This section examines the recovery of metal-detected data in England and Wales. It uses the entire Portable Antiquities Scheme dataset to examine the influence of constraints on data collection and how these might relate to ancient settlement patterns. The dataset is plotted against base maps showing physical topography and a specially designed 'constraints' map, showing landscape attributes most likely to affect the recovery of finds by metal-detector. Analysis is based on regional survey of the data, which can be linked directly to further regional study in Section 3. Control datasets for individual periods highlight changing ancient settlement patterns or the use of and/or access to metalwork and coins. In addition, a range of quantitative analyses are undertaken on the data relating to the make-up of the overall dataset.
This section provides a framework for the interpretation of metal-detected data and the nature of these data in relation to different periods. This highlights not only the challenges faced but also the potential role of such data for profoundly changing how we approach regional archaeological interpretations.
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Last updated: Tues Apr 21 2009