Looting at English Heritage Sites

Old Sarum © David Gill

It has been noted that reported incidents of looting at heritage sites in England have doubled in the last year ("English Heritage urges end to illegal metal detecting at historic sites", BBC News 27 February 2020). The sites include:

• The site of the Battle of Hastings
• Goodrich Castle
• Old Sarum

It is noted that up to 75 holes were dug at each site.

Back in 2015 I noted that such incidents were falling outside the definition of "Heritage Crime" that was being promoted by some commentators. 

Are such incidents being trivialised by some in the academic community? The archaeological record needs to be protected from such acts of looting.

Stonehenge and the National Trust

Stonehenge (c) David Gill

Stonehenge is part of one of the most important prehistoric (and historic) landscapes in England. A members' resolution has been presented to the National Trust AGM on Saturday (21 October 2017) that aims to protect and preserve the integrity of the UNESCO World Heritage site in the face of the proposed tunnel construction.

Members of the National Trust can vote on the resolution on-line here. Details of the resolution can be downloaded here.

The Heritage Journal lays out some of the concerns here.

• Details of the story from the BBC
• Rescue on the Resolution

Weeting Castle and metal-detecting

Weeting Castle © David Gill

It has been reported that metal-detectorists have been investigating the area around the English Heritage property of Weeting Castle in Norfolk (Rebecca Murphy, "Reports of illegal metal detecting near the historic Weeting Castle", Watton & Swaffham Times 13 February 2017).

The incident is believed to have involved seven men and to have taken place around Weeting Castle area over three consecutive nights towards the end of January and beginning of February.

I presume that we will be hearing a strong condemnation from Historic England.

Old Oswestry

2006

In 1955 Lord Harlech described the hill fort at Old Oswestry as 'perhaps the most elaborate in the country'. The English Heritage Heritage Unlocked book on the Midlands describes its earthworks as 'among the most impressive of any British hill fort'.

Yet this week Shropshire County Council voted to damage the landscape setting of this important monument. Full details are available on the Heritage Journal ("Is The Campaign to Protect Rural England the best heritage conservation body?", 18 December 2015).

This is a huge disappointment to those of us who value Britain's archaeological and built heritage.

Woodhenge sign stolen

Source: Historic England

The site of Woodhenge in Wiltshire was discovered in the 1920s through aerial observation and it was excavated in 1928. It was placed in state guardianship and metal plaques erected by the Ministry of Works to interpret the site for visitors.

This important part of the heritage of the site has now been stolen.

Woodhenge lies some 2 miles from Stonehenge.

Phil McMahon, inspector of ancient monuments for Historic England is quoted ("Historic prehistoric monument Woodhenge plaques stolen", BBC News November 28, 2015):

The sad theft of these historic plaques has deprived us of an important aspect of the story of Woodhenge. 

They represent a key part of one of the earliest attempts to interpret and present to the public the complex and internationally-significant prehistoric monuments of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. 

We very much hope that the plaques can be recovered and restored to their rightful place at Woodhenge.

Metal-detecting at Castlerigg Stone Circle

Video shot taken inside the circle. Posted April 2015.

The Castlerigg stone circle is located near Keswick in Cumbria. Aurbrey Burl describes is as 'one of the earliest circles in Europe' (Burl, no. 18). The site is under the guardianship of English Heritage and is managed by the National Trust. (It was taken into State care in 1883.)

A video posted on YouTube in April 2015 [12 minutes] noted what appears to be metal-detecting activity on the site, including within the circle.

The stone circle was "... one of the earliest Ancient Scheduled Monuments ever designated in the UK, giving it special legal protection".

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 states:

If a person uses a metal detector in a protected place without the written consent of the Commission (in a case of a place situated in England) or of the Secretary of State (in any other case)] he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction ...

This is yet another case of a nationally significant site, and one in public care, being targeted by metal-detectors. Some would, no doubt, call this 'heritage crime'.

I am grateful to Paul Barford for drawing my attention to this video.

For a view of the site in its setting:

For scenic splendour, Castlerigg stone circle is very, very hard to beat. Drone pic from today. @lakedistrictnpa pic.twitter.com/HvbtnsRqrl
— Iain Cameron (@theiaincameron) April 7, 2015

Searching heritage sites in Devon by night

Plympton police warning 'treasure hunters' not to break the law #HeritageCrime #Nighthawking http://t.co/ZezXcqMbIr @DC_PCC @DC_Police
— EH Heritage Crime (@EHHeritageCrime) February 16, 2015

It appears that a police officer apprehended an individual searching the Castle Green by torchlight at Plympton St Maurice in Devon. The site is recorded by English Heritage as follows "This garden or other land is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special historic interest."

Is there a need to renew the debate about the need to protect heritage sites in England?

I am grateful to Paul Barford for drawing my attention to the incident.

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Heritage Crime and the need to protect Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall at Cawfields Crags © David Gill

It appears that illegal metal detecting has been taking place along the line of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland (Tony Henderson, "Heritage crime concern on Hadrian's Wall because of illegal digging", Chronicle 10 February 2015). The hunting has taken place in the central section of the wall to the west of the well-preserved fort at Housesteads.

This is discussed in the wider context of 'Heritage Crime'.

Mark Harrison, English Heritage national crime advisor said: “The practice of nighthawking, particularly from such important sites as Hadrian’s Wall, is an issue that we take very seriously. 

“We recognise that the majority of the metal detecting community comply with the laws and regulations relating to the discovery and recovery of objects from the land, but just as it is against the law to break into someone’s house and steal their possessions, so it is illegal to damage land and steal valuable historical artefacts. 

“The objects they are stealing belong to the landowner, in this case the National Trust, and the history they are stealing belongs to all of us.”

Quarrying along the line of the wall in the 1920s and 1930s brought about a major shift in the attitude towards heritage monuments in their wider setting (see here). This deliberate damage to a world heritage monument should renew the discussion of how the finite archaeological record is being damaged in a quite deliberate way.

Elsewhere Harrison has called for 'research, debate and ultimately influence [to drive] the changes necessary to protect and preserve the world's cultural and historic environment'. How will Harrison and English Heritage seek to influence the necessary changes to protect our universal heritage?

Some of the issues were raised in the forum piece for the Papers of the Institute of Archaeology.

Metal Detectorists raid English Heritage site in Kent

#Kent Police search for illegal metal detectorists who have targeted historic #Eynsford Castle @kentpolicerural http://t.co/TQCGCp8v7V
— EH Heritage Crime (@EHHeritageCrime) July 9, 2014

The grounds of Eynsford Castle in Kent (not far from Lullingstone Roman Villa) have been pockmarked by what appear to be the telltale signs of metal-detecting. This is a protected site and there can be no excuse for this activity.

Such infringements bring us back to the core issues raised in the forum debate in the Papers of the Institute of Archaeology [link].

English Heritage: Consultation

DCMS and English Heritage have published the consultation document, 'English Heritage New Model', today, December 76, 2013. Only yesterday the Heritage Alliance AGM was discussing the not-yet-published consultation document.

I am sure that readers of LM will be interested in the document and no doubt will wish to respond to the DCMS.

The announcement comes with a further £5m [press release].

Men from the Ministry

I have just finished reading Simon Thurley's Men from the Ministry: How Britain saved its heritage (Yale University Press, 2013) [Amazon]. Thurley, the Head of English Heritage, is passionate about his subject. This is like reading a biography of buildings, monuments and locations that I have known for decades: from the Neolithic flint mines at Grime's Graves in Norfolk, to east Anglian windmills; from medieval castles to Victorian coastal defences. Although the subtitle includes 'Britain' the focus of the study is England. However Tintern Abbey and Beaumaris Castle (both in Wales) get honourable mentions, as does Edinburgh Castle. The book explains how specific monuments came to be protected and the rationale for including (or excluding) areas around them. It is striking how the impact of earlier recessions had an impact on what was saved (and lost).

The book explains the changing bodies such as the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works (MPBW), the Department of the Environment, and then English Heritage. There is a discussion of the distinctive 'guardian' huts, the introduction of the lawnmower, as well as the creation of that distinctive signage. Thurley explains guardianship responsibilities of other bodies such as the National Trust. There are chapters dedicated to Stonehenge and to the saving of Hadrian's Wall.

The final chapter is provocative, not least in the present economic climate. Thurley compares spending on heritage per head of population in 2011: Scotland (£10), Wales (£5.50) and England (£2). He notes the money spent on 'saving' three pictures - £34.88 million, and £95 million - and wonders if such a strategy is sustainable.

Looted Suffolk and Digital Heritage

Dig Venturers gather for DVIP lecture
at Leiston Abbey © David Gill

On Thursday evening I was invited to be the DVIP at the Dig Venturers Excavation at Leiston Abbey. It was a glorious summer evening and we were able to sit outside the barn. My starting point was the looting of the Icklingham bronzes and I showed that one of the pieces features on the back cover of the standard work on Roman Suffolk. I took along the Harvard exhibition catalogue with one of the heads. This volume provides information about the "provenance" and its link to Suffolk. I also showed the Shelby White / Leon Levy Metropolitan Museum of Art catalogue and explained how some of this material has been returned to Greece and Italy (and, indeed, to Turkey) as a result of photographic recognitions.

Will Shelby White be returning this significant finds to Suffolk for display in the Ipswich Museum?

The discussion branched into the encyclopedic museum (including the nature of "the British Museum"), excavations in war-time (including Gallipoli [of interest to one of the Australian Dig Venturers]), where the Sutton Hoo finds should be displayed, and digital heritage. We explored how we could use Web 2.0 technologies to crowd-source the interpretation of a site.

So, thank you, Dig Venturers, for a wonderful evening.

"If you get a slap on the wrist, you just do it again"

Simon Thurley, the Chief Executive of English Heritage has been speaking about Heritage Crime in England ("Courts must get tough on vandals, says heritage chief", Daily Telegraph, December 26, 2012). The interview specifically talked about the damage to Priddy Circles. His strongest words were about metal-detecting, no doubt in the light of the Irchester case, as he added:

However, Mr Thurley said there was evidence that many of those who targeted historic monuments, including metaldetector users who dug up archaeologically rich sites looking for valuable artefacts, were "habitual" offenders.

He suggested that some thieves even trawled English Heritage's databases of protected sites looking for places likely to contain rich pickings.

"There is no disincentive. If you get a slap on the wrist, you just do it again," he said.

In the case of Irchester the scheduling is unequivocal.

Heritage Crime matters in Suffolk

I have noticed that there continues to be much discussion about the removal of archaeological objects from previously unknown sites (or even scheduled ones) in England and Wales. I note that this is of particular concern in Suffolk where Councillor Guy MacGregor is quoted:

"Theft and vandalism of Suffolk’s rich and irreplaceable heritage is on the increase. Heritage crime blights communities and must be stopped, which is why I am delighted to commit Suffolk County Council to this new initiative to work alongside local communities, farmers, landowners, the police and English Heritage to tackle it and protect Suffolk's heritage." 

Suffolk now has now signed up to a Heritage Crime initiative. And how is heritage crime defined for Suffolk?

Heritage crimes in Suffolk have included metal detecting during night time raids on the Roman town in Icklingham and on Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, as well as the theft of lead from church roofs and ancient oak chests from inside them. 

Other heritage crimes include damaging ancient monuments, metal detecting and unlawful excavations on archaeological sites spraying graffiti, arson, vandalism, and the alteration or demolition of listed buildings without consent.

So in 2012 there continue to be concerns for the much discussed site of Icklingham, source of the Roman bronzes currently owned by a well-known New York collector of antiquities.

Operation Totem: English heritage related crime

I have discussed the shortcomings of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in the Papers of the Institute of Archaeology. One of the concerns was under-reporting of finds by metal-detectorists.

I note that Operation Totem has yielded a "catch" in Lincolnshire ("Lenient sentence given to metal detecting thief", Horncastle News August 29, 2012).

A metal dectector enthusiast has been convicted of theft in so-called ‘nighthawking’ trips in the Horncastle area. [The individual from Yorkshire] faced nine allegations of theft between January 1 and July 8 2011, one allegation of going equipped for theft on June 5 and two allegations of possession of criminal property at his home on July 8. 

He denied all the offences but was convicted of eight offences of theft and of going equipped for theft by District Judge John Stobart at Skegness Magistrates Court last week.

More detail is given:

After a police raid at his home in July 2011, police found a large quantity of objects  - brooches, coins, pins and seals - two of which were found to have precious metal content in excess of 10 per cent which should have been declared as treasure to the Coroner. 

It also transpired that between July 2010 and May 2011, [the main] advertised 56 items on E-Bay and had sold approximately 30 of them. He had also entered the items referred to in the charges on to the UK Detectors database for recording finds. He stated they had all been found in May 2011 by him in Lincolnshire.

I notice that the other report from Horncastle ("Police send clear message sent to illegal nighthawkers", August 29, 2012) claims that the police worked in partnership with English Heritage "who were able to provide the support and advice on aspects of heritage-related crime". Sergeant Booth who led the investigation is quoted at length:

“Operation Totem was introduced to deal with concerns raised by members of the farming community who were suffering from persons illegally using metal detectors on their property. 

“This was resulting in significant damage to crops and the loss of unique historic artefacts.  

“A great deal of work was carried out by the officers involved in the operation to bring offenders to justice and to send out a clear message that illegal metal detecting and heritage crime will be taken seriously. 

“Many people seem to hold the opinion that metal detecting is a harmless hobby and feel that they have a right to roam and use their equipment at will, where they like, without permission or any likelihood of facing the consequences of their illegal actions. 

“While there are many responsible people who legitimately enjoy metal detecting with the permission of land owners, while using the proper channels to register and dispose of items that they may find, there are a small minority who persist in operating outside the law.”

I note that it is English Heritage taking a lead against English "heritage-related crime".

UK Quango cuts announced

The UK ConDem Coalition government has announced a list of quangos that will be cut (full list).

Here are the cuts relating to heritage bodes.

• Museums, Libraries and Archives Council: Abolish body and transfer functions
• Railway Heritage Committee: Abolish body and functions
• Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites: Abolish body and transfer functions in relation to England to English Heritage
• Advisory Committee on National Historic Ships: Declassify and transfer functions
• Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection: Declassify and reconstitute as a committee of experts

The following bodies are retained:

• Museums listed as: Museums and Galleries (British Museum, Horniman Museum, Geffrye Museum, Imperial War Museum, Museum of Science and Industry Manchester, National Gallery, National Maritime Museum, National Museum of Science and Industry, National Museums Liverpool, National Portrait Gallery, Natural History Museum, Royal Armouries, Sir John Sloane's Museum, Tate Gallery, Victoria & Albert Museum, Wallace Collection)
• National Museum of the Royal Navy
• National Army Museum
• Royal Air Force Museum
• English Heritage
• Historic Royal Palaces
• Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art
• Treasure Valuation Committee

Call for Bluestones to return to Pembrokeshire

Recent archaeological fieldwork on the slopes of Carn Menyn in the Preseli mountains in south-west Wales have identified the likely quarry sites for the bluestones erected at Stonehenge, the World Heritage site in Wiltshire.

Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, is quoted on the BBC ("Excavation starts at Stonehenge", March 31, 2008): 

"The bluestones hold the key to understanding the purpose and meaning of Stonehenge."

Recent excavations have shown the intended layout of the bluestones at Stonehenge (see English Heritage Timewatch video).
 
In a surprise move Y Gymuned Ffyliaid Ebrill has called for the symbolic return of one of the bluestones from Salisbury Plain. A spokesperson from the Pembrokeshire-based group explained that they would be making their case later this month at the Cairo conference where various countries will be calling for the return of cultural property:

The bluestones are as important to the people of Pembrokeshire as the Rosetta Stone is to the people of Egypt. We are not asking for all the stones to be returned: just the one. And a generous sponsor has agreed to make a copy for display at Stonehenge; nobody will know the difference.

In response, the Ancient Cambrian Cromlech Group issued a press statement condemning the move: 

The bluestones have a more appropriate context in the wilds of Salisbury Plain. More motorists see the stones from the A303 as they travel to the West Country than there are walkers in the Preseli Mountains. They are an integral part of the Wiltshire landscape.

Full details of the Cairo conference will be issued shortly.

Image
© David Gill, 2010