Would you believe it if we told you there is a group of amateur archaeologists and ex-musicians called the ‘Punk Rock Metal Detectorists Club’ operating across the southwest of England, and that it has already found Bronze Age treasure worthy of the attention of the British Museum, as well as a BBC feature? Well, it’s true! Co-founder Kay Stevenson talks of days out in the English countryside, digging things up, the odd few pints of ale, and the re-purposing of old forgotten lost artefacts for the discerning people of this modern landscape.

…..someone else was once wearing it, or lost it,….you wonder as you gaze around about that person from years ago – what they could see, what they could hear and smell, what would they make of where you are standing now?

Detecting…isn’t it mainly mud, inclement weather and 1970s Coke ring pulls? What makes you do this?

I am inspired to do this as I am interested in history more than the Kings and Queens but the lives of the ordinary folk.

When you discover something which has been under the soil for sometimes hundreds or even thousands of years there is an actual  human link to the past via that object. Often the imprint of the coin for example remains on the earth you lift it from if it has been there for a long time until the rain washes it away or it crumbles in the sunshine. Then as you turn your attention to the item you have unearthed just for those few seconds in that exact spot, someone else was once wearing it, or lost it, and you wonder as you gaze around about that person from years ago – what they could see, what they could hear and smell, what would they make of where you are standing now?

How might you describe a typical detecting day? 

A typical metal detecting day would be up early with packed lunch made and thermos flasks topped up for the lunchtime cups of tea.  Load up the car with detectors, boots, spades, finds bags and deckchairs or full waterproofs depending on the weather and set off into the English countryside for the day.  Sometimes we will call into a local pub for a pint on the way home and a look at our finds if they are any good.

Why ‘Punk Rock’ Metal Detecting Club? We looked for a ‘Skinhead’ and a ‘Teds’ version, but no luck…maybe it is something to do with the DIY spirit of punk?

The Punk Rock Metal Detectorist Club is our facebook group which was founded by my partner  Kaos (Chaos UK and now F.O.T.K – Fear of the Known – their first album due out this year)  We have about 300 members and share information, identify and research each others finds and have encouraged people who are new to detecting to become interested in the hobby.  The link to Punk Rock is due to the fact that many of our  members hail from the days of punk rock we have a shared interest in the music and history yet indeed in the spirit of punk everyone has something to offer, it’s a shared experience for everyone.

How did it all start? Apparently there is a very nice story that would soothe anyone still pining for a lost first love?

Kaos and I knew each other when we were in our late teens back in the very early 1980s.  He was the bassist then the singer in Chaos UK and I was at school then got a job quite young as I wanted to buy a house.  In my spare time I loved driving round on my Kawasaki 550, watching loads of gigs and buying records (I still have all my records – 40 years later!)   Anyway, life being, well, life, Kaos went on in the music industry and I carried on at work, had two children, sung in a choir and cars took the place of the bike. I often wondered what Kaos was doing as we’d lost touch years before and he tells me he often wondered what became of me.  Anyway one day we were both at a VW festival and quite by chance bumped into each other again 38 years later! I was thinking, “That’s Kaos” – he was thinking, “That’s Kay”. “I know you” he said “Yes, your Kaos” I said……… We have been together now happlily for six years – and as well as enjoying metal detecting, he makes me laugh so much and he likes my cooking.  We have also adopted an ex feral cat called Clive who used to be a right handful, always coming in with cuts after fights etc but now likes his home comforts and lazing about on his blanket on the sofa.

The archaeologically rich south of England is going to contain artefacts from a huge time period. What are the most interesting things you’ve found so far?

The most interesting things I have found so far made the national news – I found two early-Bronze Age axe heads in a field in Wiltshire which were classed as treasure and are incredibly rare finds.  Initially the axe heads went to the British Museum where they were re-assessed and cleaned. It was so very exciting to find them initially and then once they had been dated by the Finds Liason officer to actually think about how important these once were to someone and their significance now.

Kurt Adams, our finds liaison officer  said at the time to the BBC that the axeheads date back to the “earliest days of metal work” in Britain and were a “fantastic find”. “You’re looking at about 4,000 year old artefacts – that were used for cutting down trees and chopping wood,” he said. “With the early Bronze Age, they’re really discovering how to use this new metal and forge this new material.”So as a result, any metal artefacts from the early Bronze Age are incredibly rare finds.”

I have donated them to the Chippenham museum where they are due to go on display in early 2024  so that everyone can them. Chippenham is the nearest museum to where they were found. The museum is delighted to have them  and I am very pleased about this as is the farmer whose land I found them on.

Here they are on the day they were found – not been out the ground for over 4000 years!

I also found a solid silver buckle ring hallmarked 1887 which was very well worn and was obviously of great sentimental value to whoever had lost it as even though it was damaged with a cut right through it and you could see the little marks of general wear and tear where it had been worn for years.

We had it mended by a silversmith and I gave it to the farmer who had kindly given us permission to detect in his field and whose family had worked that land for over a hundred years. He gave it to his wife for her birthday and she wears it every day which is lovely – I like to romantically think of it coming full circle back to where it belongs.  

And the least?

We find lots of buttons, ring pulls, knives, forks and spoons, loads of aluminium – that’s pretty standard for a day out – you need a lot of patience as you will have a lot of less exciting finds.

Finds like the Staffordshire Hoard were mind-blowing (for nerds like us, at least) and from recent finds what we know of the past across Europe is changing really quickly, what with so much being unearthed by DIY’ers. Do you follow what’s going on? 

Yes we follow and share news updates in our facebook group and are members of other larger detecting groups who also share finds and information.  Also the NCMD https://www.ncmd.co.uk/ shares a lot of information.

The best source of information is Portable Antiquities Scheme managed by the British Musuem which records all the archaeological finds discovered by the public.  Due to the increasing interest in metal detecting as a hobby.

I was just reading in Sky news today that “In 1996, there were just 24 treasure cases – instances where a found item is reported as treasure. The provisional figure for reported treasure finds in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2022 was 1,378. This provisional figure is the highest reported treasure finds since records began in 1996 and it is the ninth year in a row when reported treasure finds exceeded 1,000.”

Have you come across any rivalry, like Simon and Garfunkel in the TV show ‘Detectorists’?

Not especially but the urge to shout, “Hello There!” if you see another detectorist out is strong.  People we have met have on the whole been very  nice and enjoy sharing knowledge and showing you their finds.

Metal detectorists were once derided by the mainstream archaeological world. What would you say to reassure them you are on their side (or not!)?  Who knows, maybe Professor Alice Roberts or Janina Ramirez will be reading this.…

You only have to look at the recent news in the UK to see that reported treasure finds are increasing year on year. Speaking as someone who last month donated their best find to a museum – two items of actual treasure – nobody can deride that and I hope they will be in the museum for years to come for everyone to see.  I am hoping that the museum will put a display ticket alongside to say found by a metal detectorist which we are starting to see more and more of these days – you never know they might even put my name on the ticket too – I shall ask!  [ EDIT 10th Jan 2024 – they now have, as seen in this pic! ].

The majority of detectorists we have met are on-side in this respect. Also it costs a lot of money for a large scale archeological dig so the added finds detectorists are recording is adding to the wealth of finds and build up of knowledge  as each item’s finds spot is recorded.  

What would you say to anyone thinking of taking up detecting?

It’s a great hobby – we really enjoy it – being out in the open air, seeing all the wildlife, peace and quiet. Very good for your physical and mental health as you walk miles in a day but don’t seem to notice the distance as you are enjoying yourself so much.  That said you cannot go detecting without the express permission of the landowner so unless you know someone who would be happy to let you detect on their land you would be better off joining an organised pay per person club dig of which there are more and more these days.

To end then, what are your plans for the Punk Rock Metal Detectorist Club?

At some point we would like to arrange a charity fund raising dig but currently we are happy to welcome new members to share their finds and knowledge. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-67785142