All the more reason we don't want the UK style treasure laws here.
In this case, didn't they defraud the land owner?
...
Then maybe I didn't read the article closely enough. I thought the "crime" was failing to alert the crown.
Yes: If the theft was a failure to abide by a split with the land-owner, then yes: That can happen here in the USA too. That would be a civil matter between 2 individuals. As-to-how they agree to splits.
But if the matter involves the crown (ie.: their fair-share and how-they-think it's valued, etc....) then no : Much better that it's left to private property owners to decide on. If someone is "hell-bent" on breaking a contract/agreement, then .... no amount of added "laws" change that.
In any event, the mere fact that there's been a failure to report (to the crown or to the land-owner) over there, simply shows that their UK law system is not some sort of "cat's meow" that solves all archie/legal stuff. If anything : The less that the govt. and archies think of us : The better.
Their Country, their Laws Tom!
I guess I'm having a hard time trying to under stand the vitriol I so often see on this forum against history and archeologists. Is it really only about money for some of you? You really could not care less about the historical significance of a find like the one mentioned in this thread?....
Any "treasure" found in the UK technically belongs to the Crown. The finder has a legal obligation to report such finds.
The items are valued and when a museum buys them, the money is split between the finder and the landowner.
As a Brit, I approve of this system, and it ensures that important finds can be followed up by proper archaeological excavations, adding to our understanding of our history. Finds also are more likely to end up in a museum for everyone to enjoy.
If the archaeological dig beings up additional items, they would likely be considered part of the same find and the money from the sale would be split between the finder and the landowner.
Yep, it's UK law. They should have followed it. By being greedy, they ended up with a criminal record and no money or glory from the find.
Any "treasure" found in the UK technically belongs to the Crown
This is what riles us up here in the USA. To say "the Crown" owns everything dug up is preposterous. Your land, your coins and relics. What gives them the right to grab anything off of private land? Because the country is run as an archaic monarchy? You're not really free if the government can grab your possessions and tell you how much they're going to give you for the find.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLCEUpIg8rE
That sounds fair, ...
This is what riles us up here in the USA. To say "the Crown" owns everything dug up is preposterous. Your land, your coins and relics. What gives them the right to grab anything off of private land? ....
There seem to be quite a few countries where metal detecting is totally band or has severe restrictions: https://md-hunter.com/list-of-countries-where-metal-detecting-is-allowedbanned/
uh .... And what's your point ? If it's about this thread (the UK system and some dudes who apparently skirted it) then : The UK system (even if/when adopted by the other countries) does nothing to solve it. In fact, to even start SUGGESTING any "hand-holding" between archies and md'rs, in those countries (and the USA, for that matter) will simply/only lead to more RESTRICTIONS. Not "allowances".
And as for your link : I very-much question all those "dire sounding restrictions". You have to ask yourself : How did someone come up with any-such-compendium, IN THE FIRST PLACE ? Easy : He (drum-roll) ASKED. Right ? You pick up the phone, or hit an email button and say "Hi, can I metal detect there ?
Your pressing question gets bandied about from desk to desk, till it lands on the desk of a purist archie. Who .... finds something that he thinks applies. Eg.: "registering devices" and "archaeological sites" and "historic artifacts", and "shipwreck salvor" and "raiding the pyramids", etc..... and presto: Dire sounding news. Eh ? Gee, aren't ya glad ya asked ? Meanwhile : Long-time locals in all those countries are scratching their heads saying "Since when ? " and "says who ?" and "gee, no one ever had a problem" .
The classic cases of "No one cared, till you asked" routines Yup, it even happens on an international scale. And if anyone ever disputes such silly answers, guess what someone else is sure to do, to "get the matter clarified" ? Drumroll : Ask a bored pencil pusher border bureaucrat. See the vicious self-fulling loop ! ? Aaaaggghhhh
Their Country, their Laws Tom!