|
AN IMPORTANT NOTICE TO
DETECTORISTS FROM ABROAD VISITING ENGLAND
The subject of metal detectorists traveling to England and taking home their
finds has been the subject of media attention lately, especially after publicity
stating that "....a metal detectorist from Texas returning home was stopped
by Customs at Heathrow airport had
his finds withheld.."
The various newspaper articles suggested that this detectorist was taking
ancient relics out of the country. We decided to check the facts out.
We were informed of the following by the Portable Antiquities Outreach Officer
at the British Museum:-
""All items more than 50 years old require an export licence. a
detectorist should contact the Cultural Property Dept. .at the DCMS.
. It would not be unreasonable however for anyone planning a trip to at
least apply for the forms in advance The contact person is:
Lyn Gates.
Head of Export Licences Unit
Department for Culture Media and Sport
Export Licences Unit
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
Tel: 0171 2116163
Direct Line: 0171 216166
Fax: 0171 211 6170
The Portable Antiquities Outreach Officer at the British Museum says:-
"Export licenses take a minimum of a month to process. We would also say
that good advice would be to establish who is the local Finds Liaison Officer
where there is one, or who is a good contact in a local museums service. Then an
arrangement could be made whereby all the finds were shown to the local museum
and the two parties could assist each other with the export licence application.
It may speed things up if finds are recorded with the Finds Liaison Officer and
junk items are listed. We are led to believe that, because of work loads,
it can take some time to process the finds but this depends upon the individual
County where your finds are reported.
Also, anyone from outside Britain would need to be aware that accessing farmers'
land would have to come with permission and an agreement from the landowner.
Also, local council byelaws
concerning detecting on public and common land".
Send for a copy of the Treasure Act and familiarise yourself with it.
Write to the Department of National Heritage 2 - 4 Cockspur Street, London
SW1y 5DH and ask them to send you a copy of The Treasure Act 1996 Code of
Practice (England & Wales), this book is free of charge and will tell you
all you need to know.
| 
