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Laws

For detectorists in Norway there is especially " Law about objects of cultural-historical values" thats control what we can and cannot do....

silvercoin

Silvercoin found by Morten Eek in Hundvaag,Rogaland

 

Automatical protectet sites

The law says in §4 that all objects,and remainings older than 1537 is automatical protected by law.So,if you find objects that are older than 1537,then the find is under duty of submission after Norwegian laws.The duty of submission regarding coins apply for all coins older than 1650."Sami" remains of cultural value older than 100 years are also protected by law, and histroical remains from Svalbard pre 1946 are also under an automatical protection by law.Remains of ship wrecks older than 100years old and loose items that can be found in near proximity are State property,when there is no way finding out who the owner is.

Security zone

Around one or several sites protected by law, there is an automatic security zone as described in the law kml § 6.this is for the protection of the site. If such a security zone is not especially defined, does a 5 meter radius protection zone apply from the outer edge of the site.

The use of metaldetectors - Article from Økokrim

Law regarding protected sites- Lovdata

riksantikvaren

Finders-fee

The law says that findings of a certain age is protected and state property,and that you shall report your find to government officials. The finder and/or the landowner is entitled to a finders-fee.Belowe is a link to a newsletter from the"Riksantikvaren",that describes how the finder should proceed after finding an object protected by law, whom to contact, and what could be expected of finders-fee.

Riksantikvaren- Newsletter finders-fee

Garmin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethical Guidelines for

 

Before you go detecting :

  • Get permission from the landowner and be aware of which land the permission apply to.
  • Check with your local county cultural-department and get familiar if there are protected sites in the area you are planning to search in.As an alternative you could check economical maps for that area: Statens Kartverk-economical map, but be aware that often these maps are inadequate,so that you do not unknowable search on protected/preserved grounds.
  • Bring along suitable findboxes or findbags according to the advises given by your local museum on how to keep findings for handing over to the museum.Contact your nearest museum for advice.
metaldetector

While detecting :

  • Search only on grounds which already have been disturbed.(as an example: ploughed land), and do not digg deeper than what a plough normally goes.(approx.30 cm). If detecting is happening an undisturbed ground,be cautious that you do not make damage to the archaeological value on the ground.
  • Minimalize all disturbence you do when digging, and make sure that you do not digg into the valuable,undisturbed cultural layer.
  • If finds of historical/archaeological value and interest are being discovered, mark the spot as accurate as the situation allows you.the use of GPS is recommended if possible.If you come across finds of archaeological interest then stop detecting and your digging until you have talked with your museum rep.(in practical terms both the object and the findspot is automatic protected by law, and will get a 5 meter security zone around itself until the find spot has been closer examined by a archaeologist)
  • Bring along all metalfinds you digg up and throw litter in the closest wastebin.You are helping the local community keeping clean, and besides that you are keeping you and other detectorists away from digging uo the same litter once more another time.
  • Fill all your holes you digg
  • Respect the rules of farmlife. Don`t let gates stand open after you pass, do not destroy crops or freighten animals unless its a bull!
  • Tell about metaldetecting to landowners and other interested that you meet.You might get valuable local historical information in return,at the same time spreading better knowledge about the benefits of detecting further on.
  • You are an ambassador for all detectorists when out detecting.Be helpful when someone needs your assistance.
no to nighthawking

 

After you have finished detecting :

  • Repport and show all your finds to the landowner.Return back items that could have economical or affective value,and can be traced to the landowner as legitimate owner of the items. Normal practice is to split 50/50 if there are finds of significant economical value.
  • If you have found objects that could be of archaeological interest, the landowner should be informed of it. Explain to the landowner about the law,and that the item will be handed in to the closest museum or county archaeologist accordingly with the duty of subnmission.Give the landowners your museum contact`s name so it is possible for the landowner to contact the museum later on. It might be that the landowner is as much keen as you are in getting a feedback about the finding.One idea is to take a photo of find, and one of the answering letter from the museum and give to the landowner later on.
  • Call police if you find traces after human remains or come over explosives. If so, stop all digging,you want get credit for it from the police nor a diploma from the museum.