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+--- Thread: Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet (/showthread.php?tid=3450)
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - ex-archaeologist - 13th September 2010
I have just found this on the Guardian and unlike the Onion article, I fear that it is not a joke
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/sep/13/roman-helmet-metal-detector-cumbria
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - Silent Bob - 13th September 2010
Jeebus, never seen this before. Would have been nice to know what it looked like before it was 'excavated' and restored.
:0
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - Dinosaur - 13th September 2010
Ouch! About time the Treasure Act was re-thought? Maybe to cover all objects above a certain monetery value?
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - BAJR - 13th September 2010
True... there are a lot of people in shock at this one... including many many detectorists.... \of course up here in Jockoland, we have a simple Treasure system... It is |ALL treasure, from a piece of blue and white to a gold torc.. it must be reported and then the SAFAP (of which I am a member, decide on a ex gratia payment - though this is not a given) and also where it should be deposited with. because this has no precious metal... it ain't treasure in England... so its fair game.. all legal and sorted... what a missed opportunity from the 1996 Treasure Act.. ah well...
Of course a reward should be made... but the system in England and Wales is.. ahem flawed in my opinion... I hope the cost of conservation is deducted! :face-huh:
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - trowelfodder - 13th September 2010
Seems like a very lucky find to me - a complete helmet, that well preserved found alone, out of context and face down in mud!
How fortunate there was not a single accompanying artifact with it allowing it to not be subject to the pesky treasure act this is insanity
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - Dirty Boy - 13th September 2010
trowelfodder Wrote:Seems like a very lucky find to me - a complete helmet, that well preserved found alone, out of context and face down in mud!
How fortunate there was not a single accompanying artifact with it allowing it to not be subject to the pesky treasure act this is insanity
Sadly it seems according to the various articles around it appears Christies "fixed it" which is a bit shocking.
Looks definately like the Treasure Act needs an update, ie; No is - is it more than X% precious metal? Instead:
DOES IT LOOK LIKE FRIKKIN' TREASURE? !!!
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - Mike.T. - 13th September 2010
Good for him, if he wants to sell it, he found it.
Anyway the same thing will happen as did with the Middleham Jewel, it won't be granted an export license and will probably be bought by a British Museum.
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - BAJR - 13th September 2010
Here I am with Mike T. It is good that is was found, rather than not found, and in defence, they did indeed record it with the PAS... it has been restored (by who?) they have acted within the law... BUT... and this is not their fault, the laws regarding 'treasure' in England and wales are frankly mince.
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - Dinosaur - 14th September 2010
Pretty huge 'restoration' - it was in 9 bits when found, the face looks just a bit too good, but suppose will add a couple of 100k to the sale price (no one except archaeologists wants a battered helmet). Yes, interesting to know what conservation records were kept....
Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet - Unitof1 - 14th September 2010
the report says 30 pieces. It this another subsoiled site. Is there a way to find out?