If you could go metal detecting anywhere in world, where would it be?

Lately we have been lucky with some beautiful weather and around siesta time, we have all found ourselves in a bit of a day dream thinking about if we could go metal detecting anywhere in the world, where would we go and why?

Sure, we came up with tonnes of places we would like to go…here is our top 5!

…Machu Picchu was one. Why? Famously referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas” and located in southern Peru, this fascinating city lies on top of a mountain only accessible by train or 4-day trek (we fancied the trek). It was an important cultural centre for the Inca civilisation, but was abandoned when the Spanish came. The location was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 and was also named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007!

Petra was another. Why? We think Petra is one of the coolest and biggest attractions in the world! Carved into a canyon in Arabah, Jordan, Petra was made famous by the third Indiana Jones film when he went to find the Holy Grail. Though its founding is not known, it appears this place had settlers as early as the 6th century B.C. Under Roman rule, the site declined rapidly and was abandoned by the late 4th century.

Stonehenge. Why? First off, yes there are amazing place around the world, but let’s not be guilty of overlooking what’s on our doorstep! Located near Salisbury, England, this megalithic structure is over 3,000 years old, and its stones come all the way from Wales. Scholars still are not sure how the builders got the stones from Wales, and have tried to replicate the feat with dismal results. Stonehenge is now fenced off, and you can no longer go into the circle…we’d love to get in there and see what we’d find!

The Colesseum. Why? This one almost doesn’t need any justification, in fact, none of them do really. The idea of standing in the spot Caesar walked, and being amongst the remains of a civilisation that once controlled the “known” world ranks this pretty highly with us. The Colosseum has slowly crumbled throughout the ages and much of it is now restricted; especially the floor and basement where everything was organised…we’d love to have dig here!

The Pyramids at Giza. Why? These beauties are over 3000 years old, and we still don’t have a good idea as to how the Egyptians built these and with such precision. They are truly a marvel of human engineering. The largest, the Great Pyramid, was built by the Pharaoh Khufu and has limited access to it. The Pyramids align to the stars and the solstices and contain vast chambers we still haven’t opened…

So those were a selection of the places we would love to go metal detecting in if we could…

We asked the gang on our Facebook page and here’s what they said…

Deano Young: around the pyramid. In Egypt.

Gabrielle Freeman: Ephesus in turkey.

Peter Davey: On Buckingham Palace lawn

Stephen Llewellyn: got to be rome, history beneath your feet on a mega scale.

Andrew Fudge: UK for me loads of history here on my doorstep

Chris Keyworth: My fave detecting spot thysdrus north africa detected there many times

Hugo Fernandes: PORTUGAL

Richard Walker: Algarve beaches with my minelab Explorer se.

Like us on Facebook and tell us where you would detect and why….

Metal Detecting Law in Scotland and Northern Ireland

In this blog post I will cover the Law for Scotland & Northern Ireland.

Scotland:

What to do if you make a find

• All finds, whether made by chance, by metal-detecting, fieldwalking or archaeological excavation are the property of the Crown and may be claimed as treasure trove
• If you have found a coin and/or object which is likely to be of historical or archaeological interest or importance you must report it for treasure trove assessment.
• If you are not sure what type of find should be reported please contact the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU) for advice in the first instance.
• It is important not to dismiss a find if you don’t know what it is. The most unpromising find can turn out to be an important missing piece of the past.
• The Case archive shows examples of recent finds which have been claimed as treasure trove and details of the museums to which they have been allocated.

How to report a find

• Download and complete a reporting form
• email it to: info@treasuretrovescotland.co.uk
• or post it to the TTU
• or telephone and ask for a form to be sent to you
• If you have a digital image of the find you have made it is very helpful to include this as an email attachment or as a hard copy along with your form.

What will happen next

• The TTU will contact you to acknowledge receipt of your form
• If the find is suitable for further assessment or for recording purposes, arrangements will be made with you for the find to be delivered to the TTU.
• If the find is not appropriate for treasure trove purposes (eg Victorian and modern coins, Victorian and modern horse gear, brasses, buckles and fragments of machinery etc,) you will be advised.

Finds which are claimed as treasure trove

• What happens when a find is claimed as treasure trove.

Finds which are not claimed as treasure trove

• Finds which are not claimed by the Crown are returned to the finder by the along with an individually numbered certificate stating that the Crown is not exercising its right to claim.

Treatment of finds

• Please do not clean or apply substances such as wax or lacquer etc to coins or objects you have found. Rewards will be reduced or waived for finds which have been treated and/or damaged by cleaning or the application of such substances.
• Please consult Treatment of finds page for information.

Illegal removal of finds from Scotland

• Under the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003, it is a criminal offence to remove any coin or object from Scotland, see http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030027.htm
• Finders should make themselves familiar with the Legal position relating to treasure trove in Scotland where finds are the property of the Crown, not the finder or the landowner.

Use of a metal detector in Scotland

• Under Section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979) it is a criminal offence to use a metal detector on a scheduled ancient monument or a monument in the guardianship of the State. It is also an offence to remove from such a monument any object of archaeological or historical interest found using a metal detector. If in any doubt as to whether a site is scheduled you should check with Historic Scotland or the landowner.

Northern Ireland:

The   Treasure   Act   1996   came   into   force   on 24  September 1997 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, replacing the common law of treasure trove.

This leaflet provides a summary of the main points of the new law: further information will be
found in the Code of Practice on the Treasure Act, which can be obtained free of charge from the
Environment & Heritage Service (EHS).   Metal detectorists are strongly advised to obtain a copy of
the Code of Practice which, among other things, contains guidance for detectorists and restrictions
on searching for archaeological objects, sets out guidelines on rewards, gives advice on the care
of finds and contains useful addresses.

What is the definition of treasure?
The following finds are treasure under the Act (more detailed guidance is given in the Code of
Practice):

1.  Objects other than coins: any object other than a coin provided that it contains at least 10
per cent of gold or silver and is at least 300 years old when found. (Objects with gold or silver
plating normally have less than 10 per cent of precious metal.)

2.  Coins: all coins from the same find provided that they are at least 300 years old when found
(but if the coins contain less than 10 per cent of gold or silver there must be at least 10 of
them).

An object or coin is part of the same find as another object or coin if it is found in the same
place as, or had previously been left together with, the other object. Finds may have become
scattered since they were originally deposited in the ground.

Only the following groups of coins will normally be regarded as coming from the ‘same find’:
✦
hoards that have been deliberately hidden;
✦   smaller groups of coins, such as the contents of purses, that may have been dropped or lost;
and
✦   votive or ritual deposits.
Single coins found on their own are not treasure and groups of coins lost one by one over a period
of time (for example those found on urban sites) will not normally be treasure.

3.  Associated objects: any object, whatever it is
made of, that is found in the same place as, or that had previously been together with, another
object that is treasure.

4. Objects that would have been treasure trove: any object that would previously have been treasure
trove, but does not fall within the specific categories given above. These objects have to be made
substantially of gold or silver; they have to have been buried with the intention of recovery, and
the owners or their heirs cannot be traced.
The following types of finds are not treasure:
✦   objects whose owners can be traced;
✦  unworked natural objects, including human and animal remains, even if they are found in
association with treasure; and
✦ objects from the foreshore, which are wreck.
Metal detectorists should be aware of the restrictions imposed by the Historic Monuments and
Archaeological Objects (NI) Order 1995. If you search for archaeological objects without a licence
issued by the Department you may receive a fine of up to level 3 on the standard scale. If you are found in possession of a metal detector or similar device on a
protected site without such a licence you may receive a fine of up to level 4.

What should I do if I find something that may be treasure?
All finds of treasure must be reported to the coroner for the district in which they were found
either within
14 days after the day on which you made the find or within 14 days after the day on which you
realised that the find might be treasure (for example, as a result of having  it  identified).  The
obligation  to  report  finds
applies to everyone, including archaeologists.

How do I report a find of treasure?
Very simply. You may report your find to the coroner in person, by letter, telephone, fax, etc. The
coroner or his officer will send you an acknowledgement and tell you where to send your find. The
Code of Practice has a list of all coroners with their addresses, telephone
and fax numbers. A police station will also
be able to provide details of the local coroner

You could also bring your find to a museum or to EHS for examination and, if such a body determines
that the find might be treasure, they will report it to the local coroner on your behalf.
Where will I take my find?
You will normally be asked to take your find to the Ulster Museum, a local museum or EHS, if you
have not already done so. The body which receives the find on behalf of the coroner will give you a
receipt. Although they will need to know where you made the find, they will keep this information
confidential if you or the landowner wish.
The body receiving the find will notify the Sites and Monuments Record in EHS as soon as possible
(if that has not already happened), so that the site where the find was made can be investigated by
archaeologists if necessary.   If the find was not brought originally to the Ulster Museum, the
receiving body will deliver it to them for investigation.

What if I do not report a find of treasure?
If you fail to report a find that you believe or have reasonable grounds for believing to be
treasure without a reasonable excuse you may be imprisoned for up to three months or receive a fine
of up to level
5 on the standard scale, or both. You will not be breaking the law if you do not report a find
because you do not initially recognise that it might be treasure, but you must report it once you
do realise this.

What happens if the find is not treasure?
If the object is clearly not treasure, the museum or EHS will inform the coroner, who may then
decide to give directions that the find should be returned without holding an inquest.

What happens if the find is treasure?
If the museum curator or archaeologist believes that the find may be treasure, he will inform the
Ulster  Museum.  It  will  decide  whether  it wishes to acquire the find. If it does not, other
museums may express an interest
in acquiring the find.

Metal Detecting Law in England & Wales

Following my previous article on “etiquette in metal detecting” I thought I would touch on the law surrounding metal detecting and how it affects the metal detecting fraternity in the UK.

Please be aware that the legislation is different if you live in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• The following finds are Treasure under the Act, if found after 24 September 1997 (or, in the case of category 2, if found after 1 January 2003):

1. Any metallic object, other than a coin, provided that at least 10 per cent by weight of metal is precious metal (that is, gold or silver) and that it is at least 300 years old when found. If the object is of prehistoric date it will be Treasure provided any part of it is precious metal.
2. Any group of two or more metallic objects of any composition of prehistoric date that come from the same find (see below)
3. All coins from the same find provided they are at least 300 years old when found (but if the coins contain less than 10 per cent of gold or silver there must be at least ten of them). Only the following groups of coins will normally be regarded as coming from the same find:

   • hoards that have been deliberately hidden
   • smaller groups of coins, such as the contents of purses, that may been dropped or lost
   • votive or ritual deposits.
4. Any object, whatever it is made of, that is found in the same place as, or had previously been together with, another object that is Treasure.
5. Any object that would previously have been treasure trove, but does not fall within the specific categories given above. Only objects that are less than 300 years old, that are made substantially of gold or silver, that have been deliberately hidden with the intention of recovery and whose owners or heirs are unknown will come into this category.

• Note:
  1)An object or coin is part of the ‘same find’ as another object or coin if it is found in the same place as, or had previously been together with, the other object. Finds may have become scattered since they were originally deposited in the ground.2) “of prehistoric date” means dating from the Iron Age or any earlier period

Our first mission

Our first metal detecting mission: 

I set out on a stroll accompanied by my friend Jonny (also new to metal detecting), E-TRAC and spade in hand. We got about 20 metres before we were stopped…”Excuse me, what are you doing”…we were asked…”metal detecting” we replied politely. We were met with a startled look. The penny dropped (no pun intended), we were on a British Heritage Site; Bradwell Abbey, Buckinghamshire. We had a small suspicion that they may not like it, we had no idea it was illegal and we could be fined!

Lesson 1; get permission. Ask land owners if you can detect and dig on their land; don’t just assume and if they say no, move on.

The gentleman who stopped us was really very nice, he explained to us that metal detecting on a Heritage site is illegal and we could be fined and arrested. He wasn’t being funny, he explained to us that the law was trying to ensure we look after our heritage and history and not slowly erode it. Apparently permission can be applied for via the Government and various bodies, and there would need to be an archaeologist there from what i could gather;  we decided to stop and do our research…

I think we were so excited by the idea of hunting for treasure, so to speak, we didn’t appreciate or even acknowledge the historical aspect of what we were embarking on. Lesson 2: this is not like an easter egg hunt in your back garden; be respectful.

The problem here was we were on a Heritage site. Private land is different, as is public land. You must however always ask permission of the landowner and a good metal detectorist will always declare and record their find so I’ve been told. Some landowners may let you keep what you have found, but if you have not asked the landowner, not only are you trespassing, what you find belongs to them and you are also reflecting badly on the hobby of metal detecting.

I’m off to do some more research, read some magazines; I’m told The Searcher and Treasure Hunting are good and learn to walk before I can run. I’m Excited…till next time…happy hunting!

Discovering metal detecting…a novice’s view

Discovering metal-detecting…. By Gabby

…When someone says to me ‘metal detecting’ I immediately think of a treasure hunt, anoraks  and eccentrics. Then I hear a member of one of the biggest rock and roll bands in the world is a    metal detecting enthusiast and thinks it is “probably the best and most enjoyable way of learning about History.”

If it’s good enough for Rolling Stones bassist, Bill Wyman then maybe I am totally mislead and uninformed…let’s find out…

My New Toy: Minelab E-TRAC

Courtesy of Joan Allen Metal Detectors, I have myself a neatly packed box with a Minelab E-TRAC (which I am told is Minelab’s most technologically advanced detector, setting the industry benchmark) waiting to be unpacked. I am actually a bit nervous as it all looks a bit complicated…

…In the box there was a whole array of parts; coils, shafts, control boxes, headphones…an instruction manual (phew)! So I got to work in assembling this beast and it was surprisingly easy. I found myself more excited at every part that connected and you can’t help but notice the real quality and strength of the product; impressive. I was relieved the instruction manual was actually an instruction manual and not a maze like those flat pack furniture ones; it was clear and concise with diagrams illustrating each step. I was beginning to think this metal detecting lark could be good fun…

The instruction manual had all sorts of great information in it. Despite having this rather skeptic view about metal detecting, i realised i didn’t actually know much about it at all, how it worked, the technology; so i decided to do a bit of reading…

How Metal Detectors Work: 

I read that metal detectors create an electromagnetic field around the coil (the round flat bit that hovers over the surface) which penetrates the ground. Metal is conductive so it causes a change in the electromagnetic field, the detector then senses a change and sends a signal to the control box to alert whoever is operating it.

Metal detectors can determine the size, shape and composition of the metallic objects beneath the coil and the larger the object the easier it is to detect; pretty cool when you think about it.

I guess all is left to do now is to give it a go…

Joan Allen detectors, A Dummy’s guide to the metal detector (by a dummy)

Introduction

Joan Allen have given us a couple of Metal detectors to test. We’re expecting the unexpected, mud, history and maybe a little bit of an exciting adventure!

Discovering metal-detecting… (Jonny)

 

I begin this blog with a frank admission. I know absolutely nothing about metal detecting. The extent of my knowledge goes as far as, people walk around in fields and hunt for treasure. So what am I doing writing a blog for Joan Allen, a leading name in the UK metal detecting world?

 

It’s simple really, they have given me a Minelab X-terra 705 and over the coming weeks I will be recording my experiences right from the start as a novice to the hobby until, hopefully, I’m hooked. There will be live twitter (we will mark our blog tweets with “News update”) and Flickr updates, recording our progress out in the field as well as reports on our success’s and, inevitably, our failures! We will also aim to inform the world on how to best go about getting permission to detect on privately owned land and what to do if you find something special…

 

Opening the X-Terra 705 

 

So having received my shiny new box complete with Joan allen finds pouch and rechargeable batteries, I found myself brimming with excitement. The thought of wondering across one of the UK’s premier medieval heritage sites (Bradwell abbey, Milton Keynes) with a metal detector is actually a very appealing one even in this bitterly cold weather. Opening the X-terra you are confronted by several different parts. No doubt a familiar sight for veterans of the hobby but for me a little daunting, it needn’t have been. The manual explained things brilliantly and in under 10 minutes, grinning constantly, I had a fully assembled Minelab Metal detector.

 

Picking it up it was lighter and more mobile than I thought it would be, lending itself to a potentially long day of detecting. The manual gives the advice to test the different settings on the X-Terra with familiar pieces of metal like coins, foil or tin cans.

 

Let the adventure begin!