Charting the effects of plough damage using metal-detected assemblages

Haldenby, D. and Richards, Julian D. (2010) Charting the effects of plough damage using metal-detected assemblages. Antiquity, 84 (326). pp. 1151-1162. ISSN 0003 598X

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Abstract

Many thousands of metal objects are retrieved from arable fields every year, by casual discovery or by treasure-seekers with metal-detectors. What is the status of this material? Here a senior archaeologist and a metal-detectorist get together to demonstrate scientifically the hostile context of the ploughsoil and the accelerating damage it is inflicting on the ancient material it contains. Their work raises some important questions about the ‘archive under the plough’: is it safer to leave the objects there, or to take advantage of a widespread hobby to locate and retrieve them?

Item Type:	Article
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	Reproduced in accordance with the journal's self-archiving policy.
Keywords:	metal-detecting, plough-zone, Anglo-Saxon artefacts
Academic Units:	The University of York > Archaeology (York)
Depositing User:	Professor Julian D Richards
Date Deposited:	18 Aug 2011 15:32
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2013 17:29
Published Version:	http://antiquity.ac.uk/ant/084/ant0841151.htm
Status:	Published
Publisher:	Antiquity Publications
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/42708

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