Searching with a metal detector is a method eagerly used by both scientists and history enthusiasts. In Geekweek we often mention fascinating discoveries that have been made, for example, in connection with the activities of historical and exploration associations. Their members they use metal detectors to search selected areas of the area based on the consent of the conservator of monuments.
The problem arises when the person going into the field with a detector does not have such consent. Ignoring current regulations regarding treasure hunting can lead to serious consequences. They concern not only the possible punishment for the perpetrator, but also problems with the findings themselves. Illegal extraction of artefacts may lead to their destruction and deprive scientists of valuable data regarding the context of the find.
Such a situation occurred in the province. West Pomeranian Voivodeship. On October 18, the West Pomeranian Police published a message informing about the interception of a deposit from the Bronze Age, which was found during an illegal search for monuments in Gryfino.
The announcement stated that “due to the nature of the items: weapons, necklaces, shields, sickles, bronze spearheads – it is rather a treasure“. It counts over 100 monuments, including “73 large objects and their assemblies, such as e.g. 30 bronze necklaces and several silver items“.
– The treasure was obtained as a result of illegal searches for antiquities and then excavated from the groundcompletely losing the context of the find, which deprives the find of the possibility of further radiocarbon dating and determining the circumstances in which the objects were hidden – said Superintendent. Dr. Marek Łuczak.
Moreover, the find itself was also violated. The perpetrators broke a clay pot that was in the collection. According to the information obtained by the uniformed officers, “after being found, the items were planted by unknown persons at the headquarters of the association dealing with the history of the Gryfino region.” The association delivered on October 18 numbering approx. 3 thousand years of collection of artifacts archaeologists from the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Szczecin.
– A police officer from the Police Headquarters in Szczecin, responsible for the case, was informed about the case recovering stolen works of art. The police officer identified the people who exchanged photos of the treasure before it was sent to the conservator, and where it was actually located now, the report said.
A large collection of monuments from the Bronze Age, according to the information provided in the press release, “one of the greatest treasures discovered in Poland in recent years“, which makes the case even more important. The investigation is being conducted by the District Police Headquarters in Gryfino, which aims not only to identify the perpetrators of the incident, but also to find the exact place where the treasure was found.
– The Provincial Conservator of Monuments submitted notification of a crime by unknown perpetrators who found the vault using metal detectors, without consent to search – an offense under Art. 109c of the Act on the Protection and Care of Monuments and destroyed a monument such as an archaeological site – an act under Art. 108 of the Act, endangered imprisonment for up to 8 years – explains the police.
Source: geekweek.interia.pl
