Among the growing number of metal detector users are the Ulster Treasure Seekers from Lurgan, County Armagh.
Amateur enthusiasts are using metal detectors to unearth a range of buried treasure ranging from bottle tops to coins, lost jewellery, pipes and larger objects. In Britain, a number of valuable discoveries have already been made with the aid of metal detectors so,
It's no wonder the fever is spreading.
In Lurgan, County Armagh, like minded treasure hunters have formed the Ulster Treasure Seekers Club. One of their members Laurence McVeigh is,
Caught in the grip of a prospecting fever, there’s no knowing what will set off his detectors high pitched signal.
Metal detectors can be bought for as little as £21. Higher end models can cost over £300. A metal detector can find metal coins about 10 centimetres below the surface and larger objects at up to 1.5 metres.
A licence is not required to use a metal detector on public property such as a beach. Members of the Ulster Treasure Seekers Club insist they act responsibly and would never venture into or interfere with an archaeological site.
By contrast, archaeologists require a licence to excavate a site and they regard the growing trade of metal detectors as a threat to historical sites. They have seen the archaeological site of Inch Abbey near Downpatrick in County Down illegally disturbed by amateurs using metal detectors to try and locate buried treasure.
Ulster Museum staff are also worried by the metal detecting craze and the threat of unscrupulous treasure hunters. Archaeologist with the Department of the Environment Chris Lynn fears if amateurs remove objects from a site they also
Remove dating evidence of great importance from these sites, if that’s removed the archaeological and historic value of them is greatly diminished.
Even if treasure hunters use metal detectors within the law, Chris Lynn does not understand,
How you can use a metal detector for the intention of digging to uncover archaeological objects and not break the law?
Therefore he would like to see the hobbyists hang up their metal detectors for good.
A 'Newsround’ report broadcast on 14 May 1978. The reporter is John Deering.
