‘Black Archaeology’ in Eastern Europe: Metal Detecting, Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Objects, and ‘Legal Nihilism’ in Belarus, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine

Much research on hobbyist metal detecting has either focused on the archaeological impact only, conflated hobbyism with criminal activity (namely looting and illicit trade), or generalized the motivations and drivers for metal detectorists. Studies to date have targeted specific countries and regions, with only limited reference to metal detecting activities elsewhere. This has meant that the transnational aspects of metal detecting – such as the international trade of metal-detected objects, and transnational movement of metal detectorists themselves (for example through touristic activities) – has mostly been overlooked or merely speculated upon. Much debate has revolved around assumptions, stymied by perceived ethical barriers and accepted attitudes which limit deeper engagement with the metal detecting community. Approaching the study of hobbyist metal detecting at a trans-European level would encourage greater understanding of the scale of hobbyist metal detecting and the world views, activities and contact and trade networks of metal detectorists. This may challenge traditionally-held perspectives concerning what should be valued as cultural heritage and who is entitled to make use of it. In this paper I set out our current state of knowledge, and propose directions for future research. Show more

The paper discusses the issue of the use of metal detectors in Poland in its legal and practical aspects. The possession and the use of metal detectors in Poland is legal, but to search for portable monuments a permit is required. All historical and archaeological finds belong to the State. Detectorists, whose number is estimated to over 50,000, commonly break the law by conducting illegal searches and by appropriation of the discovered objects. This paper describes legal and illegal activities of the detectorist community, giving numerous examples. The authors address the issue of prospects of cooperation between archaeologists and detectorists and comment on the attempts of the latter to depreciate archaeology and the principles of modern heritage management, as well as their rivalry with professional researchers. The authors believe that archaeologists should, therefore, speak and act for archaeology and heritage, instead of accepting the views of the detectorists. The paper also presents threats to archaeological heritage resulting from illegal metal detecting, and draws attention to the problem of low social awareness regarding the rules and needs of archaeological heritage protection in Poland. Solving these issues requires multidimensional activity, encompassing education and training, as well as the consequent prosecution of crimes against archaeological heritage. Show more