graveyard hunting: yes or no?

[fenian13]

Just want to kick this around for the benefit of examining others viewpoints. To me it's a personal choice, like abortion. I don't do it, but only because I don't want to piss off others who think it to be hallowed ground. I'm sure there are some goodies left by picnicking families tending graves. Those giant old shade trees in there look inviting. Is it hallowed ground or just some land full of "peanut shells" with the "peanut" long gone and unconcerned?

 

[Monkeywrangler22]

I wouldn't do it personally, without the express written consent of the landowner/caretaker/etc. I mean, 'round here, there is a place where there is a shooting range NEAR a cemetery, and some L.O.L. gets crabby about the 'noise disturbing the tranquility of the area'...like the dead are gonna care...

 

[Craig]

NO ![sup][/sup] To me it's sacred ground !!!!!! Other people will look at it as Grave Robbing :veryangry:

 

[fenian13]

Yes, I know most people don't dig up skulls for gold teeth, but folks might leave a wedding band or some other sentimental object. Tempting, but is it ethical? Not judging here, just taking a poll. What if you were honestly just hunting coins but found a wedding band? Then what would you do? Lie to yourself or put it back?

 

[fenian13]

Just for the record of those who might be curious. I have hunted OUTSIDE the fence around graveyards but feel it might be "bad karma" to hunt inside, regardless of ones honest intentions or permission of caretaker. Plenty of old houses around and all you gotta do is ask. I hunt arrowheads also but NEVER dig for them. I don't care what the living might think, I'm more concerned with not disrespecting the spirits!

 

[digitaltim]

I saw this topic before.... One guy mentioned that people will insert things in to the ground over the graves... Makes sense

I think this makes taking anything over the burial sites unethical.

I don't see a problem with searching the areas outside the actual burial grounds though..... like Parking lots, maybe the trails between... Personally, I wouldn't

 

[Neil]

its a shame this even has to be discussed. should be an automatic no with all of us.

if you have no other place to play in the dirt, get another hobby.

thats my opinion.

 

[fenian13]

I tried hunting around an old hitching post outside a graveyard once but it gave me an uneasy feeling. I stay away from Native American burial sites like it's the plague.

 

[fenian13]

Just posted the question because as a group we should be against it. Thought others might read and consider. I'm not sure if hunting around them looks any better than hunting inside to most people, but for myself just once outside the fence was enough, and I didn't find anything either.

 

[amcjavelin]

well up here in maine theres alot of old cemetarys that date back to revolutionary war and sometimes the boundarys are not exact so the closest i've ever got near is 8 to 10 ' outside the cemetary itself having alot of meeting houses with old cemetarys just behind the buildings, but i don't beleive in hunting inside what so ever to me its a lack of respect for the dead, just my 2 cents worth and what ever is insde the cemetary should remain there!

 

[fowlercharles]

Go to the Metal Detecting Forum and read my post on the Cemetery subject for June 15 for the best reason you will ever read for not going near a cemetrery to detect.

 

[jmaryt]

this is "bad karma!"..you are walking in the "demon's" footsteps!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[fenian13]

If simply discussing and commenting on an ethical decision is "bad karma" and walking in the "demons" footsteps, then perhaps you should not partake of the debate. I merely raised the question as something of value to consider as a group. A sample of random opinions for all to consider was my only intention. Not openly discussing any issue only causes more ignorance and brings no one to a decision.

 

[sandtrout]

met a girl who claimed she was a "death hag" and visited graves of the famous stars. always been fascinated with headstones myself, especially those with photographs implanted on them. i photographed some headstones in a ghost town but my mother-in-law remembered who they were from the names that were on them. some years later the names were worn away. either way, i wouldn't dig in one....gives me the creeps, seems disrespectful.

 

[jmaryt]

you are correct!..i over reacted,as it can be quite emotional!...
there are tons of other places to hunt!..no one should hunt in a cematary!
it's not ethical,and damn it!..,it's just not right!

 

[Scully]

Would you want someone digging around your mothers grave? How about your wife, or your child, or your brothers grave?

 

[Mat in MA]

Absolutely NO. I wouldn't even think of it.

Now let's look at the other side of the coin. Those people that call themselves 'archaeologists'. You know the ones I'm talking about. They go around digging in the pyramids of Egypt and other places removing bodies and other possessions that were buried with them. I don't care what kind of college paper you have that is just not right. Don't tell me your doing it for 'history' and to 'educate people'. Your just as guilty a grave robber as those who came before you under the darkness of night. You are still disturbing the grave of someones family. Let it be and get another job.

I had to get my 2 cents in on that one.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

i personally believe it's morally wrong to knowingly detect over and/or plunder a grave site, so i don't do it, avoiding them altogether. gravesites are sacred places to most folks, whether ancient, old or new. definetly off limits!

 

[Shenandoah Digger]

I've come upon small fenced grave yards while relic hunting in the woods. I like to go look at the graves, but leave my detector outside the fence, like checking in your six gun with the Marshall Dillion. When I was a kid I knew of three guys who were robbing graves from the 1700's on what is now Quantico Marine Corp. base. Within five years one had shot himself, another had hung himself, and the third fell into an abandoned well. Don't know if any of this is connected-don't wanna find out.

 

[jmaryt]

i agree!..very "bad karma!"..(w.t.f!)

(h.h!)
j.t.