Archaeologists in Flanders are concerned that treasure hunters are not submitting their findings. Often, people will visit the historical battlefields in Flanders in search of historical artefacts.
Out of the 7,000 or so metal detectorists in Flanders, only ten regularly report their findings to the government. Registering archaeology findings is mandatory, but finders often keep what they find to themselves. Registration does not change the ownership rights, which remain with the owners of the property on which the artefact was found. Registering the artefacts gives experts an idea as to where valuable artefacts are located.
By digging up the artefacts, the finders are creating an irreversible loss of information and disrupting the work of historians and archaeologists who work to preserve world heritage.
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Regarding the issue, a letter was sent to the Flemish Minister of Immovable Heritage, Matthias Diependaele. In the letter, experts ask to make a plan to protect Flemish battlefields better.
By reporting their findings, the treasure hunters are helping to identify deceased soldiers decades after their death. With the technology today, experts can provide answers to the families of the deceased.
