Treasure Hunting

The differences between a hobby metal detectorist and a professional archaeologist have long been a heated topic of discussion for both parties. But I recently came across the uplifting story of metal detectorist Peter Hyams and his quest for professional help unearthing “one of the most spectacular Iron Age finds ever made in Britain.”

In Current Archaeology.co.uk, Independent Archaeologist John Winterburn details the story of the Chiseldon Cauldrons found outside the village of Chiseldon. Peter was metal detecting a field he had been over many times before when he discovered twelve buried cauldron’s - vessels with some iron rings and thin sheets of green and corroded bronze. His first reaction was to post a “plea for help on the Britarch email list,” but he was shocked at the negative response from several of the members. Knowing that he had found something worth preserving properly, Peter insisted on doing the right thing: getting advice and help from archaeologists.

After months of talking to professionals and vying for resources, all twelve of the cauldrons were properly excavated by several very determined, professional archaeologists and Peter himself. John Winterburn recalls “The cauldrons were jammed into the pit, and it was a problem to know which to remove first: it was essential to take them out of the ground in the reverse order to that in which they had been deposited – both to minimize any damage and to understand the sequence. A space was cleared for someone to work inside the pit – to stand in the place last occupied by the person who had arranged the cauldrons 2,000 years before.”

My question is: What would you have done?

Archaeologists and Hobby Metal Detectorists often clash and differ on their opinions of recovering artifacts. Would you have diligently sought out the help of a professional who may not take you seriously?

Peter Hyames did, and the history books are better for it.

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