Metal detectorist to auction Roman helmet

[Madweasels]

There is so much innuendo doing the circuit about this helmet. One person knows of a military specialist who has serious doubts about its authenticity, another has an enlightening talk to a PAS officer (enlightened in which way, please?), someone else doubts the union of the helmet with the griffin, someone else doubts the findspot. I don't think I have spoken to anyone yet who has said - yep, its the real deal because A, B, C etc. And yet the BM and PAS have given it a green light which, no doubt, has helped its value to go up and up. There is a lot of knowledge and experience there, but could even they have had the wool pulled over their eyes? What gives with this damn thing? Do we have another 'Piltdown', a 'Fujimura', or is it really a staggering British find? And think of the paradox. Whatever its authenticity it might still get a law changed. A law changed because of a possible (alleged) false find - and yet laws remain unchanged or not introduced while the mainstream profession is struggling harder and harder to make ends meet and preserve, on way or the other, the nation's heritage. Weird!!!

Our Hosty, you are very well-connected and I for one, along with many here, trust your analysis of the word on the street. Any chance of giving us a view? Or is it too tricky a thing to do - with allegations heaped on allegations - the makings of a classic modern day conspiracy theory. Whatever, a BAJR mini poll asking what the readers what they think, to gauge professional opinion based, of course, on just what we have heard and picked up, might be revealing. So, That Helmet - True or False. Its findspot - True or False. A British find - True or False.

[Dinosaur]

But will the Advisor be allowed a close look at it?

[Jack]

I had it on good authority that the only expert that saw the peices before it was 'reconstructed' was from the auction house so no one could check it was from where it was said it was from or assess what it would of actually looked like

[Dinosaur]

Ah, so someone can do a Sutton Hoo and rebuild it more to their liking later (possibly with horns?). Did it by any chance also come with a box of spare bits?

[moreno]

No conspiracy, just more info= Enlightened. Post wasn't meant to be taken as furthering any conspiracy. The conversation was just that, a conversation.

[Dinosaur]

Too late for that, suspect Dan brown already has chapters 1-12 already typed, featuring Jack and his Big Weapon as the Druidic Assassin....}

[Madweasels]

Moreno - I was not accusing you of furthering a conspiracy, but I don't have a friendly FLO close to hand to discuss the inside track on the background to this find. You know more - and perhaps among the more you know lies the truth. Can you enlighten us all or not? And if not, what are we to make of the silence? That, I am afraid, is where the stuff of conspiracy theories come from.

[BAJR]

All I want to say just now... is that the people at PAS I have talked to are happy with it... thats all i want to say jsut now. if that does not add to the conspiricy... we must respect the AUp ... remember.,,, some people have more moeny than me.

[moreno]

Madweasels- Actually, I've encouraged the individual to share with this forum first hand, unfortunately they won't (as of this latest post). The reason being is they find the atmosphere too caustic and have no desire to participate. So, while I couldn't give a monkeys, as long as they are fine with what I post, that's all that matters to me *shrugs* The Flo's I know are quite nice people, perhaps you might consider adopting one

[BAJR]

Madweasels- Actually, I've encouraged the individual to share with this forum first hand, unfortunately they won't (as of this latest post). The reason being is they find the atmosphere too caustic and have no desire to participate.

Which is a shame... but their perogative. I prefer to think of the forum as robust However, from what I have heard and talked briefly with a FLO they were happy ... 8anything else becomes a Dan Brown novel. moreno... keep on posting.

In Scotland of course, this would not be under discussion... so come on England and Wales... get yourself sorted out. :face-angel: