 2022. Digital Humanities Solutions for Pan-European Numismatic and Archaeological Heritage Based on Linked Open Data, Proceedings of the 6th Digital Humanities in Nordic and Baltic Countries Conference (DHNB 2022). CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 9 pp.
Pitblado, B., Rowe, M., Schroeder, M., Thomas, S. & Wessman, A. 2022. “Professional-Collector Collaboration: Global Challenges and Solutions”, Advances in Archaeological Practices 10(1): 3–9.
Rantala, H., Ikkala, E., Rohiola, V., Koho, M., Tuominen, J., Oksanen, E., Wessman, A. & Hyvönen, E. 2022: FindSampo: A Linked Data Based Portal and Data Service for Analyzing and Disseminating Archaeological Object Finds, In: The Semantic Web. ESWC 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 13261, pp. 478-494. Springer, Cham. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06981-9_28.
Rantala, H., Oksanen, E., and Hyvönen, E. Forthcoming in 2022. Harmonizing and Using Numismatic Linked Data in Digital Humanities Research and Application Development: Case DigiNUMA, Extended Semantic Web Conference 2022, 5 pp.
Wessman, A., Deckers, P., Lewis, M., Thomas, S. & Nolet, K. 2022. “Metal-detecting rallies: characterizing the phenomenon, understanding the challenges and identifying strategies for heritage protection”, Advances in Archaeological Practices 10(3), 311-321. https://doi.org/10.1017/aap.2022.12
Wessman, A. & Oksanen, E. 2022. “Metal-detecting data as Citizen Science Archaeology”. In: P. Halinen, V. Heyd & K. Mannermaa (eds.), Oodeja Mikalle. Professori Mika Lavennon juhlakirja hänen täyttäessä 60 vuotta. An Ode to Mika. Professor Mika Lavento's Festschrift as he turns 60. Monographs of the Archaeological Society of Finland10 (MASF), pp. 268-277. Helsinki.
Deckers, P., Croix, S. & Sindbæk, S. 2021. Assembling the Full Cast: Ritual Performance, Gender Transgression and Iconographic Innovation in Viking-Age Ribe, Medieval Archaeology 65:1, 30-65 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00766097.2021.1923893
Dobat, AS 2021, 'Arkæologi på recept? Metaldetektorhobbyen som kilde til mental sundhed og velvære', Danske Museer 2021.
Dobat, AS 2021, 'Metal detecting as citizen science in Denmark', Treasure Hunting, 2021 (May issue), pp. 54-59.
Fredriksen, C. 2021. Pløyelagsfunn som automatisk fredete kulturminner: Kunnskapsdrevet forvaltning eller forvaltningsdrevet kunnskap? Heimen, 58(2). pp. 136-151. https://doi.org/10.18261/issn.1894-3195-2021-02-03
Kurisoo, T., Rammo, R., Smirnova, M., & Kangert, N. 2021. Searching devices, new discoveries, and issues related to them in Estonian archaeology in 2020. Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2020: 265−291.
Deckers, P. 2020. Archaeology's Awkward Allies. Antiquity 94(376): 1068-1070. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.50
Deckers, P. 2020. LOD Typology: land of opportunity, Germania 98, 222-5.
Dobat, Andres S., & Armin S. Dobat. 2020. Arkæologi som terapi - Metaldetektorhobbyen og mental sundhed i Danmark. Arkæologisk Forum 2020, 43: 11-24.
Dobat, A.S., Wood, S.O., Jensen, B.S., Schmidt, S. & A.S. Dobat. 2020. “I now look forward to the future, by finding things from our past..." Exploring the potential of metal detector archaeology as a source of well-being and happiness. International Journal of Heritage Studies 26(4): 370-386. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2019.1639069
Hyvönen, E., Rantala, H., Ikkala, E., Koho, M., Tuominen, J., Anafi, B., Thomas, S., Wessman, A., Oksanen, E., Rohiola, V., Kuitunen, J., & Ryyppö, M. 2021. Citizen Science Archaeological Finds on the Semantic Web: The FindSampo Framework, Antiquity 95, 1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2021.87
Kurisoo, T., Rammo, R. & Smirnova, M. 2020. Discoveries made by the users of searching devices and the public in 2019 and the new Heritage Conservation Act. Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2019: 263−288.
Oksanen, E., & M. Lewis. 2020. Medieval Commercial Sites: As Seen Through Portable Antiquities Scheme Data. The Antiquaries Journal (First View). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003581520000165
Pitblado, B. L., and Thomas, S. 2020. Unravelling the Spectra of Stewards and Collectors. Antiquity 94(376): 1077-1079. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2020.99
Thomas, S., & P. Deckers. 2020. “And now they have taken over”: hobbyist and professional archaeologist encounters with the material heritage of the First World War in western Belgium. International Journal of Heritage Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2020.1858142
Thomas, S. & Pitblado, B. L., 2020. The Dangers of Conflating Responsible and Responsive Artefact Stewardship with Illicit and Illegal Collecting. Antiquity 94(376): 1060-1067. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2019.201
Wessman, Anna. 2020. Metalldetektering i Finland: En framgångshistoria? In: Metalldetektering inom arkeologi och forskning, pp. 94–109. Ljunge, M. (ed.), Örebro Länsmuseum, Örebro.
Deckers, P., 2019. Archaeological Metal Detecting by Amateurs in Flanders: Legislation, Policy and Practice of a Hobby, in: Campbell, S., White, L., Thomas, S. (Eds.), Competing Values in Archaeological Heritage. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 103–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94102-8_8
Dobat, A.S., Trier Christiansen, T., Jensen, P., Henriksen, M.B., Holst, M.K., Ruhe, R., Jessen, M.D. & Laursen, S.V. 2019. The DIME project: Background, status and future perspectives of the user driven recording scheme for metal detector finds. Danish Journal of Archaeology 8, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.7146/dja.v8i0.111422
Fredriksen, C. 2019. Pløyelagsfunn i skjæringspunktet mellom forskningspotensial og forvaltningsprioriteringer: Fokus og holdninger i diskusjonen om privat metallsøking i Norge. Primitive tider, 21. pp. 63-79. https://doi.org/10.5617/pt.7536
Thomas, S., Wessman, A., Tuominen, J., Koho, M., Ikkala, E., Hyvönen, E., Rohiola, V.,& U. Salmela. 2019 SuALT: Collaborative Research Infrastructure for Archaeological Finds and Public Engagement through Linked Open Data. Poster presented at Digital Humanities in the Nordic Countries - Copenhagen, Denmark, 5-8 March 2019. https://cst.dk/DHN2019/DHN2019.html
Wessman, A., Thomas, S., & V. Rohiola. 2019. Digital Archaeology and Citizen Science: Introducing the goals of FindSampo and the SuALT project. SKAS 2019(1).
Wessman, A., Thomas, S., Rohiola, V., Koho, M., Ikkala, E., Tuominen, J., Hyvönen, E., Kuitunen, J., Parviainen, H., & M Niukkanen. 2019. Citizen Science in Archaeology: Developing a Collaborative Web Service for Archaeological Finds in Finland, in: Jameson, J., & S. Musteață (Eds.), Transforming Heritage Practice in the 21st Century : Contributions from Community Archaeology. Cham: Springer International Publishing. pp. 337-352.
Wessman, A., Thomas, S., Rohiola, V., Kuitunen, J., Ikkala, E., Tuominen, J., Koho, M., & E. Hyvönen. 2019. A Citizen Science Approach to Archaeology: Finnish Archaeological Finds Recording Linked Open Database (SuALT), in: Navaretta, C., Agirrezabal, M., & B. Maegaard (Eds.), Proceedings of the Digital Humanities in the Nordic Countries 4th Conference : Copenhagen, Denmark, March 5-8, 2019, Aachen: CEUR Workshop Proceedings. pp. 469-478.
s.n., 2018. The Portable Antiquities Scheme Annual Report 2017. British Museum, London.
Kars, M. & Heeren, S. 2018. Archaeological small finds recording in the Netherlands. The Framework and some preliminary results of the project Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands (PAN), Medieval Settlement Research vol. 33, 18-27. https://doi.org/10.5284/1017430
Pitblado, B., Shott, M., Brosowske, S., Butler, V., Cox, J., Espenshade, C., Neller, A., Peebles, G., Sanchez, G., Shipley, R., Suarez, R., & S. Thomas. 2018. Process and Outcomes of the SAA “Professional Archaeologists, Avocational Archaeologists, and Responsible Artifact Collectors Relationships Task Force” (2015–2018). The SAA Archaeological Record 18(5): 14-17.
Thomas. S. 2018. Responsible Metal Detecting, in: Lopez Varela, S., & G. Fairclough (Eds.), The SAS Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences. Wiley.
Bland, R., Lewis, M., Pett, D., Richardson, I., Robbins, K. & R. Webley. 2017. The Treasure Act and Portable Antiquities Scheme in England and Wales, in: Moshenska , G. (Ed.), Key Concepts in Public Archaeology. London: UCL Press, pp. 107-121.
Thomas, S. 2017. Negative Experiences in Television Programming: A View from the Other Side. Archaeologies 12(3): 243-263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-017-9300-3
Deckers, P., Bleumers, L., Ruelens, S., Lemmens, B., Vanderperren, N., Marchal, C., Pierson, J. & D. Tys 2016. MEDEA: Crowd-Sourcing the Recording of Metal-Detected Artefacts in Flanders (Belgium). Open Archaeology 2, 264–277. https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2016-0019
Dobat, A. S. 2016: Metal Detecting in Denmark: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Liberal Model. In J. Martens, M. Ravn (Eds.), Ploughland as context - the scientific value of metal detector finds. Conference proceedings. Oslo: Kulturhistorisk Museum/Universitetet i Oslo, pp. 51-68.
Dobat, A. & Jensen, A. 2016. Professional Amateurs. Metal Detecting and Metal Detectorists in Denmark. Open Archaeology, 2(1). https://doi:10.1515/opar-2016-0005
Herva, V.-P., Koskinen-Koivisto, E., Seitsonen, O. & Thomas, S. 2016. ‘I have better stuff at home’: Treasure hunting and private collecting of World War II artefacts in Finnish Lapland, World Archaeology , 48(2): 267-281. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2016.1184586
Hinds, K. & Lewis, M. 2016. Metal- Detecting, in: Leivers, M. & Powell, A.B. (Eds.) A Research Framework for the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site. Wessex Archaeology, p. 72.
Lewis, M., 2016. A Detectorist’s Utopia? Archaeology and Metal-Detecting in England and Wales. Open Archaeology, 2(1): 127–139. https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2016-0009
Thomas, S. 2016. Metal Detecting in Focus Again - A Response to Immonen and Kinnunen, Winkley, Hardy, and Rogerson. Public Archaeology , 15(4): 245-248. https://doi.org/10.1080/14655187.2016.1429786
Thomas. S. 2016. The future of studying hobbyist metal detecting in Europe: A call for a transnational approach. Open Archaeology 2(1): 140-149. https://doi.org/10.1515/opar-2016-0010
Thomas, S., Seitsonen, O., & V.-P. Herva. 2016. Nazi memorabilia, dark heritage and treasure hunting as “alternative” tourism: Understanding the fascination with the material remains of World War II in Northern Finland. Journal of Field Archaeology 41(3), 331-343.
Thomas, S., Wessman, A., Siltainsuu, J. & W. Perttola. 2015 Understanding metal detecting and archaeology in Finland. Cuadernos de Prehistoria y Arquelogia de la Universidad de Granada 25, 187-199.
Thomas, S. 2015. Collaborate, Condemn, or Ignore? Responding to Non-Archaeological Approaches to Archaeological Heritage. European Journal of Archaeology 18(2): 312-335. https://doi.org/10.1179/1461957114Y.0000000076
Thomas, S. 2014. The Portable Antiquities Scheme in England and Wales. SKAS 1(2014): 25-36.
Thomas, S. 2014. Comments on Josephine Munch Rasmussen: 'Securing Cultural Heritage Objects and Fencing Stolen Goods? A Case Study on Museums and Metal Detecting in Norway' Metal Detecting in Norway Receives Long Overdue Attention. Norwegian Archaeological Review 47(2), 196-199.
Deckers, P., 2013. Past, present and future of archaeological metal-detecting by amateurs in Flanders (Belgium). AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology 3, 13–17.
Dobat, A.S. 2013. Between Rescue and Research: An Evaluation after 30 Years of Liberal Metal Detecting in Archaeological Research and Heritage Practice in Denmark. European Journal of Archaeology, 16: 704–25.
Thomas, S. & Campbell, S. (Eds.). 2013. Portable Antiquities: Archaeology, Collecting, Metal Detecting. Special Issue, Internet Archaeology 33.
Thomas, S. 2012. How STOP started: Early approaches to the metal detecting community by archaeologists and others, in: Moshenska, G., & S. Dhanjal (Eds.), Community Archaeology : Theories, methods, practices. Oxford: Oxbow Press, pp. 42-57.
Lewis, M. 2013. The PAS – A Rather British Solution: the mandatory reporting and voluntary recording of archaeological objects in England and Wales’, in: Lagerlöf, A.S (Ed.) Who Cares? Perspectives on Public Awareness, Participation and Protecting in Archaeological Heritage Management (European Archaeological Council, Occasional Paper 8). Stockholm: Swedish National Heritage Board, pp. 17-21.
Deckers, P., 2012. Everbeek Roman Silver Hoard. Trafficking Culture Encyclopedia.
Thomas, S. 2012. Archaeologists and metal-detector users in England and Wales: Past, Present and Future, in: R. Skeates, C. McDavid & J. Carman (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Public Archaeology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 60-81.
Thomas, S. 2012. Searching for answers: a survey of metal-detector users in the UK. International Journal of Heritage Studies 18(1): 49-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2011.590817
Thomas, S. 2009. Wanborough Revisited: The Rights and Wrongs of Treasure Trove Law in England and Wales, in: Thomas, S. & P. G. Stone (Eds.), Metal Detecting and Archaeology. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, pp. 153-165.
Thomas, S. 2009. Introduction, in: Thomas, S. & P. G. Stone (Eds.), Metal Detecting and Archaeology. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, pp. 1-11.