Roman Artifacts

[Gaius Octavius]

And some Brit stuff:

 

http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk...shartefacts.htm

[caldrail]

Considering the visits to museums featuring roman artifacts such as Swindon, Cirencester etc, one thing I notice is a definite disparity in quality. Most of the artifacts aren't particularly well made and therefore for common purchase I would say. However, a certain percentage are of much higher quality and without doubt intended for customers who appreciate the finer things in life and can afford them. I wonder if these finer objects were made to order or simply put on display until a wealthy person decided it would look good on the mantlepiece?

[Bryaxis Hecatee]

Well we know that in many instances luxury products came from afar : we know of red ware ceramic "sigill

[caldrail]

Yes its noticable that the collection of artifacts in my area is of low quality, local greyware for instance, or the remains of iron tools or bucket fittings. However, a crushed silver bowl was recovered from one villa site, and a wine strainer from okus ridge. Someone had obviously imported some of that red pottery as their sunday best.

[Northern Neil]

I feel a little uneasy about the link given at the start of this thread, and about metal detecting for personal gain full stop. Although the organisation based in Colchester may well be conscientious, and work in concert with archaeologists, I have had personl experience of metal detectorists ruining archaeological sites in my area. My personal view is that metal detectors and ancient sites ought not to really go together because an element of greed, to the detriment of the rest of us, always seems to creep in. Stuff that should go in museums ought not, in my view, end up in private collections, given that this material is finite in nature.

[Gaius Octavius]

I think that N.N. is right, yet I wonder if these items would be found else wise? Perhaps a legal venue could be provided for these hunters to be licensed and to receive a reward consummate with the value of a find.

[caldrail]

I feel a little uneasy about the link given at the start of this thread, and about metal detecting for personal gain full stop. Although the organisation based in Colchester may well be conscientious, and work in concert with archaeologists, I have had personl experience of metal detectorists ruining archaeological sites in my area. My personal view is that metal detectors and ancient sites ought not to really go together because an element of greed, to the detriment of the rest of us, always seems to creep in. Stuff that should go in museums ought not, in my view, end up in private collections, given that this material is finite in nature.

 

Agreed. Archaeology works best when items found are left in context, not simply hauled out of the ground. If you find something, what lies beside it? Is there a building on the site? Skeletal remains? Ancient debris or refuse? All things build up a little story of what was going on all those years ago. A metal detector, for all its usefulness, simply tells you something is there and the natural temptation is to pull it out of the ground and walk away to register your success in some way. Actually its a fail when you think about it.

[Gaius Octavius]

Caldrail, point well taken.