Metal Detecting in Kent: Moving Forward Together

Saturday 25th October, Aylesford Priory

The Archaeology Research Group are pleased to present a joint event alongside the Landscape Explorers Group in the South East (LEGISE): Metal Detecting in Kent: Moving Forward Together.

After years of mistrust and misunderstanding, forward-looking archaeologists and responsible metal detectorists are increasingly working together to advance archaeological knowledge. Kent has long been at the forefront of such a co-operative approach, and this special KAS/LEGISE event has been arranged to further develop relationships between archaeologists and detectorists.

A series of displays and illustrated talks will be presented at a day of friendly interaction and discussion, designed to allow various groups to meet and get to know each other better. The valuable contributions being made by metal detecting to aspects of Kent’s past will be highlighted. It is hoped that ways of moving forward together can be identified, and remaining problems can be resolved.

Programme subject to change

9.30 – 10.15 – Set up displays
10.15 – 10.25 – Registration and Welcome
10.25 – 11.05 – LEGISE/KAS Survey Results and Discussion — Clive Sinclair (LEGISE)
11.05 – 11.45 – Viewing of displays and meeting different groups
11.45 – 12.15 – Landscape Recording: A Case Study from Norfolk — David Barwell (LEGISE)
12.15 – 12.45 – Viewing of displays and meeting different groups
12.45 – 1.30 – Lunch (Please make your own arrangements)
1.30 – 2.00 – The Impact of Recording Iron Age Coins in Kent since 1990 — David Holman

The Archaeology Research Group is pleased to present this joint event alongside the *Landscape Explorers Group in the South East (LEGISE):
Metal Detecting in Kent: Moving Forward Together.

2.00 – 2.30 – Viewing of displays and meeting different groups
2.30 – 3.00 – An Update from the Kent Finds Liaison Officer — Isabelle Diggle
3.00 – 3.30 – Viewing of displays and meeting different groups
3.30 – 4.00 – When the Party’s Over: How Metal Detecting Can Contribute to Understanding the Two Viking Ages of Kent — Dr Heidi Stoner (CCCU)
4.00 – 4.15 – Closing remarks and conclusions
4.15 – 5.00 – Displays packed up and conference closes

[fg]jpg|Responsible detecting in action.|Image[/fg]

All photographs courtesy of The Archaeology Research Group, 2025.

Buy your tickets on the KAS website: https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/events/metal-detecting-in-kent