Editing Metal detector (section)

=== Archaeology ===
Metal detectors are widely used in archaeology with the first recorded use by military historian Don Rickey in 1958 who used one to detect the firing lines at [[Battle of the Little Bighorn|Little Big Horn]]. However archaeologists oppose the use of metal detectors by "artifact seekers" or "site looters" whose activities disrupt archaeological sites.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=25616646|title=Metal Detector Use in Archaeology: An Introduction|first1=Melissa|last1=Connor|first2=Douglas D.|last2=Scott|date=1 January 1998|journal=Historical Archaeology|volume=32|issue=4|pages=76–85|doi=10.1007/BF03374273|s2cid=163861923}}</ref> The problem with use of metal detectors in archaeological sites or hobbyist who find objects of archeological interest is that the context that the object was found in is lost and no detailed survey of its surroundings is made. Outside of known sites the significance of objects may not be apparent to a metal detector hobbyist.<ref name="NYT011617">{{cite news|author1=Tyler J. Kelley|title=Archaeologists and Metal Detectorists Find Common Ground|work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/science/archaeology-metal-detectorists-pequot.html|access-date=21 January 2017|issue=The New York Times|date=16 January 2017|quote=The difference between archaeology and looting, explained Brian Jones, Connecticut’s state archaeologist, is the recording of context.}}</ref>

====England and Wales====
In [[England and Wales]], metal detecting is legal provided that the landowner has granted permission and that the area is not a [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]], a [[site of special scientific interest]] (SSSI), or covered by elements of the [[Countryside Stewardship Scheme]].

The [[Treasure Act 1996]] governs whether or not items that have been discovered are defined as treasure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/24/crossheading/meaning-of-treasure|title=Treasure Act 1996 – Meaning of "treasure"|publisher=HMSO|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> 
Finders of items that the Act defines as treasure must report their finds to the local coroner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/24/crossheading/coroners-jurisdiction|title=Treasure Act 1996 – Coroners jurisdiction|publisher=HMSO|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref>
If they discover items which are not defined as treasure but that are of cultural or historical interest, finders can voluntarily report them to the [[Portable Antiquities Scheme]]<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gov.uk/treasure|title=Report Treasure|publisher=HM Government|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref> and the UK Detector Finds Database.

====France====
The sale of metal detectors is allowed in France. The first use of metal detectors in France which led to archaeological discoveries occurred in 1958: people living in the city of Graincourt-lès-Havrincourt who were seeking copper from World War I bombshell with military mine detector found a Roman silver treasure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.louvre.fr/oeuvre-notices/plat-aux-poissons-du-tresor-de-graincourt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617020446/https://www.louvre.fr/oeuvre-notices/plat-aux-poissons-du-tresor-de-graincourt |title=Plat aux poissons du Trésor de Graincourt |language=fr |archive-date=17 June 2013 |website=www.louvre.fr}}</ref> The French law on metal detecting is ambiguous because it refers only to the objective pursued by the user of a metal detector. The first law to regulate the use of metal detectors was Law No. 89–900 of 18 December 1989. This last is resumed without any change in Article L. 542–1 of the code of the heritage, which states that "no person may use the equipment for the detection of metal objects, for the purpose of research monuments and items of interest prehistory, history, art and archeology without having previously obtained an administrative authorization issued based on the applicant's qualification and the nature and method of research."{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

Outside the research of archaeological objects, using a metal detector does not require specific authorization, except that of the owner of the land. Asked about Law No. 89–900 of 18 December 1989 by a member of parliament, Jack Lang, Minister of Culture at the time, replied by letter the following: "The new law does not prohibit the use of metal detectors but only regulates the use. If the purpose of such use is the search for archaeological remains, prior authorization is required from my services. Apart from this case, the law ask to be reported to the appropriate authorities an accidental discovery of archaeological remains." The entire letter of Jack Lang was published in 1990 in a French metal detection magazine,<ref>{{cite journal|title=Le Prospecteur|issue=5|issn= 1169-3835}}</ref> and then, to be visible on the internet, scanned with permission of the author of the magazine on a French metal detection website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prospection-de-loisir.fr/trouver-or-detecteur-de-metaux/|title=Detecteur-de-metaux.com – Or natif et trésor – Conseils et guide d'achat|date=30 December 2021 }}</ref>

====Northern Ireland====
In [[Northern Ireland]], it is an offence to be in possession of a metal detector on a scheduled or a State Care site without a licence from the [[Department for Communities]]. It is also illegal to remove an archaeological object found with a detector from such a site without written consent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/guide-metal-detecting-archaeology-and-law|title=A Guide to Metal Detecting, Archaeology and the Law &#124; Department for Communities|date=November 12, 2019|website=Communities}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/advice-finders-treasure-northern-ireland|title=Advice for finders of treasure in Northern Ireland &#124; Department for Communities|date=November 8, 2019|website=Communities}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/archaeology-and-treasure|title=Archaeology and treasure &#124; nidirect|date=November 12, 2015|website=www.nidirect.gov.uk}}</ref>

====Republic of Ireland====
In the [[Republic of Ireland]], laws against metal detecting are very strict: it is illegal to use a detection device to search for archaeological objects anywhere within the State or its territorial seas without the prior written consent of the [[Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht]], and it is illegal to promote the sale or use of detection devices for the purposes of searching for archaeological objects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/The-Law-on-Metal-Detecting-in-Ireland|title=The Law on Metal Detecting in Ireland|website=National Museum of Ireland}}</ref>

====Scotland====
Under the Scots law principle of ''[[bona vacantia]]'', the Crown has claim over any object of any material value where the original owner cannot be traced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk|title=Treasure Trove Scotland}}</ref> There is also no 300 year limit to Scottish finds. Any artifact found, whether by metal detector survey or from an archaeological excavation, must be reported to the Crown through the Treasure Trove Advisory Panel at the National Museums of Scotland. The panel then determines what will happen to the artifacts. Reporting is not voluntary, and failure to report the discovery of historic artifacts is a criminal offence in Scotland.

====United States====
The sale of metal detectors is allowed in the United States. People can use metal detectors in public places (parks, beaches, etc.) and on private property with the permission of the owner of the site. In the United States, cooperation between archeologists hunting for the location of colonial-era Native American villages and hobbyists has been productive.<ref name="NYT011617"/>