JERSEY Heritage has welcomed plans to introduce clear legal obligations and processes for handling archaeological discoveries – with the organisation stating that “significant finds” continue to be uncovered in the Island.
The comments follow the proposal of new legislation by Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, seeking to provide a statutory framework for reporting, recording, investigating and preserving objects and sites of archaeological significance.
If approved, this would include a requirement for any person who discovers an archaeological object, whether by chance or through activities such as metal detecting, to report the find to Jersey Heritage within 14 days of discovery.
And a reward system is proposed, under which rewards – determined based on expert advice and linked to market value – would be shared between the finder and the landowner.
The legislation also seeks to ensure that objects of “national significance” remain accessible for public benefit.
In the report accompanying his proposal, Deputy Morel cited the Le Câtillon II coin hoard as an example of a recent high-profile discovery, highlighting a need to manage significant finds “transparently and consistently”.
He argued that the current approach “relies heavily on Customary Law and voluntary reporting” and fails to provide “sufficient clarity or protection”.
“The draft Law seeks to address this gap by introducing clear legal obligations and processes for reporting, assessing, and preserving archaeological objects,” Deputy Morel continued.
“If adopted, it will ensure compliance with international commitments under the Valletta Convention and other heritage-related treaties, while fostering responsible searching and discovery and ensuring public access to significant finds.”
Dr Sarah Buckingham, Jersey Heritage’s director of historic properties and environment, said that the Island has “extraordinarily rich” and “world-class” archaeological heritage.
She continued “Significant finds continue to be discovered and whether they are made of stone, bone, ceramics or metal, we need to make sure this precious and irreplaceable resource is recorded and not lost.
“The new Heritage Law will provide that protection and enable us to study, record, and share understanding of the complex development of Jersey across the ages.”
Dr Buckingham added: “It will help us to meet our international obligations to provide a robust protection system for archaeology, and create a fair, consistent and transparent process for handling finds and archaeological works.”
