And to add to that, you should also consider the possible damage to your landscaping. My brother is an experienced metal detectorist, but his most recent ventures in the yard of my 1890 historic home has left about 15 dead patches in the grass. Many municipalities outlaw metal detecting in public parks for this very reason. ~Liz Thrond Collections Assistant Center for Western Studies On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 2:18 PM, topladave . <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Cindy, > > This is what makes archaeologists heads explode! > > Metal detectorists dig holes and remove artifacts and objects. That > essentially can mean that holes can be dug into intact layers and features, > but it more importantly means that the removal of artifacts with proper > archeological documentation ruins the context of the artifacts. They are > just "stuff" and have lost feature and site associations. No matter how > well-meaning the amateur metal detectorist is, their activity destroys > preservation and historical information. And since we in museums and > historic sites strive for preservation, I think you should say no. > > There are instances when metal detectorists work with archaeologists, > usually in doing surface surveys of plowed fields, or in checking the site > dirt once it is removed to see if small finds have escaped the trowel. But > all that is done under supervision of archaeologists. > > Cheers! > Dave > > David Harvey > Senior Conservator & Museum Consultant > Los Angeles CA > www.cityofangelsconservation.weebly.com > > On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 11:12 AM, Cindy Boyer <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > >> I received a phone call today from an “amateur metal detector searcher” >> who wanted to ask permission to use his metal detector on our historic site >> property – a 3 acre site in a suburban setting. The caller lives in the >> neighborhood, and we maintain an open grounds policy to the neighbors. >> Neighbors stroll the grounds, walk their dogs (cleaning up after them, of >> course.) It gives a presence to a site that is not staffed full time, and >> keeps good feelings with the neighbors who are inconvenienced when we have >> 1 or 2 large events a year. >> >> >> >> The caller said anything he finds that might be of valuable to the site >> (a spoon, a button – whatever) he would give to us, but anything modern he >> finds (a lost piece of jewelry) he would keep. >> >> >> >> What is your experience in this field? Do you have a written policy? Do >> you deal with people who just “show up?” I’m grateful he called rather than >> just appearing on the scene with the detector. My gut says no, but I’d >> like some rationale behind my gut. >> >> >> >> >> >> Cindy Boyer >> >> Director of Public Programs >> >> The Landmark Society of Western New York >> >> 133 S. Fitzhugh St. >> >> Rochester NY 14608 >> >> (585) 546-7029 ext. 12 >> >> [log in to unmask] >> >> Fax: (585) 546-4788 >> >> >> >> *www.landmarksociety.org <http://www.landmarksociety.org/>* >> >> *Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=12149056258> * >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> >> To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: >> http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 >> > > > ------------------------------ > > To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link: > http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1 > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).