Largest Hoard of Anglo-Saxon Treasure Found

**slohairt** · 24th September 09, 08:28 PM

I can't believe Time Team didn't find it first!

**Morris at Heathfield** · 24th September 09, 09:04 PM

It's been 70 years since Sutton Hoo. I didn't expect anything like this would still be lying around to be found. Of course, nearby Tamworth was the capital of the kingdom of Mercia. Somewhere Professor Tolkien is smiling.

**beloitpiper** · 24th September 09, 09:16 PM

That. Is. AWESOME! I wish I could find something like that... Too bad it was found by a treasure hunter.

**Highland Logan** · 25th September 09, 01:39 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

That. Is. AWESOME! I wish I could find something like that... Too bad it was found by a treasure hunter.

I'm not sure what you mean? In England the rule of law is that anything over 300 years old belongs to the Crown. However the practice is that museums pay a fair market price to the finder. To show how honost this guy was, the also law says (from what I have heard) that you do not have to report a treasure find. Which means he could have kept it and sold it on the black market. This guy however reported it and made sure he catalogued everything for the archaeologist who took over the site.

Frank

**Chas** · 25th September 09, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

I'm not sure what you mean? In England the rule of law is that anything over 300 years old belongs to the Crown. However the practice is that museums pay a fair market price to the finder. To show how honost this guy was, the also law says (from what I have heard) that you do not have to report a treasure find. Which means he could have kept it and sold it on the black market. This guy however reported it and made sure he catalogued everything for the archaeologist who took over the site.

Frank

Not true. If it is gold or silver or platinum or gemstone (cut or raw) or if you believe that it might be, in the UK, it must be reported to the police as soon as possible (some finders have been admonished for late reporting). A coroner's court will then decide if it is treasure trove.

Here is a link, which goes into great detail of the law:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasure_trove

Regards

Chas

**Ancienne Alliance** · 25th September 09, 04:52 AM

Wow Terry !

These are the kind of stories I like !

Best,

Robert

**beloitpiper** · 25th September 09, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by Highland Logan

I'm not sure what you mean? In England the rule of law is that anything over 300 years old belongs to the Crown. However the practice is that museums pay a fair market price to the finder. To show how honost this guy was, the also law says (from what I have heard) that you do not have to report a treasure find. Which means he could have kept it and sold it on the black market. This guy however reported it and made sure he catalogued everything for the archaeologist who took over the site.

Frank

True, but I just worry anytime "treasure" is found. I don't doubt his honesty in reporting the find, but I worry about the care he used in finding the hoard. I know how careful and delicate our excavations have to be and I know how easy it is to get excited and damage something...

**Jock Scot** · 25th September 09, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

True, but I just worry anytime "treasure" is found. I don't doubt his honesty in reporting the find, but I worry about the care he used in finding the hoard. I know how careful and delicate our excavations have to be and I know how easy it is to get excited and damage something...

According to the large news coverage last night ,the fellow, to his credit, did everything correctly, including informing the relevant authorities who provided skilled people to continue the search. How honest is that, when you consider that he was an unemployed man who could have said nothing.Full marks to him. In fact how it works, half the "reward" goes to the finder and half goes to the land owner and the nation benifits, as a whole, by the find being put on show in a museum.

**KiltedSurveyor** · 25th September 09, 07:55 AM

What a great find! Makes you wonder what other archeological evidence might be nearby. If this was someone's personal stash, you'd think they would probably have lived close, and since the treasure was this spectacular it would reason that the dwellings/fortifications were substantial. If so, there might be more evidence around. I'm looking forward to future finds!

**Chas** · 25th September 09, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

According to the large news coverage last night ,the fellow, to his credit, did everything correctly, including informing the relevant authorities who provided skilled people to continue the search. How honest is that, when you consider that he was an unemployed man who could have said nothing.Full marks to him. In fact how it works, half the "reward" goes to the finder and half goes to the land owner and the nation benifits, as a whole, by the find being put on show in a museum.

Maybe in Scotland, but certainly not in England and I believe also not in Wales. When one buys property one takes possession "of all that stands on or below" XXXX (the name or address of the property). Unless by common knowledge or stated in the land-deeds, this also includes any and all mineral rights. That is to say, that if you are buying property in a known coal mining area there is a good chance that there is a coal mine under your property already over which you have no rights or say. So you buy the property - you own the lot - above and below ground.

Most detectorists, who operate within the law in England, come to an agreement with the land owner first - a kind of pre-nuptial agreement. Otherwise they stand to loose the lot. The organisation that guides detectorists has some down-loadable agreements on their website, just for that purpose.

Regards

Chas