“Professional Amateurs”. Metal Detecting and Metal Detectorists in Denmark

• Authors: Andres S. Dobat , Astrid T. Jensen
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

From the beginning of metal-detector based archaeology practiced by members of the public, the formal heritage sector in Denmark determined to pursue a liberal model based on cooperation and inclusion rather than confrontation and criminalization. Based on the findings of the ‘2015 Danish detectorists survey’ it is argued that Danish metal-detector archaeology has challenged the classic division of roles in archaeology and heritage management, and that at least a large proportion of Danish detectorists practice their hobby adhering to the highest professional standards, which stand in sharp contrast to the often-cited stereotype of the detectorists as mere ‘treasure hunter’.

Keywords

EN

metal-detector; heritage; databases; citizen science; Denmark

• Publisher: Sciendo
• Journal: Open Archaeology
• Year: 2016
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1

Dates

received

2016-03-16

accepted

2016-06-10

online

2016-08-12

Contributors

author

Andres S. Dobat

• School of Culture and Society (Archaeology), Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark

author

Astrid T. Jensen

• School of Culture and Society (Archaeology), Aarhus University, Moesgård Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg, Denmark

Identifiers

DOI

10.1515/opar-2016-0005