9th December 2005, 11:59 AM
Quote:quote:My main objection to the way in which finds are recorded, both here and in the PAS is the lack of Grid References which makes the finds next to useless in the eyes of most archaeologists. There are several parishes that I look after that have significant numbers of finds, but no grid references. If I had detailed locations, the finds could be used to plot former settlement patterns which is extremely valuable to us planning archaeologists.
Is the recording of grid references going to be one of your main aims for encouragement? I understand many of the objections MDs have to recording GRD but it still remains that most PAS records are useless to me because of it
Hi Hugh.
I can understand the need for good NGRs and on how they can help with research.
The UKDFD allows the recorder to register all the details and we encourage and will continue to encourage recording of grid references. The database will only show you Parish Level, as you know the reasons why many detectorists like to keep their find spots secret but people can apply for the information? see ukdfd.co.uk for further details.
This is where the problem arises out of encouraging people to record grid references?.
There is a long history of lack of trust between government bodies and archaeological folk within the detecting community as well as metal detectorists themselves and some see the PAS scheme as a body that is set up to take over the running of the political agenda of heritage in the UK or in other words make PAS the hub to government funded archaeology in England and Wales and to cover the Valletta agreement. That the information given will be used against their ?legal right? to enjoy their hobby. I know there are a lot of points for discussion here from both sides of the fence but I would rather not go into that as you know they have been discussed on many different forums.
It?s a very complicated subject to cover but UKDFD is not set up just for archaeological academics as I stated in my previous post above.
The UKDFD has given the recorder a few choices regarding their data.
1. They can share their data with the archaeological record.
UKDFD will pass the information on to the HER/PAS (say every quarter/ annum.. this hasn?t been negotiated yet)
2. UKDFD can pass on the recording details after 10yrs.
On a personal note and I have stated it on many forums? I would have everyone record to NGR 8-10 figures but I can?t force feed people my views as many like to do regarding this subject. Free choice is the key here.
For education and trust too filter its way down the system will take time but we are doing ?OUR? bit to collect as much information as the recorder will allow. The key here for us is that the recorder has ?full control of his own data? and this will win over some of sceptics to recording and the lack of ?trust? within the detecting community to anything governmental.
http://www.ukdfd.co.uk
Recording OUR heritage for future generations.