Metal-detected past: a study of long-term developments in settlement patterns, technology and visual culture on the example of metal-detector finds from Estonia

Project Information

MetDect

Grant agreement ID: 101003387

DOI

10.3030/101003387

Project closed

EC signature date 9 April 2020

Start date 1 September 2020

End date 21 September 2023

Funded under

• SPREADING EXCELLENCE AND WIDENING PARTICIPATION

Total cost

€ 142 193,28

EU contribution

€ 142 193,28

Coordinated by

TALLINN UNIVERSITY
Estonia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MetDect (Metal-detected past: a study of long-term developments in settlement patterns, technology and visual culture on the example of metal-detector finds from Estonia)

Reporting period: 2020-09-01 to 2022-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project ‘Metal-detected past: a study of long-term developments in settlement patterns, technology and visual culture on the example of metal-detector finds from Estonia’ (MetDect) examines how the vast amount of metal-detected artefacts contribute to our current knowledge of the past. During the project, additional questions arose about how metal detecting as a hobby is regulated in Estonia, including how public finds are reported and recorded, and how this data is managed and used. Metal detecting is a popular hobby in Estonia, but detailed information about the artefacts found was not available for research, heritage management or public use until the MetDect project. This project demonstrates that large numbers of metal-detector finds are essential for better heritage management and for understanding how changes in the archaeological record translate into changes in society.

Cultural heritage, including archaeological heritage, is an integral part of society. The wider background of this project concerns heritage – its good use, importance and meaning. Thus, metal-detected artefacts are not only evidence of past life activities, but also have deeper connections to different forms of identity and cultural meanings. How hobby metal detecting is regulated, how finds are recorded, processed and used by heritage professionals has a direct impact on the preservation of archaeological heritage for future generations. Thus, MetDect project builds a bridge between heritage professionals and hobbyists by bringing discovered artefacts into scientific use and demonstrating the importance of such finds for both stakeholder groups.

The objectives of this Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) have been to a) create a dataset of metal-detected artefacts from Estonia; b) investigate related issues with a focus on settlement patterns, technology and visual culture; c) contribute to the wider debate on the usage of metal detectors by general public in Europe. In parallel, the aim of the MSCA Widening Fellowship is to support and cultivate the development of the Fellow towards scientific independence and excellence.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The research was divided into six work packages (WPs). WP1 focused on creating a dataset of metal-detected artefacts from Estonia. This involved systematising existing reports on public finds (completed by archaeologists), manually entering data from non-machine-readable formats into spreadsheets, harmonising terminology, and specifying or correcting initial determinations. The MetDect dataset contains almost 42,000 records and is uploaded in a repository. The aim of WP2 was to carry out spatial analysis by using Geographical Information System (GIS) applications. The Fellow received practical training with different GIS applications and learned new analytical and practical skills. WP3 and WP4 are related to the question of local production of non-ferrous artefacts in Estonia. WP3 focuses on the identification of production series basis on typology and distribution, and WP4 investigates the chemical composition of locally produced artefacts. A case study was carried out on a selection of locally made silver brooches, pendants and mounts made of pewter, and pendants made of copper alloys. The results showed differences in alloy composition, demonstrating that local artisans had a good understanding of the properties of metals and made conscious choices about alloy composition when casting non-ferrous items. The results were presented in an international conference (in 2022). The Fellow has co-organised three sessions on metalworking at international conferences (in 2022 and 2023). As part of WP5, the Fellow researched the visual culture based on detector finds. She was the main organiser of a session on visual culture at an international conference and gave an introductory presentation (in 2021). WP6 focuses on dissemination, and the Fellow has also worked on broader issues of metal detecting as a hobby in Estonia as part of this WP (four thematic papers published, two are forthcoming; six presentations given).

The Fellow has supervised one bachelor student (thesis defended in spring 2023) and started to co-supervise a PhD student (from September 2023). She was also involved in teaching at Tallinn University as a co-lecturer in a MA-level course ‘Digital and Applied History’ and responsible lecturer for the BA level course ‘Man and Material Culture’. The results of the MSCA Widening Fellowship are reported in five published papers. Four of them introduce new public finds from Estonia and discuss the challenges Estonia faces with the growing number of hobby searchers. Fifth paper discusses medieval book fittings and book culture. In addition, one forthcoming paper examines reporting and recording practices of public finds, and the second discusses how local hobbyists and heritage professionals perceive the state of art of metal detecting in Estonia. Two papers are also in preparation. The first analyses the impact of metal-detected artefacts on the understanding of Late Iron Age society. The second focuses on the cross symbolism and its meaning in the visual culture of different periods. The Fellow has given 11 oral presentations in conferences and seminars and also attended as a panelist in a round table. She has co-organised 4 thematic sessions at international conferences.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

This MSCA project has been influential in many ways. The MetDect project has developed into a new multidisciplinary field of research in Estonia, which examines hobby searching from different angles. These include archaeology-specific approaches (such as distribution patterns of finds), the impact of the hobby on the archaeological heritage (from a heritage management perspective to heritage valorisation), but also questions about the information value of detector finds, and new digital solutions for recording such artefacts. The Fellow has been awarded two complementary projects that are inspired by the MetDect project, which will help to maximise the results.

This MSCA Widening Fellowship has allowed the Fellow to develop agility with diverse research methods and has expanded her international network. She is representing Estonia in the European Public Finds Recording Network and is part of the expert group on public finds that advises the National Heritage Board of Estonia.

Finally, the MetDect project has changed the way metal-detected finds are processed in Estonia. Find reports written by experts are shorter, more concise and include machine-readable appendices. The MetDect dataset is used by the National Heritage Board as a valuable resource for heritage management.

Collage of MetDect project activities: database, presentations, colouring book, social media etc