DOI issue:
Recenzje / Reviews
DOI article:Romanowski, Andrzej: [Rezension von: Arkadiusz Dymowski, Znaleziska monet rzymskich z terenu Polski rejestrowane w pierwszych latach XXI wieku]
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22230#0264
RECENZJE / REYfEWS
262
to prospecting, as well as changes in the character of the collector market. In con-
sideration of these conditions and the inability of effectively recording the massive
increase in information on new finds through direct contact, the author suggests
taking advantage of the Internet and other new media. However, he also notes
that scholars must be aware of a number of limitations and risks involved in the
interpretation of new finds. These include errors arising during the identification of
coins, false information on alleged coin finds, and the current legał regulations per-
taining to the subject in ąuestion. Also described are the most freąuent errors madę
by coin finders regarding coinage identification, as well as a considerable number
of various motivations and attitudes resulting in distortions or even outright fab-
rication of find-related information. Citing the 2003 act regulating the protection
and maintenance of historical monuments in Poland (Ustawa o ochronie zabytków
i opiece nad zabytkami), the author makes use of some relevant listings and ex-
amples to demonstrate that the present legał framework does not correspond to the
reality on the gound, and that its provisions are mostly ineffective. The inability
to enforce the applicable regulations, on the one hand, coupled with the excessive
enforcement thereof, on the other, leads to a decrease in the number of recorded
coin finds.
Chapter 4 is concemed with the territorial rangę of the relevant numismatic
finds. Some comments opening this part of the book throw light on the factors
responsible for the current shape of this issue. These are well worth our attention.
The practice of unąuestioningly formulating conclusions based solely on the dis-
persal of new coin finds, without linking them to previous discoveries and settle-
ment maps may lead to interpretational errors, especially with regard to the living
culture. In certain cases, finds may attest to the military history of the country
rather than to the living and extinct cultures. It is also worth noting at this point
that the above-mentioned ąuestion of the greater representativeness of the newly
discovered coins refers, in terms of territory, to comparatively limited and well-
explored areas. Thanks to the analysis of the dispersal of coin finds in particular
areas, it is possible to observe relations between previously known sites of finds of
Roman coins and the settlement locations. These observations are madę easy by
the chapter’s several maps.
The longest of the book, Chapter 5 delivers a statistical analysis of the collect-
ed materiał. Commenting on the proportions among the coin finds of various types,
the chapter clearly illustrates that the overwhełming amount of the coins have been
found as single finds, which is the result of the use of metal detectors allowing the
finder to come across such materiał morę effectively. A thorough analysis of metals
and denomination basically confirms the previous findings on the problem. At the
same time, we can observe certain fluctuations between the earlier and morę recent
262
to prospecting, as well as changes in the character of the collector market. In con-
sideration of these conditions and the inability of effectively recording the massive
increase in information on new finds through direct contact, the author suggests
taking advantage of the Internet and other new media. However, he also notes
that scholars must be aware of a number of limitations and risks involved in the
interpretation of new finds. These include errors arising during the identification of
coins, false information on alleged coin finds, and the current legał regulations per-
taining to the subject in ąuestion. Also described are the most freąuent errors madę
by coin finders regarding coinage identification, as well as a considerable number
of various motivations and attitudes resulting in distortions or even outright fab-
rication of find-related information. Citing the 2003 act regulating the protection
and maintenance of historical monuments in Poland (Ustawa o ochronie zabytków
i opiece nad zabytkami), the author makes use of some relevant listings and ex-
amples to demonstrate that the present legał framework does not correspond to the
reality on the gound, and that its provisions are mostly ineffective. The inability
to enforce the applicable regulations, on the one hand, coupled with the excessive
enforcement thereof, on the other, leads to a decrease in the number of recorded
coin finds.
Chapter 4 is concemed with the territorial rangę of the relevant numismatic
finds. Some comments opening this part of the book throw light on the factors
responsible for the current shape of this issue. These are well worth our attention.
The practice of unąuestioningly formulating conclusions based solely on the dis-
persal of new coin finds, without linking them to previous discoveries and settle-
ment maps may lead to interpretational errors, especially with regard to the living
culture. In certain cases, finds may attest to the military history of the country
rather than to the living and extinct cultures. It is also worth noting at this point
that the above-mentioned ąuestion of the greater representativeness of the newly
discovered coins refers, in terms of territory, to comparatively limited and well-
explored areas. Thanks to the analysis of the dispersal of coin finds in particular
areas, it is possible to observe relations between previously known sites of finds of
Roman coins and the settlement locations. These observations are madę easy by
the chapter’s several maps.
The longest of the book, Chapter 5 delivers a statistical analysis of the collect-
ed materiał. Commenting on the proportions among the coin finds of various types,
the chapter clearly illustrates that the overwhełming amount of the coins have been
found as single finds, which is the result of the use of metal detectors allowing the
finder to come across such materiał morę effectively. A thorough analysis of metals
and denomination basically confirms the previous findings on the problem. At the
same time, we can observe certain fluctuations between the earlier and morę recent