The Institute of Detectorists
The ‘award-winning’ Institute of Detectorists, has pioneered an educational development program for detectorists in working towards embedding metal detecting into professional practice, gaining ‘Institute’ status through approval from the Secretary of State, in April 2022.
This research and educational initiative first proposed in January 2017, gained strong support from the heritage sector, and was formed as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company in March 2018.
In creating Britain’s first ever course for metal detecting, there was great interest from detectorists who want to work alongside archaeologists with all 41 places at Rewley House, fully booked.
Topics such as recording, context and stratigraphic analysis were covered gaining an overall approval score rated ‘very high’ with satisfaction figures at 95%.
The course earned plaudits from the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), which gave its first-ever endorsement to metal detecting as a subject – allowing the course to be taught throughout the UK, and issuing all attendees on the Oxford course with a personalised CIfA Continuing Professional Development Certificate.
In April 2019, the course held at the University of Oxford gained National recognition and picked up a national award: the Archaeology Training Forum Award was presented to Keith Westcott and The Association of Detectorists CIC at the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Annual Conference.
Commenting on the Department’s role in offering the seminal course, Dr Toby Martin said, ‘Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education was very happy indeed to offer this course as part of our academic programme, and proud to advocate for responsible metal detecting, as well as for the embedding of archaeological methods in metal detecting practice. We certainly look forward to planning future courses with the Institute of Detectorists.’
