ManInTheWall
Active member
FOUND THIS STORY ONLINE.....
Recently, I was taken to task on Facebook for expressing that I sometimes hunt graveyards, and think itās fine to do so. I wrote as much in my book, and have expected to be given some grief about it, but so far the only place Iāve found that attitude is online. Many commenters were aghast, expressing their outrage at the immorality or at least unethical-ness of the practice. Sorry, but I couldnāt disagree more, unless youāre hunting right on top of or close to the grave plots themselves, or your locale has laws against it.
I was frankly taken aback that people who are as into history as most detectorists are donāt seem to realize that spending leisure time in a cemetery is as old as people themselves. In the Old Country, having picnics, weddings and other ceremonies in graveyards is not only okay, itās encouraged in many cultures as a way to commune with loved ones who have passed. In others, such as several South American countries, actual revelry takes place there, as a sign of respect for and inclusion of the dead in the lives of those they loved who still go on. I find it difficult to believe that some serious (though perhaps inadvertent) actual grave-stomping doesnāt go on during these events, but no one seems to mind. And detectorists arenāt doing any such thing, unless they grave-robbing to begin with, and thatās just plain criminal from the word āgo.ā
The fact is, back in the day when not everyone had the means to own their own land, places to get a change of scenery without having to drive a wagon miles from home were few and far between. But nearly everyone could manage get to the town graveyard, even if they had to walk. So, many families made a day of it, going to visit and pay respect to deceased loved ones, followed by a picnic on the grass alongside, which was one of the few public greens that was regularly mowed. While the grownups talked, ate and laughed, items fell from their pockets. Children played with each other there, and dropped things. And Iām sure the same shedding of items goes on today.
In Victorian times, this practice actually became something of a fad, and in homage to that, many steampunk cosplay groups today routinely hold such events in cemeteries (though they do tend to choose the more historic-looking ones, for obvious reasons).
So, as detectorists and amateur historians, consider that outside of the gravesites proper, cemeteries have a long history as legitimate, even somewhat fond, public gathering places. If youāre spooked by these spots, then by all means, stay away. But unless itās illegal in oneās area, donāt vilify those of us who hunt ethically around the edges. Thereās nothing any more morally wrong with that than there is with hunting curbside grass strips or public parks. Itās not disrespectful unless you trample all over the graves themselves, or otherwise deface them.
In fact, when I do occasionally hunt these spots (yes, I freely admit it! I always get permission ā in fact I just got a new one today ā and I stay at LEAST five feet away from anywhere that might possibly be a gravesite), I often stroll through first, to read the stones and pay my own respects to the residents. I also sometimes talk to the inhabitantsā¦yes, out loud. Theyāre not creepy, theyāre peaceful; and especially lately, I prefer their respectful silence to the uncivil screeching the living seem to be constantly hurling at each other.
You can also learn a great deal about an areaās history by reading gravestones, and sometimes the inscriptions are quite touching. So please: If you choose not to hunt graveyards, thatās entirely your prerogative. But get a grip and donāt go off half-cocked about how awful people are who choose to see these places for what they are: sacred spaces, yes, but also repositories of some of societyās purest, most unvarnished history, full of those who no longer lie, cheat, steal or cause pain.
And if you really think about it, most of us are gonna end up there someday. I know if I were lying there, Iād infinitely prefer a visit now and then from someone swinging a harmless stick near enough to chat a little and acknowledge my presence, rather than to be isolated forevermore from any contact with the living.
Recently, I was taken to task on Facebook for expressing that I sometimes hunt graveyards, and think itās fine to do so. I wrote as much in my book, and have expected to be given some grief about it, but so far the only place Iāve found that attitude is online. Many commenters were aghast, expressing their outrage at the immorality or at least unethical-ness of the practice. Sorry, but I couldnāt disagree more, unless youāre hunting right on top of or close to the grave plots themselves, or your locale has laws against it.
The fact is, back in the day when not everyone had the means to own their own land, places to get a change of scenery without having to drive a wagon miles from home were few and far between. But nearly everyone could manage get to the town graveyard, even if they had to walk. So, many families made a day of it, going to visit and pay respect to deceased loved ones, followed by a picnic on the grass alongside, which was one of the few public greens that was regularly mowed. While the grownups talked, ate and laughed, items fell from their pockets. Children played with each other there, and dropped things. And Iām sure the same shedding of items goes on today.
So, as detectorists and amateur historians, consider that outside of the gravesites proper, cemeteries have a long history as legitimate, even somewhat fond, public gathering places. If youāre spooked by these spots, then by all means, stay away. But unless itās illegal in oneās area, donāt vilify those of us who hunt ethically around the edges. Thereās nothing any more morally wrong with that than there is with hunting curbside grass strips or public parks. Itās not disrespectful unless you trample all over the graves themselves, or otherwise deface them.
In fact, when I do occasionally hunt these spots (yes, I freely admit it! I always get permission ā in fact I just got a new one today ā and I stay at LEAST five feet away from anywhere that might possibly be a gravesite), I often stroll through first, to read the stones and pay my own respects to the residents. I also sometimes talk to the inhabitantsā¦yes, out loud. Theyāre not creepy, theyāre peaceful; and especially lately, I prefer their respectful silence to the uncivil screeching the living seem to be constantly hurling at each other.
You can also learn a great deal about an areaās history by reading gravestones, and sometimes the inscriptions are quite touching. So please: If you choose not to hunt graveyards, thatās entirely your prerogative. But get a grip and donāt go off half-cocked about how awful people are who choose to see these places for what they are: sacred spaces, yes, but also repositories of some of societyās purest, most unvarnished history, full of those who no longer lie, cheat, steal or cause pain.
And if you really think about it, most of us are gonna end up there someday. I know if I were lying there, Iād infinitely prefer a visit now and then from someone swinging a harmless stick near enough to chat a little and acknowledge my presence, rather than to be isolated forevermore from any contact with the living.
WOW! Love that photo! Reminds this ole lady of my past! God Bless! Ma Betty