[voidUpdate]

I assume there is a kind of permit system, given the "unless you have written permission from the government" part

[fullspectrumdev]

You can apply for a permit - you usually only will get one for a specific area if you are an archaeologist associated with a university or a museum or something apparently.

The law is intended specifically to prevent random people digging up stuff and causing damage to historic sites.

[lazide]

‘When metal detectors are outlawed, only outlaws will have metal detectors’?