An ancient monument, Roman fort and amphitheatre at Richborough, near Sandwich, at the centre of the story of Roman’s in Britain has been targeted by illegal metal detectorists, reports KentOnline.
… the scene of so-called ‘nighthawking’…
KentOnline writes:
The Roman fort and amphitheatre at Richborough, near Sandwich, has been the scene of so-called ‘nighthawking’ – when people without permission descend on a piece of land in search of hidden treasures.
English Heritage, which has responsibility for the ancient site, says it is beefing up security to try and prevent detectorists hunting historic artefacts in contravention of the law.
The fort is currently closed to the public while it undergoes a revamp of its visitor attractions ahead of a re-opening next year.
Roy Porter, senior properties curator at English Heritage South, said: “When people illegally metal detect, they are robbing every one of us of our heritage and our understanding of it.
“The artefacts at Richborough are not about monetary value, every item found at the site is a key to unlocking our past…’
Richborough was occupied throughout the entire duration of the Roman occupation of Britain…
For more background see the English Heritage website
