I have used metal detectors/geophysical survey on a number of  
historic sites. Not sure how we would have done some of them without  
it. Participated in a survey of the site of the first ironworks in  
the US (Falling Creek 1619-22). Totally non-intrusive and we found a  
whopping great magnetic anomaly that has to be the blast furnace  
hearth (now all we have to do is move 16 feet of road fill...). Also  
have done metal detector surveys on a number of Civil War sites. The  
only other way to get the same results would have been a total  
excavation of the site, which was not possible.

In the hands of responsible individuals they are a great tool. On the  
other hand I participated in the excavation preceding the building of  
Pamplin Park (Petersburg, VA), a Civil War museum. we excavated three  
of the Confederate juts and part of the camp. One weekend some "relic  
hunters' decided our excavation looked like a dandy place to do some  
hunting of their own. Fortunately it appears they were, while rather  
destructive, pretty inexperienced. they excavated a lot of nails and  
barrel hoops, but missed the buttons and buckles. Trashed the site  
and from that point on we had a police guard.

On Apr 16, 2006, at 13:01, Gail & Muriel Carbiener wrote:

>    This story and others like it hurt to the core those of us who  
> enjoy the activity of metal detecting and wait patiently for the  
> opportunity to do so under the direction and supervision of  
> legitimate archaeologists.
>    There are those within the Forest Service, BLM, National Park  
> Service and private archaeological firms who use the detector as  
> one of the tools in their work. As "historical" sites such as  
> military camps and forts, Indian and military battlegrounds,  
> historic trails and roads, homesteads and other 1880s sites become  
> more important to archaeological study, some of us are finding a  
> place along side the archaeologist in this work. We are  
> professional, protective of the artifact and it's provenience, and  
> a good steward of the landscape.  AND, most of us work free!
>    Our challenge is to find the activities that allow us to be of  
> assistance to folks like those on this list.
>
>    I  agree 100% with the need to control the unlawful use of metal  
> detectors, and hope that pressure can be place upon private  
> landowners as well. It has been an up hill battle for all of us.
> Gail Carbiener
> Sunriver, Oregon
> ========================
>>
>> In a message dated 4/16/2006 6:14:20 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
>> [log in to unmask] writes:
>>
>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/15/ 
>> AR200604150118
>> 7.html?sub=AR
>>