Talking to Metal Detectorists in the Field: A Methodology for Analysing Motivations and Attitudes to Landscape

Abstract

This paper presents original qualitative data collected from twelve extensive ‘go-along’ interviews conducted with metal detectorists between June 2012 and August 2014. It has two principal aims: first, to reflect on the go-along methodology and present the coding structure used in the thematic analysis of these attitudes, and, secondly, to explore the metal detectorists’ experience of landscape. The background of the study will be discussed before the go-along methodology and coding structure are presented in detail. An in-depth analysis of the interview data will follow, presented by theme, in order to demonstrate that the detectorists’ attitudes to landscape exceed what might be conjured by traditional preconceptions of the hobbyists as treasure hunters, and instead comprise a complex set of attitudes, motivations, and attachments. Finally, the efficacy of the methodology will be evaluated along with its potential transference for future research.