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Metal Detecting


Free Person using a metal detector on a grassy field wearing casual attire. Stock Photo
Archaeological investigation (which includes metal detecting and digging to retrieve buried objects, which is a “destructive” technique) on land owned or controlled by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, which includes municipalities, without having received a State Archaeologist’s field investigation permit, is a felony violation of state law.
 
See Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 9, §27C and 950 CMR 70.30.
 
The State Archaeologist’s permit application (950 CMR 70, Appendix B) requires that the applicant also affirms that the property owner (which in this case would be the City of New Bedford) has been notified and has agreed that the applicant may perform the proposed field investigation.
 
If interstate transfer occurs of archaeological specimens retrieved in violation of state law, that also implicates the criminal penalties of the federal Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 USC 470ee(c) and (d)).
 
Metal detecting, digging, or artifact collecting is prohibited (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 9, §27C, 950 CMR 70.30).



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