Archaeological association wants to help prevent illegal soil theft near the Monastery in Ter Apel

She has therefore offered her help to Staatsbosbeheer (SBB).

Metal detectors

That organization has a lot of land around the former Kruisheren monastery, which now serves as a museum. She recently removed sods of grass from a plot, with the intention of reseeding it soon. But after the stripping, strangers took their chance on that bare piece of land: they searched with metal detectors and dug in the ground. It is unclear whether they actually found ancient objects.

“In response to this, we have informed Staatsbosbeheer that we want to help if they act this way on a piece of land again,” says Ko Lenting, member of the SAM. “During that work, we can then see what is in the soil and, if there are any old objects in it, we can make them safe. So that treasure hunters won’t find anything there anymore.”

Headquarters in Emmen

The SAM is an archaeological association that has existed for decades and has its headquarters in Emmen. Some members, including Lenting, are professional archaeologists, most are amateur archaeologists.

The SAM is therefore not a professional archaeological company and therefore cannot carry out excavations on land that has a protected status and high archaeological value. “If work is carried out there, it is legally required to engage such a professional company. But we can take action on plots that do not have that status,” says Lenting.

Staatsbosbeheer spokesperson Imke Boerma says that his organization is grateful for the offer. “We are taking it into consideration.” He does say that SBB also collaborates with professional organizations such as the Cultural Heritage Agency.