Metal detecting in England and Wales

Abstract

The transatlantic trade in antiquities sourced from England and Wales is one in which there are few assurances regarding the legitimacy of a find. Much of this stems from a general lack of antiquities legislation as well as a general lack of due diligence exercised by auction houses regarding legal title. This paper examines current antiquities legislation in England and Wales and explores the mechanisms through which archaeological finds appear on the antiquities market. This paper argues that the permissive system and the general lack of protection afforded to archaeological artefacts in England and Wales result in a market containing thoroughly mixed antiquities, from the entirely licit to the entirely illicit, and with a significant hazy area between. This hazy area includes finds that have been recovered lawfully but with damage to the archaeological record. The transatlantic trade in antiquities sourced from England and Wales therefore presents a range of ethical issues as well as legal ones.