Hunting around the ground with metal detectors in hand, hobby archaeologists are usually derided by most people worldwide. However, they are an incredible asset in Denmark, so much so that the National Museum has dedicated an entire exhibit to their finds.

"What they save now means the world for what we can do in the future and how we can build our museums," exhibit curator Line Bjerg told Agence France-Presse (AFP). "What they do really matters."

In Denmark's muddy soil, if objects "are not saved, then they are lost to history," she added.

In three rooms on the museum's bottom floor, visitors can learn about "detectorists" and admire some of their discoveries, including rings, necklaces and gold coins, all marked with the name of their finder.

In the Scandinavian country once populated by Vikings, amateurs can use metal detectors almost everywhere if they get permission from the landowner. They are not, however, allowed to dig beneath the top layer of soil. Instead, any archaeological finds have to be turned over to a local museum for an initial evaluation before being transferred to the National Museum for an in-depth assessment – and a possible reward.

Detectorists' hauls can be abundant.

"Last year, we had almost 18,000 objects that were sent for treasure trove processing. The year before that, it was 30,000 objects," Bjerg said.

Known as "Danefae," any archaeological artifacts found by treasure hunters automatically belong to the state under an old medieval law.

According to Torben Trier Christiansen, an archaeologist with the Historical Museum of Northern Jutland, collaboration with hobbyists is invaluable. They are "one of the most important collaborators of the museum," he insisted.

There are more than 250 detectorists in his region, with the most active among them handing over around a hundred objects annually.

Arne Hertz, a 64-year-old pensioner who heads a local association of detectorists, said, "People are pleased to do the right thing by handing over the findings."

Writing history together

The unique collaboration is based on a mutual understanding. On the one hand, archaeological sites won't be looted. On the other, authorities can showcase amateur discoveries. "Sometimes it's these particular finds that change our history because they add knowledge that we simply did not have before," Bjerg noted.

One section of the most significant exhibition room is dedicated to the "Vindelev Treasure."

Comprised of 22 gold objects, it was buried in the sixth century in southwestern Denmark and found in late 2020 by an amateur who had just bought a metal detector. The treasure trove includes a bracteate – a thin coin stamped on one side.

"And on the inscription of the bracteate is mentioned the name of Odin, the Norse god. And it puts Odin 150 years before we knew he existed as a god," Bjerg said. "We're building our history together in Denmark."

For detectorists, whose finds have on occasion been displayed at local museums, the exhibit at the National Museum is a significant recognition.

"It's very impressive to see how the things we've found are displayed – and to see that we are actually helping a little to enrich Denmark's history," 38-year-old Simon Grevang, who works in online marketing and has been a detectorist for four years, told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The exhibit has drawn crowds since opening in February.

Annie Lund, a 72-year-old retiree enthralled by the jewelry on display, said it was a good way of making history accessible.

"Twenty or 40 years ago, this was only for a small group of people, scientists ... not for the general public. So I think this is really good," she said.