Finished the volleyball field

[Hape]

As I had a few days off I was able to visit the local park and its beach volleyball field, again.
I decided to speed up the hunting and instead of using the XTerra70 in all metal mode I switched it to pattern 1, ignoring all the nails and screws in the sand.
I thought that I am maybe lucky enough to find my first ring or a other piece of jewelery, but I had to learn, that nobody lost any on this part of the playground.
However, now as I am counting all the clad I found and the other things worth to keep I have to say, that I am very satisfied with the result of my first hunted place.

[attachment 84510 220308.jpg]
I found 18 Euro coins and and 39 older German D-Mark coins. That makes a total of 57 coins - not too bad for that little spot. Not to forget a few buttons and a toy bulldozer.

I am afraid that this beach volleyball field is clad free till end of this summer and I have to look for the next place to go on practising before I start with my relic hunts.

By the way, I did the next step on the way to my official metal detecting permit: I had to introduce myself to the chief archaeologist of North Rhine Westphalia. A nice guy who hopefully writes a positive report about my person...

 

[Bavaria Mike]

you can still cash in those Dmarks, not the rusty ones, LOL. I was wondering how the interview went in the NRW, good luck! I also had to do an interview in Trier with the head Archie, we talked for well over an hour. I did not find anything near Trier, Birkenfeld worth mentioning and will be moving back home to Bavaria 1 April. Let me know about your permit in NRW. Did you call about Schweinfurt? HH, Mike

 

[Hape]

Hi Mike, I've talked to my archaeologist for an hour, too. He is a nice guy and "normal" thinking. We talked about what's forbidden and what's is allowed; what's the reason why I like to do metal detecting and so on. It was nice to get some information from a pro and I have a good feeling about this interview. So I am looking forward to get the next letter from the local authority, or the permit itself, soon. I also wrote a request to the local Bavarian archaeological authority in W

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Hi Peter, I also talked to the head Archie in Wuerzburg, I believe his name is Dr. Fischer, he told me it is illegal to detect in Bavaria and permits were not issued. I told him detecting is legal in Bavaria and I have a permit for the area where I live. He does not like detectors and I do not think you will get any cooperation from him or even hear anything back from your letter. That's when I went to the Schweinfurt LDK Landkreis (county), they said they will not give a permit as that would mean I can detect near or on historical sites but I can detect farm fields with permission from the owners. Have you read Art. VII? It should be on the bodenfundforum somewhere, not sure where, you will have to look for it. Let me know what you hear, that should be interesting. HH and Happy Easter, Mike
http://www.bodenfundforum.net/index.php?act=uportal

 

[Hape]

Yes, I know that article and I got a look in the Bavarian law for monuments, too. That article is more about if you like to dig on the ground of known monuments - like stone age graveyards, medieval castles and so on. You can't do that without a permit (to be honest it's more about if you like to build a house an such ground etc.). You will not get such a permit without a real good reason - I would say it's nearly impossible. But I believe that's totally different to what we like to do. I would read the Bavarian law in a way, that you can detect and dig for relics in general, but only on ground that isn't known as a historic monument. If you find anything that could be an important relic: you have to let the head archie know. That's it. If the head archie decided that your relic is important enough to go to a museum etc.: they have to pay you the market price - what ever that is. One thing that makes this laws even more confusing is that they are local laws. So the law in Bavaria is different to NRW and both are different to the law of the other parts of Germany...

About my letter: I will wait another two weeks for an answers. After that I will write them again. They maybe try to ignore my first letter, but I don't think they will ignore a second one. But you are right, their answer will be interesting, for sure. Have a nice day, Peter.

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

Nice hunt Hape. Sounds like a great spot to hunt, with easy recoveries.
Good luck with your permit as it will open up other more interesting opportunities.
Mick Evans.

 

[Hape]

The easy digging is one of the main reasons I have chosen this as my first place to practising detecting.
A lot of targets for pinpointing and easy recovery due to the sand. I simply digged them all and I have hopefully learned a bit about metal detecting - but still a long way to go. You can count on, that I can't wait to start to hunt for some medieval coins etc.. But its better to wait for the permit, as to answer some nasty questions to the local police men.

I am lucky enough to live in North Rhine Westphalia and to work in Bavaria, the two parts of Germany you own (together with the land owner) the relics you may find. In other parts of Germany all relics belong to the state. Peter

 

[scubarichard]

How much for the bulldozer?

 

[Hape]

You are kidding, aren't you?

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Hi Peter, you can also appeal an area if they deny you the right to detect. I appealed an area, where the original town was located from 1008-1250 AD because it is farm fields now. They, the Landkreis (county) got very worried as they thought I may take them to court. I talked to the local Heimatpfleger (City Hall) and dropped the appeal. I have received a few special favors to detect since then and have full cooperation from the town, we have a good relationship. I also agree with what the Article VII law actually says, only close to a historical site do we need a permit in Bavaria. HH, Mike

 

[Hape]

Hi Mike, I double checked my files and found that it is 3 weeks since I dropped them my first letter. So I decided yesterday to send them the second one. Hopefully this will speed up an answer. We will see. If I do not get any answer in approx. the next 3 weeks I will give them a call to see whats going on. I will keep you updated. Have a nice day, Peter

 

[Bavaria Mike]

I referenced my note I made when I called the Wurzburg Archeology department (amt) 31 January 2006. I talked to a Dr. Hope, he told me detecting is illegal in Bavaria, he is a liar (luegner). He is the head Archie in charge of the areas Denkmalshuetzamt (Historical preservation dept.) I do not think you will get any cooperation from him. I look forward to what your letter brings, it will not be answered. Your English is very good by the way! Good luck and HH, Mike

 

[Hape]

Hi Mike,

Normally I would expect an answer from them in some way. If not, I will give them a call and/or contact the head archeological department in Munich. But all of this will take some time, for sure. Thanks for your comment about my English.

 

[scubarichard]

Yes and no. LOL It's a pretty cool looking bulldozer; I am jealous. I haven't seen one like that is as many years as I can remember. If you were my detecting buddy, I'd certainly be trying to talk it out of you.

[quote Hape]You are kidding, aren't you? [/quote]

 

[Hape]

I would think about it, if it would be a toy from a brand like Matchbox, or so. But in this case it's one a cheap one made somewhere in China.
Anyway, I do not think it's worth thinking about sending that bulldozer from Germany to the US.
For that shipping charge you can buy two new ones in a shop.
But you are right, if you would be my detecting buddy and a collector of such toys I would give it to you.
Have a nice day, Peter.