Recording Scrap Finds!

[DAZ 1900]

Hi all,

I was going to PM Hosty with these Questions? But thought i would open it up to the floor in order to get further opinions from both Archaeologists and Detectorists, so here goes!


As a Detectorist myself, i follow Archaeological Discussions as well as Detecting Discussions over several fora and by reading through these discussions ( and sometimes conversing!!:D) i gain some ideas that i apply to my hobby.When the Archaeo-Detecting Debate first began (for me anyway!) it was approximately 2 years ago and several questions were posed on another forum which got my attention!

How many holes do Detectorist's dig?
How many Ancient finds do they make?
What is the Scrap to Find Ratio?


I know there has been several such studies (Kevmars excellant study springs to mind!!:D) So for 2 years now i have been collating imformation on Scrap/Junk finds and how many holes are dug in a day as well as a Season and how many hours a Day as Well as a Season is spent Detecting along with a Scrap to find Ratio recorded both Daily and Seasonaly, all this imformation along with recorded finds goes into my annual report for the SMR. So my Questions are;


For Scrap/Junk Data should i be recording other imformation (such as metal type?)


I initially set this Study to a 5 year level (Should this be maintained or should i install it as a permanent feature within my Detecting program?)


The SMR seem (quite rightly so!:D) more interested in the recorded finds data rather than this 2nd Study ( So is there any such need for this 2nd Study?)


Thanks in Advance!

Darren

[BAJR Host]

This is bloo.... sorry... bloomin fascinating... I can't wait to see this.. THis is I hope the first of many such studies, I know myself now the signal / find / artefact / recordable artefact is of great importance to debate.

Thanks Daz... open up!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Paul Barford]

Great idea Daz, this is precisely the information needed to make a contribution to the discussion. I would say a five year project would be enough to show the general trends, certainly if you do wish to continue, a summary of the first five years would be useful (as would an interim report on a shorter period). In answer to your other question, I would say some idea of what kind of "scrap" (so metal and perhaps a short categorisation, tins, cartridge cases, WW2 aircraft parts etc) would be useful just to put it all in perspective. It strikes me the SMR might not be interested in gathering such information (but dont let that discourage you from depositing a copy of the report in their archive) but certainly these are the sort of data the PAS needs to gather from detectorists to fulfill its Fifth Aim. They might (you never know, worth a try) even be able even to fund you for the compilation of the report.

Paul Barford

[JBM]

I watch this thread with great interest.

The final statistics can only be very general.

There are a number of factors which will determine the final analysis.

Certain detectors are far deeper seeking machines.

Other detectors are far better at discriminating signals of various metals.

Some detectorists are more cablable of getting the best from their detector than others.

Many older detectorists have a tendancy to dig fewer holes to save energy.

There are other examples but I think you will understand my point.

Having said that I do support the idea but with reservations on the final resulting statistics.Jerry.



Retired Aerospace manager after many years in the engineering industry..
Locating and preserving historical items for future generations to enjoy.

[DAZ 1900]

Hi Jerry!

The Study i am conducting is/was only meant to be General/Fact Finding Study and not an Official Study, the factors involved as you say can/could have a bearing on the Study itself which is why i decided to conduct it in a Simplistic manner and not be too specific! (i.e just an ordinary Detectorist going about his weekend hobby!:D) but recording/monitoring Scrap levels along with recorded items along the way!.For an official Study into how successful Detectorist's are based on the Scrap to Find Ratio a lot more Detectorist's of varying age with varying models of Detectors as well as a variety of different sites would have to take part for a given length of time (which is why Kevmars initial Study was a Great Idea!!:D).
The Results so far are very interesting indeed! as i say i am 2 years into this 5 year Study on how my Detecting patterns affects the Archaeology indiginous to my Sites.


(However may i stress that i started this Study on top of my Recorded Finds Report in the hope that it could help my local SMR/Unit understand the Sites that i search a little bit more as local Archaeology is important to me, hard facts were/are needed in order for the dialogue between the two camps to move forward,but this Study was set up with good intent in mind and not with the intention that it would have a diverse or a negative effect on the Hobby itself).

Cheers!

Darren

[Steve-B]

Great intiiative Darren, well done chap.

As Jerry said, there a lot more factors to take into account for this to form part of any in depth, however, yours is important as I feel it would be an eye opener, as David realised recently as to one the number of holes dug and two the ration of scrap/non recordable to recordable finds made.

More importantly it does provide even more information to accompany that from the recordable finds.

Same as Jerry I fully supoort the idea as long as the results are aceepted for what they are.

www.detector-distribution.co.uk

If a job is worth doing, then its worth doing it tomorrow!

Homer (Simpson)

[Paul Barford]

quote:[as David realised recently as to one the number of holes dug and two the ration of scrap/non recordable to recordable finds made. How's the Thornborough Rally report coming on Hosty?

[BAJR Host]

Actually finished, but jsut sending it to a couple of folks for editing/suggestions. Due to my odd writing style. (ie... I am a better speaker than writer.)



"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[garybrun]

God help us with the report then... because I can only just understand you when your talking :-)

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.

[DAZ 1900]

Many thanks to all who have posted with advice![8D],my thinking is that this Study warrents a second report rather than inclusion within my Recordable Finds Report as this imformation could be easily lost to researchers (should there be anybody researching this kind of subject material!:D) if it is contained within a Report for Recordable Finds etc..
I may also shorten the time span a little and start work on an interim report and i may run an extra copy or so off!!

So if you are still interested Hosty!!:D

Many thanks to Hosty,Paul,Steve and Jerry for the advice

Darren

[BAJR Host]

Yooos a bad man Mr Brun.... !

I am so blinking interested I have changed my breeks twice!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[garybrun]

Take a look at this one. :)
http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/view/imageview.php?imageID=001430B3F72010C0

ERM??????

http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.

[BAJR Host]

Could be... coulc be.... I guess we all make mistakes!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[garybrun]

Ive edited the other post link as its been changed :-)

Bloomin heck... I'll give you a full list in moment PAS.
Shall I send it via PM...:(
[8D]The oragami nail was the best one. :D