by Tess Machling
[A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] This is a first for The Big Book of Torcs. Today, I open up BBoT to a guest blog, written by a friend and archaeological colleague. For various reasons, the writer of this blog prefers to remain anonymous, but I can vouch …
Continue reading "“Who Pays for the Hobby?”: Metal Detecting in England and Wales"
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] Introduction Following on from my blog last week, I have been trying to find out exactly how much is being paid out each year to individuals and landowners in 'rewards' for their 'Treasure' finds. This information is not straightforward …
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] Abstract The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) - the detectorist-facing branch of archaeology - which provides the framework for the application of the 1996 Treasure Act is stretched beyond capacity: the Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs) who run the scheme day-to-day …
Continue reading "The system is broken, so why are we not more concerned?"
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] On 3rd July 2025 an important exhibition opened at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewellery Arts in Paris. The poster from the exhibition. Working with Van Cleef & Arpels, the Centre Archéologique de Montans, the Musée d’Archéologie Nationale at Saint-Germain-en-Laye and …
Continue reading "The Montans torc: working with goldsmiths."
('Iron Age Dialogues' conference, Cardiff, 30th April to 2nd May 2025.) by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] This paper can be cited as: DOI 10.5281/zenodo.15389794 Introduction Although there is an intention to publish the proceedings of the Cardiff conference, for me, publication in print will …
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] This paper can be cited as: DOI 10.5281/zenodo.15264348 Following on from my earlier blogs on detecting and torcs and access and ownership of finds, I wanted to look in greater detail at these topics and discuss the impact that …
Continue reading "Private finds and image rights… and wrongs."
By Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] Featured image: Gallo-Roman Museum, Tongeren As any of you who follow me on social media will know, over the years I have become increasingly concerned about who owns, or who believes they own, our heritage (and by ‘our’ I …
Continue reading "‘My precious!’ Some thoughts on access and ownership of artefacts."
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] This paper can be cited as DOI 10.5281/zenodo.15181315 (For details of all the finds referred to, please see the recently published Snettisham Hoards volumes, which can be downloaded for free from HERE.) Abstract Hoard F, from the Snettisham 'gold …
Continue reading "Fused, melted and dripped on: Snettisham Hoard F."
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper]. This paper can be cited as DOI 10.5281/zenodo.15181375 A friend (thank you David!) today reminded me of something I've been intending to write about for quite a long time, but never quite got round to. As it's Christmas and …
by Tess Machling [A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] Introduction The recently published Snettisham hoard volumes are long awaited, and contain much that is of use and interest to anyone studying Iron Age Britain. However, as a gold researcher, working with a team of goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewellers and …
Continue reading "The Snettisham torcs and the British Museum"
The Big Book of Torcs 