Ferguson, N. (2013) Biting the bullet: the role of hobbyist metal detecting within battlefield archaeology.Internet Archaeology (33). (original) (raw)
Related papers
Biting the bullet: the role of hobbyist metal detecting within battlefield archaeology
Internet Archaeology, 2013
In the UK battlefields are becoming more frequently associated with the label 'heritage at risk'. As the concept of battlefield and conflict archaeology has evolved, so too has the recognition that battlefields are dynamic, yet fragile, archaeological landscapes in need of protection. The tangible evidence of battle is primarily identified by distributions of artefacts held within the topsoil, such as lead projectiles, weapon fragments or buttons torn from clothing; debris strewn in the heat of battle. Much of the battlefield therefore remains as a faint footprint, and where it survives, may provide valuable information, if recorded accurately. The unrecorded removal of artefacts from battlefields and other sites of conflict is a key issue in the management and conservation of this unique archaeological heritage. With a particular focus on current doctoral research, this paper aims to address the role of metal detecting in the UK as an important factor in this equation, having both a positive and negative impact to battlefield archaeology. Furthermore it will also consider the nature of metal detecting on UK battlefields; the perceived value of battle related artefacts; the quality of information available for the recording of material from such sites, and what may cooperatively be achieved.
Battlefield Archaeology: A Guide to the Archaeology of Conflict
2005
Blast damage and bullet holes (some repaired) on the 19 th /early 20 th century victory monument in Berlin 7 Blast damage and bullet holes (some repaired) on the 19 th /early 20 th century victory monument in Berlin 8 A Roman military 'mask' or helmet faceguard from the Varus Battlefield, Germany 9 The skull of Skeleton 9 from the 1996 Towton mass grave 10 Battleflats Way, on the site of the 1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire, which has been destroyed due to a housing development 11 Signage close to the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Centre, Tennessee, USA 12 Medieval arrowheads discovered during the Towton Battlefield Archaeological Survey 13 Musket ball and Second World War bullet recorded on the Agincourt battlefield 14 Musket ball and Second World War bullet recorded on the Agincourt battlefield 15 A small number of the recorded artefacts from the battlefield at Towton, Yorkshire 16 Recording the location of an artefact found during a metal detecting survey, with a GPS, as part of the Towton Battlefield Archaeological Survey
2005
Blast damage and bullet holes (some repaired) on the 19 th /early 20 th century victory monument in Berlin 7 Blast damage and bullet holes (some repaired) on the 19 th /early 20 th century victory monument in Berlin 8 A Roman military 'mask' or helmet faceguard from the Varus Battlefield, Germany 9 The skull of Skeleton 9 from the 1996 Towton mass grave 10 Battleflats Way, on the site of the 1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge, Yorkshire, which has been destroyed due to a housing development 11 Signage close to the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Centre, Tennessee, USA 12 Medieval arrowheads discovered during the Towton Battlefield Archaeological Survey 13 Musket ball and Second World War bullet recorded on the Agincourt battlefield 14 Musket ball and Second World War bullet recorded on the Agincourt battlefield 15 A small number of the recorded artefacts from the battlefield at Towton, Yorkshire 16 Recording the location of an artefact found during a metal detecting survey, with a GPS, as part of the Towton Battlefield Archaeological Survey
2017
Despite its importance in English history, the Battle of Cheriton has not received the attention of scholars in the way that battles such as Marston Moor, Edgehill, and Naseby have. Only one historian has written a full account of the battle, and the exact site of the battlefield has been disputed. The area of the battlefield was subject to extensive metal-detecting between the 1970s and 1990s and a large number of small finds recovered, but until now only a very small percentage of the Cheriton battlefield assemblage has been studied. This paper discusses the analysis of the complete assemblage, carried out by the author, with the aim of gaining a new understanding of the events of the battle. This paper also presents the results of this analysis, the most significant result being the location and spread of the battlefield area, putting to rest the decade’s old debate over where the battle took place. The results also shed new light on the interpretation of the events of the battle, the potential for further research using this collection, and the impact this study can have on the local community and the protection of the battlefield site as an area of historical importance and interest.
The Impact of Metal Detectors: Preservation Lessons from the Battlefield
Society for Historical Archaeology Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology, 1996
We all know that metal detectors have had an adverse impact on historic sites of all types, including battlefields. In addition to diminishing the number of metal artifacts present, the activities of metal detectors may have skewed the patterns left on sites either in terms of disproportionately removing certain classes of artifacts from the site, or by disproportionately removing artifacts from certain areas of a site. Because Civil War detectorists typically collect all metal, battle-related artifacts, these sites present the opportunity to examine spatial skewing that may have resulted from differential land access and from the tendency of metal detectors to focus on "hot spots." Information derived from archaeological distribution studies and information from metal detectors informants are used to assess the affects of differential access to land and the "mining" of hot spots have had on remaining patterns at the Mine Creek, Kansas, and Honey Springs, Oklahoma, Civil War battlefields.
Heritage experts are debating over the use of metal detectors since its appearance. 6 We still cannot talk about the widespread use of such devices in archaeological field surveys in Hungary, including, unfortunately, archaeological excavations. 7 However , illegal metal detecting is still widespread and causes great harm to national cultural heritage in spite of recent legal changes. Hungarian archaeologists struggle to oppose this trend through individual initiatives and with the help of "museum-friendly" metal detector hobbyists. The aim of our initiative to explore the Mohács battlefield was, in addition to the anticipated professional results, to create a platform for these cooperations and to provide an opportunity to get to know each other and each oth-er's methods (Fig. 1). METAL DETECTORS IN THE SERVICE OF ARCHAEOLOGY The first ever metal detectorist weekend rally of Hungary was organized 19 to 21 March 2016. The battle of Mohács, coming to its 490 th annivers...
Heritage experts are debating over the use of metal detectors since its appearance. We still cannot talk about the widespread use of such devices in archaeological field surveys in Hungary, including, unfortunately, archaeological excavations. However, illegal metal detecting is still widespread and causes great harm to national cultural heritage in spite of recent legal changes. Hungarian archaeologists struggle to oppose this trend through individual initiatives and with the help of " museum-friendly " metal detector hobbyists. The aim of our initiative to explore the Mohács battlefield was, in addition to the anticipated professional results, to create a platform for these cooperations and to provide an opportunity to get to know each other and each other's methods.