-
Metal Detecting Researching your site
Books – These come second in importance to your detector – you will need them to learn how to identify and understand what you find – and also to help you research your intended area of detecting. Most central libraries will have a good selection of local history and landscape archaeology books – these in…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting -Disposing of your finds?
The collecting element of Metal Detecting introduces the emotive subject of selling or buying finds. Selling archaeological finds is one of the most controversial aspects of metal detecting and is regarded as highly unethical by those of us to whom artefacts represent a historical archive. Though many detectorists now work closely with archaeologists, there is…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting and Treasure Act
Compared to many other European countries, the rules that govern the ownership of ancient artefacts found in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales are comparatively relaxed. There are concerns that the payment of rewards for ‘Treasure’ finds sends out a questionable message as well as the issue that there is also no legal requirement to report…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting What is the Portable Antiquities Scheme?
What is the Portable Antiquities Scheme? Until now many important metal detecting finds have gone unrecorded as those lucky enough to unearth such treasures have often not declared them for fear they will be taken away from them. The worrying result of this was that a huge amount of information was lost as objects fundamental…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting – Findspot Info on Portable Antiquities Scheme Database
Findspot Info on the Portable Antiquities Scheme Database 4 figs = 1km 6 figs = 100m 8 figs = 10m 10 figs = 1m. Q: What level will a findspot be shown on the website? A: When you give PAS information to enter on to their database, PAS enter into an agreement with you…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting Preservation of your finds
Many detectorists lack the specialist resources to conserve/preserve their finds, and may unintentionally treat them in ways that harm them. One of the most frequent questions detectorists ask is how to care for their finds. Many of these objects may eventually be donated to museums. But inappropriate “kitchen table” treatments and storage may jeopardise their…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting Where to detect?
Tricky one this and the subject of some animated discussions between detectorists and archaeologists. For the detectorist the advantages are that you can search these sites almost all year round and finds will probably be in better condition due to lack of ploughing etc. From the archaeological viewpoint – they would prefer detectorists to avoid…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting What Accessories?
There are a variety of coils in different shapes and sizes – some are just a few inches across up to about 18 inches. The coils can be “polo” shaped, elliptical – some are even web shaped. A number of makes of detector allow the ability to change from one type to another so it…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting in Scotland
I remember the days well? My brother and I out with our first metal detector. It was a budget detector my mother had bought our father for his birthday. We dreamed of finding hoards of gold coins and treasure chests! That was eighteen years ago and I am still looking! I have redefined my views…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting – Basic Search Techniques and Methods
Basic Search Techniques and Methods Always keep the coil level and just above the ground surface – even at the end of your swings – don’t let it lift off the ground. If you are detecting a large area with no particular concentration of finds then a more rapid rate over a wide area might…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting Medieval Pot Mends
Medieval Pot Mends from UK DETECTOR NET Banished: found this yesterday on a roman site. I remember seeing something similar in the press but cant remember what it was…….anyone any ideas? Georgian Tim: It is a medieval pot mend rivet.Ceejay ID’d one for me a few weeks ago.I think that the reference was the MOLAS…Continue…
-
Metal Detecting What are you throwing away? – a cautionary tale from a detectorist
Its easy to just chuck away what you might think of as junk – but many detectorists also keep all their finds – including items they havent got a clue what they are and are unaware of what the object represents. The following article written by “Sukisal” brings home an important message………. This find has…Continue…
