AN ARCHAEOLOGIST is calling for a change in how metal detectorists are rewarded for their findings stating that “profiteering” is detrimental to Scotland’s history.
Dr Murray Cook, an archaeologist for Stirling, Falkirk, and South Lanarkshire councils, has raised concerns over the growing popularity of metal detecting rallies across Scotland which are “hoovering up” historic finds for financial gain.
He wants to see those who submit findings to Treasure Trove Scotland (TTS), the body that processes the discovery of artefacts in Scotland, helping to contribute to a system which is facing growing pressure to keep up with the volume of submissions.
Cook said that, unlike archaeologists, metal detectorists don’t have to pay for processing fees or for analysis and just collect a payment – usually making a profit.
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Cook, who made clear that metal detectorists play an important role in archaeology if done correctly, believes they should make some financial contribution towards the administration process.
“They should behave in the manner of an archaeologist doing archaeological research,” he said.
“I have no problem if they get paid, but if you make money, you have to kind of contribute to the costs because if not, it's in effect, a subsidy.”
Cook (below) claims that institutions like museums and TTS are already struggling to keep up with analysis and processing finds, but changing the system by introducing fees to metal detectorists could help fund and support these organisations.
All Cook’s findings are analysed by the National Museums of Scotland, and he said he pays on average about £100 per object for the reporting fee.
He added there are also costs for museums like storing all the findings which are bought along with those which are typically donated by archaeologists.
“If it's organised, it's a brilliant, fantastic contribution to Scotland's story,” Cook said.
“But it's just this kind of, it seems to me very cynical that somebody's making money out of it, and they're not contributing.
“They're basically letting the state sort out all of the issues. And at a time when public funding for everything is being capped or is being restricted.
“This seems an astonishing omission.”
Under Scottish law, all portable antiquities of archaeological, historical, or cultural significance, are subject to claim by the Crown through the TTS system and must be reported.
The average amount paid out to people who submit findings to TTS is around £20, but some can fetch an amount in the hundreds or even thousands of pounds, according to Cook, who used to sit on TTS’s board.
According to TTS, rewards for items that are selected to be kept are paid to the finders by the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, at the receiving museum's expense, and are based on the market value of the find.
After examination, items not chosen by museums for their collections are returned to the finder.
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The amount of the reward can change depending on the quality of the object and the information the metal detectorist recovers along with the find – this typically being the location.
Cook stated that the system is “creaking” and that more money needs to be invested into the system rather than taken out for personal profit.
“This seems such a niche area, but it's important,” he said.
“We need to know that our museums are struggling. We need to know that the system is struggling.
“We need to know that there are people profiting from our past and are not contributing to it and at the moment, that's perfectly legal.”
He added that activists who join archaeological digs to provide metal detecting rather than attending mass private rallies are “passionate” people who “care about Scotland”.
A spokesperson for the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer, which is the Crown's representative in Scotland and presides over Treasure Trove, said: “In Scotland there is a duty to report all archaeological finds. The current treasure trove Code of Practice differentiates between chance finds, including those found by metal detecting, and finds recovered through organised archaeological fieldwork, which is defined as any field project undertaken to recover data according to recognised archaeological standards.
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“While the current Code of Practice makes no specific reference to metal detecting rallies, finds made at rallies are considered chance finds in these terms and individual finders are eligible for ex gratia awards. The purpose of ex gratia awards for chance finds, including those found by metal detecting, is to maximise the reporting of finds and acknowledge best practice.
“A formal review of the treasure trove system was completed in September 2024. The team worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including archaeologists and metal detectorists, and conducted a public consultation to understand the issues and challenges that users of the system face.
“Based on feedback from these public engagement exercises, the report made detailed recommendations for the future of treasure trove to ensure that it is fit for purpose for the next decade and beyond.”
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said: “We work closely with partners including Police Scotland, Treasure Trove and the Association of Local Government Archaeology Officers (ALGAO) to encourage responsible metal detecting and to provide clear advice on the laws relating to metal detecting in Scotland.”
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