Resources

, 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. 

(Cogent Social Sciences 3, 2017), Open Archaeology, 2018.

A collective response to a 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.

, 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. []

2025

Pitblado, B. L., Thomas, S., Wessman, A., & Woodward, S. 2025. Retheorizing Archaeological “Artefacts” as “Belongings”. Archaeologies (online first).  

2024

Oksanen, E., Ehrnsten F., Rantala, H. & Hyvönen, E. 2024. Semantic Solutions for Democratizing Archaeological and Numismatic Data Analysis, ACM Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage 16.4, 1-18.

Rantala, H., Oksanen, E., Ehrnsten F. & Hyvönen, E. 2024. Publishing Numismatic Public Finds on the Semantic Web for Digital Humanities Research – CoinSampo Linked Open Data Service and Semantic Portal, SemDH 2024. CEUR Workshop Proceedings vol. 3724.

Thomas, S., and Anna Wessman. 2024. "Archaeological object interviews as a method to study and engage with finder-collectors." Antiquity 98(400):1097-1106. doi:10.15184/aqy.2024.66

Wessman, A. & Thomas, S. 2024. Touching distance: finder-collector relationships with and experiences of archaeological objects,  Time & Mind 17(1-2): 119-133.    

2023

Oksanen, E. & Lewis, M. 2023. Evaluating Transformations in Small Metal Finds Following the Black Death, Medieval Archaeology 67.1, 159–86.

Wessman, A. 2023. Med detektoristene i felten - Slik arbeider vi i Bergen. In Årbok for Universitetsmuseet i Bergen, Vol 28, pp. 157–166. Bergen.

Wessman, A., Thomas, S., Deckers, P., Dobat, A., Heeren, S. and Lewis, M. 2023. Hobby Metal-detecting as Citizen Science. Background, Challenges and Opportunities of Collaborative Archeological Finds Recording Schemes, Heritage & Society 16.2, 89–108.   

Wessman, A. 2023. Searching for the past: Relationships between Finnish Metal-detectorists and Heritage Professionals. In: A. Richards, M. Bintley, J. Hines, A. Seaman and E. Swift (eds.), Transitions and Relationships over Land and Sea in the Early Middle Ages of Northern Europe, Isle Heritage CIC, Somerset.

2022

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. , Danish Journal of Archaeology 11, pp. 1-22. 

Oksanen, E., Rantala, H., Tuominen, J., Lewis, M. Wigg-Wolf, D., Ehrnsten F. & Hyvönen, E. 2022. , Proceedings of the 6th Digital Humanities in Nordic and Baltic Countries Conference (DHNB 2022). CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 352–60.   

Pitblado, B., Rowe, M., Schroeder, M., Thomas, S. & Wessman, A. 2022.  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:

Rantala, H., Oksanen, E., and Hyvönen, E. 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.

Wessman, A. & Oksanen, E. 2022. . 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.

2021

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:

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. 

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.  

Kurisoo, T., Rammo, R., Smirnova, M., & Kangert, N. 2021. . Archaeological Fieldwork in Estonia 2020: 265−291.

2020

Deckers, P. 2020. Archaeology's Awkward Allies. Antiquity 94(376): 1068-1070. DOI:

Deckers, P. 2020. LOD Typology: land of opportunity, Germania 98, 222-5.

Dobat, Andres S., & Armin S. Dobat. 2020. . Arkæologisk Forum 2020, 43: 11-24.

Dobat, A.S., Wood, S.O., Jensen, B.S., Schmidt, S. & A.S. Dobat. 2020. . International Journal of Heritage Studies 26(4):  370-386.

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:

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).

Pitblado, B. L., and Thomas, S. 2020. Unravelling the Spectra of Stewards and Collectors. Antiquity 94(376): 1077-1079. DOI:

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.

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:

Wessman, Anna. 2020. In: Metalldetektering inom arkeologi och forskning, pp. 94–109. Ljunge, M. (ed.), Örebro Länsmuseum, Örebro.

2019

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.

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.

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. 

Thomas, S., Wessman, A., Tuominen, J., Koho, M., Ikkala, E., Hyvönen, E., Rohiola, V.,& U. Salmela. 2019 . Poster presented at Digital Humanities in the Nordic Countries - Copenhagen, Denmark, 5-8 March 2019.

Wessman, A., Thomas, S., & V. Rohiola. 2019. . SKAS 2019(1).

Wessman, A., Thomas, S., Rohiola, V., Koho, M., Ikkala, E., Tuominen, J., Hyvönen, E., Kuitunen, J., Parviainen, H., & M Niukkanen. 2019. , 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. , 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.

2018

s.n., 2018. . British Museum, London.

Kars, M. & Heeren, S. 2018. , Medieval Settlement Research vol. 33, 18-27. 

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. . The SAA Archaeological Record 18(5): 14-17.

Thomas. S. 2018. , in: Lopez Varela, S., & G. Fairclough (Eds.), The SAS Encyclopedia of Archaeological Sciences. Wiley.

2017

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. . Archaeologies 12(3): 243-263.

2016

Deckers, P., Bleumers, L., Ruelens, S., Lemmens, B., Vanderperren, N., Marchal, C., Pierson, J. & D. Tys 2016. . Open Archaeology 2, 264–277.

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. . Open Archaeology, 2(1). 

Herva, V.-P., Koskinen-Koivisto, E., Seitsonen, O. & Thomas, S. 2016. , World Archaeology , 48(2): 267-281.

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. . Open Archaeology, 2(1): 127–139.

Thomas, S. 2016. . Public Archaeology , 15(4): 245-248.

Thomas. S. 2016. . Open Archaeology 2(1): 140-149.

Thomas, S., Seitsonen, O., & V.-P. Herva. 2016. . Journal of Field Archaeology 41(3), 331-343.

Selected publications before 2016

Thomas, S., Wessman, A., Siltainsuu, J. & W. Perttola. 2015 . Cuadernos de Prehistoria y Arquelogia de la Universidad de Granada 25, 187-199.

Thomas, S. 2015. . European Journal of Archaeology 18(2): 312-335.

Thomas, S. 2014. . SKAS 1(2014): 25-36.

Thomas, S. 2014. . Norwegian Archaeological Review 47(2), 196-199.

Deckers, P., 2013. . AP: Online Journal in Public Archaeology 3, 13–17.

Dobat, A.S. 2013. . European Journal of Archaeology, 16: 704–25.

Thomas, S. & Campbell, S. (Eds.). 2013. Special Issue,Internet Archaeology 33.

Thomas, S. 2012. , 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. . Trafficking Culture Encyclopedia.

Thomas, S. 2012. , in: R. Skeates, C. McDavid & J. Carman (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Public Archaeology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 60-81.

Thomas, S. 2012. . International Journal of Heritage Studies 18(1): 49-64.

Thomas, S. 2009. , in: Thomas, S. & P. G. Stone (Eds.), Metal Detecting and Archaeology. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, pp. 153-165.

Thomas, S. 2009. , in: Thomas, S. & P. G. Stone (Eds.), Metal Detecting and Archaeology. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, pp. 1-11.