Theres obviously little point in digging things up if you don’t take the time and effort to find out what they are!
Your local finds liaison officer will help you to identify your finds.
This knowledge enhances the enjoyment to be had from detecting. The ability to identify finds is something that will come with practise. Some things are obvious, others not so.
Books are essential and museums will usually offer an identification service
A visit to one of the many detecting forums may also help you – there are usually a number of “resident” knowledgable people in their midst who are often extremely helpful in their expert field.
The following discussions will give you and insight into the type of help they provide: