Metal Detector Use in Protected Places

Metal detecting often causes serious damage to monuments, not only to the fabric of the monument, but also to its interpretation and understanding once archaeological objects have been removed from their archaeological context. It is an offence under Article 29 of the 1995 Order to possess and use a metal detector in a protected place (any place which is the site of a scheduled monument or any monument in the ownership or care of the Department) without prior consent from the Department. An Environment and Heritage Service guide entitled "Metal Detectors and the Law" explains the law and procedure for gaining consent. Consent is not normally given except for bona fide, non-destructive research purposes.