Archaeologists call for surveys to stop illegal searching near the Jersey Island site where a hoard of about 70,000 coins, as well as valuable artefacts, were found in 2012.

In 2012, two metal detectorists discovered a hoard with about 70,000 coins as well as valuable Iron Age artefacts in the east of Jersey Island. However, "treasure hunters" have been carrying out illegal searches and digs near the site recently.

Now, Société Jersiaise, a county society in Jersey, aims to get permission to carry out archaeological surveys in the same area to stop the unauthorised excavations. According to the plans submitted online, the survey had been "prompted by recent instances of night hawking and archaeological looting, which have been reported to the authorities since 2021."

According to Herve Duval-Gatignol, field archaeologist for Société Jersaise, it was a serious matter due to various unauthorised tracks and new holes near the area signalling looting of hoard sites.
Duval-Gatignol says the survey would help "preserve the site and recover any artefacts that may still be there buried in this field, to avoid any further night hawking."

Non-Invasive Surveys Are Planned

society is not planning to excavate the site but rather carry out non-invasive surveys to collect evidence for more artefacts.
"In other countries, you might put cameras in, but I think the best thing is to talk to the public and tell them this practice is not acceptable," notes Duval-Gatignol.
"This is just a group of two or maybe three people, and the large majority of metal detectorists on the island are very aware that they don't go to listed sites."