Why definition of treasure is changing – and what it means for detectorists
Spending their days in muddy fields armed with their metal detectors and packed lunches, Andy and Lance – aka actors Mackenzie Crook and Toby Jones – have brought the simple pleasure of searching for treasure to the masses, thanks to their hit comedy show Detectorists.
Demand for metal detectors has risen in recent years – with experts citing the series and pandemic lockdowns as possible reasons for the surge in popularity.
Under the current rules, newly discovered artefacts can only be legally classified as treasure if they are more than 300 years old and made of precious metal, or part of a collection of valuable objects or artefacts. But now, the legal definition of what constitutes as treasure is changing.
The government plans to amend the definition set out in the Treasure Act to cover more rare and precious archaeological finds, with the plans due to be laid before parliament next week. They are subject to debate, but if approved, the change would come into effect four months later.
It comes after a number of recent discoveries fell outside the definition of treasure, including “spectacular” Roman finds such as the Ryedale Hoard, now at York Museum, and the Birrus Britannicus figurine on display at Chelmsford Museum.
“While these artefacts were, thankfully, acquired by museums, this new definition will make it easier for them to do so in the future,” a spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told Sky News.
Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson and- Chelmsford Museum curatorial and learning officer Sarah Harvey, pictured with the Birrus Britannicus Roman figurine
But other finds have been lost to the public – the Roman Crosby Garrett Helmet, for example, which was sold at auction for £2.3m after being discovered by a metal detectorist in 2010. A private buyer outbid several museums to acquire the artefact.
The definition will mean that future discoveries of objects made of non-precious metals, such as the “exceptionally rare” Bronze Age Rudham dirk, a ceremonial dagger which has been on display at Norwich Museum Castle since 2104, after being dug up from a farmer’s field in Norfolk, could now be classed as treasure.
Read more:
Treasure hunt lasting 10 years finally ends
New wave of ‘mudlarkers’ digging up Britain’s treasures
But will all detectorists be happy at the news? Under the act, treasure is owned by the crown and a person who finds an object they believe to be treasure must notify the relevant authorities within 14 days.
Maurice Rogers, the former secretary of Colchester Metal Detecting Club, says he fears the move could drive metal detecting “underground” and result in people hoarding their interesting finds privately.
Potential treasure discoveries are assessed by a coroner and go through a formal process before they are classified and then acquired by a museum to go on display to the public.
There were 1,071 reported treasure finds in total across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2020, the latest year for which confirmed figures are available; the Treasure Act does not apply to Scotland The provisional figure for reported treasure finds in 2021 is 1,079 – making it the eighth year in a row when reported finds exceeded 1,000.
Following the change to the definition of treasure, there will no doubt be even more.
“At the moment, the definition says that an object has to be precious metal, and it has to be over 300 years old,” says Stephen Parkinson, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay and the minister for arts and heritage. “We want to bring that down to 200 years old. So that it can be made of any metal, but also have a new test for significance.
“So if something has importance to local, regional or national history, or a connection with a particular figure or event from our past, then it can be shared and saved and inspire people.”
The new criteria will apply to the most exceptional finds that are more than 200 years old, regardless of the type of metal they are made from, as they provide an important insight into the country’s heritage. This includes rare objects, those which provide a special insight into a particular person or event, or those which can shed new light on significant regional histories, the DCMS says.
For most detectorists, actual treasure discoveries are rare – just ask Andy and Lance. But there’s always a chance of finding the holy grail.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
Read more from Sky News:
Snoop Dogg becomes a co-owner of Swansea FC
American Idol TV executive and husband shot dead
One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
Read more from Sky News:
Ticketless Oasis fans blocked from gig
American Idol executive shot dead
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike