The grant from Historic England is a step forward towards the setting up of a new organisation to support and train metal detectorists in the UK.
Working with archaeologists and others in the heritage sector, the ‘Institute of Detectorists’ aims to provide training opportunities to promote responsible metal detecting and examine how metal detecting has been beneficial in the investigation of archaeological sites and landscapes.
The project will explore how best to develop the institute and help to establish an agenda for best practice as well as determining how this can be taught as part of a national training programme. It will also support voluntary self-regulation and provide a platform for detectorists to demonstrate their competence and skills to others.
Icon has been invited to join the Project Advisory Board to help steer the development of the Institute. Icon will be represented by Pieta Greaves ACR due to her expertise and background. Pieta was the main author of the current PAS conservation advice for finders and has a monthly article highlighting conservation in The Searcher metal detecting magazine.
Membership of the advisory board will allow Icon to constructively contribute to forming the aims and objectives and the future running of the organisation. It is an opportunity for Icon to influence how metal detecting is conducted for the benefit of heritage by ensuring that the practice of metal detecting is not destructive to the archaeological record and that it positively contributes to furthering our knowledge of the past.
