Pre-Revolution (denied)

[Magicman]

Columbia, SC - Today I found ran across some information about a house. It appears a home dating back prior to the Revolutionary War was about to be destroyed. However, it wasn't known the house existed because a more modern home was built around the old house. The property was recently sold to a major developer to build one of those super xxx-xxxx stores and th property is part of the entrance to the store. The house has to be moved before 1 July so I thought it would be a good idea to check it out. When I arrived the construction office was across from the house I went in to ask permission to use my metal detector. The guy said "NO" we have had five other request, I said really to metal detect. He said "NO", to cut down trees and what have you. I asked again if I could metal detect and he said our insurance won't allow it. I mention that I have a waiver form, he said "NO". You must have a safety course and a hard hat, I asked him how long the course was and he gave em my card back and told me to have a nice day. Hopefully I have better luck with the corporate office, in TN.

 

[John 'n' W.Va]

I thought there was a law where the land had to be checked out before they can doze it, to see if it had historical value. Tell him you will give them a big headache if he doesn't let you MD it. Like going to the historical society.

 

[on-edge]

well that sucks,its so hard sometimes to get outsiders to understand our point of view.i'd work up another game plan and try again,alot of the times in situations like this that i've experienced, developers or what not really don't care and are thankful for you asking,and usually are a little curious to see what you may find,i hate seeing another site covered by hot top!

go back and explain your point of view a little better,let him know how important it is to you,and that this is the last chance for anyone to find and save anything from this site that is soon to be covered by hot top,tell him some of the history on the property,and that you will be of no nuisance to him and show him some of the goods,bring along some of your best finds to display,hell i'd even let a tear roll down my cheek,na but really it sounds like it may be worth a second try to me,what have you got to loose?

 

[jmaryt]

unfortunately this is what we will be confronted with as time goes on!..you are dealing with a liability issue,and we live in "paranoid",unstable times!.it is difficult to determine,however my GUESS is your "waiver" won't hold up in court when the company produces it's insurance binder!..(policy!)..i really "hate" this "attitude".but it is becoming more prevalent in our society!..

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[Canewrap]

I'm afraid that law you're talking about only applies if there is state or federal money involved in the project. If its privately funded he can laugh at you and tell you to go away.

 

[Magicman]

The land was checked out buy the state, however they have checked out other areas and a detectorist found over 300 hundred civil items after the state said, "nothing of importance here".

Well I made a list of homes from 1700 to 1900 in the area and there are several. I will be checking to see if they are on the historical list and sending letters if they are not on the historical list.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

hi magicman, it's unfortunate they won't allow you to detect the old site. a site is usually fair game if there aren't any no trespassing signs around. if i see a site being bulldozed, and see no signs, i grab my machine and go. here in central va., the developers rarely put up signs. i've noticed that many developers don't like to deal with us. the reasons are many - first off, the liability issue. we almost always detect at the very beginning of the job. if one of us managed to get hurt - the chances are very remote - it would cast a shadow on the rest of the job. it's enough to cause the jitters. and the developer could be sued. there goes the profit margin! next, we have entirely too many spademunkeys in this hobby who don't cover their holes. it's an unpleasant experience to twist your ankle in one like i have. and the developers are there for one reason only - to make money. most don't care about history. understanding how these people think is the key to getting around them. as long as there are no dreaded red signs, i'd hit it. wait until they leave for the day, or wait for the weekend, and hit it. you can believe me sir, for every one of us who respect the rules of the hobby, there are ten others who don't, and will detect the site irregardless of a sign nailed to a tree. sad, but true. like the fox in aesop's fables trying and trying to reach the grapes, and finally gave up, saying to himself,"those grapes are probably sour anyway!" good luck, and hh,

 

[Magicman]

Well the site just happens to be right accross from the construction office and HUGE signs saying no trespassing.

There was a very nice oak by the house and has been there many years by judging the canopy the tree had, branches extended out.

 

[khouse]

I think sometimes a developer doesn't want anything found that might label the site "historical". This might just shut down the operation while the archies come in and do their thing.

 

[Magicman]

khouse - I think you may have a point, because that would cause a big problem, it is an entrance. When the guy brought up an objection I would handle it and then he would come up with another until he saw I would over come each one and then it was have a nice day.

 

[khouse]

I think that's what happened to an area around me. A big developer owned and farmed a large field where a civil war battle was. Since it was a bean field I asked him for permission. He told me "no" and I went on my way. Then about 2 years later the dozers moved in and started a sub division. I have since hunted some of the dirt piles but most everything is lost. I suspect that he thought I might find something to ruin his future plans. It's just a shame............

 

[jmaryt]

what is worse is that many in the hobby will hunt anywhere,posted or not!.they figure that even if they are caught,they will be told to be on their way,and don't come back!..they think soo what?..they pitch me,but i found some nice stuff!..who cares!.the problem with this thinking is obvious!..they give all of us a bad name,and hurt everyone in the hobby!

(h.h!)
j.t.

 

[GRAY GHOST]

n/t

 

[Magicman]

After watching some of the videos from England, I was thinking why don't we do the same thing. What I am talking about is detectorist are detecting and when they have a find, they document it for the government and if it is deemed treasure they will value it and the museum can purchase it. Otherwise you keep the item, unless it is considered treasure. This way artifacts are not lost for ever and museums have the best of the best if they purchase it. Then the archaeologist and stop going around and saying you can't dig up anything, and more items would be available in record book, history books and pictures instead of in the ground where no on will ever see, unless one lucky day we get to dig it up.

 

[jmaryt]

this fact also proves that "research" is becoming increasingly critical in finding new sites to hunt!..to arbitrarily go into an area that is off limits to detectorists is tantamount to commiting "hobby" suicide!...in a very real sense,we are all "screwed!"

(h.h!)
j.t.