'I have better stuff at home': treasure hunting and private collecting of World War II artefacts in Finnish Lapland. Issue 2 (14th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herva, Vesa-Pekka; Koskinen-Koivisto, Eerika; Seitsonen, Oula; Thomas, Suzie
• Is Part Of: World archaeology. Volume 48:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2016-03-14
• Subjects: Collectors -- alternative archaeology -- artefact hunters -- Finnish Lapland -- metal detecting -- World War II; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archéologie -- Périodiques; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2016.1184586
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-8243

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Almost all archaeologists encounter collectors of different kinds of artefacts at some point in their career, whether it is the private collectors of financially valuable antiquities or 'amateur archaeologists' who have amassed personal collections of local finds. In our research into the material legacy of the German presence in northern Finland during World War II, we have encountered both artefact hunters (primarily but not exclusively metal detecting enthusiasts) and artefact collectors (sometimes the same people) with a specific interest in military remains from this location and period. In this article, we explore these alternative perspectives on collecting, and frame them within the context of treasure hunters, militaria collectors and other history hobbyists, and their relationship to the 'official' heritage managers and curators.