Looking for
a new site to detect, but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help.
When metal detecting, the world is your oyster, but sometimes you have too much choice. We recommend doing your research before you head out with your detector. This can help you hone in on areas of interest where you may be more likely to find treasure.
You can do
this in a number of ways. One way is to research old maps and Google Earth,
where you can identify all sorts of markings. Head down to your local library
or ask local landowners who may be able to help you. Google Earth is an
excellent tool for spotting potential sites that with permission you can then
carry our further research on the ground.
Another
excellent way to scout out a site is by ‘fieldwalking’ it first. Of course,
anywhere you are looking to fieldwalk or detect, be sure to get the right
permission first. If you’re just starting out in the hobby, it can be difficult
to know what to look for when fieldwalking. The experts at Crawfords have put
together our top signs of settlement, and we hope it helps you on your next
adventure.
Equipment
When
fieldwalking we would advise a note-book to note down anything you see and a
camera. These days of course your mobile phone camera is perfectly adequate for
pictures of the site etc. Sturdy grip-seal plastic bags are recommended as you
will no doubt be taking pottery samples etc home for identification.
Cropmarks
Cropmarks
can be a spectacular site and are great for pinning down the exact location of
ancient buildings and ditches etc. You must be vigilant though as they are not
always visible. Certain crops such as wheat or barley will show them best but
only in dryer seasons and even then, they may only show for a couple of days.
Cropmarks
are discolouration found in crops and are caused by anomalies beneath the soil
causing its moisture content to be higher or lower than soil around it. For
instance, an ancient and long forgotten boundary ditch will still hold water
and cause the crop above to put down deep roots to find the water. The crop
here ripens slower so this ditch will show as a green unripe line against the
rest of the crop which has ripened faster and turned yellow. Ancient wall
foundations will cause the opposite to happen. The crop above a wall cannot
find water so tends to be less healthy and will usually ripen faster. This will
show as a yellowing crop against the green, less ripe crop. Historians and
archaeologist love crop marks and your local library will hold many aerial
photographs of crop marks up and down the country. The advent of Drone
technology has made spotting cropmarks quick and easy to be there at the right
time. However, you must ensure you have the relevant permission from the
landowner etc before attempting to fly over a field.
Pottery
Pottery fragments can be found on a whole host of
settlement sites and can often be key to identifying the age and date of a
site. This literally can be anything from an iron age settlement to a Victorian
Manor house, as pottery has of course been used by humans for thousands of
years. As a general rule of thumb, unglazed pottery sherds are pre-medieval,
and glazed fragments are often medieval to modern. Identifying and collecting
pot sherds is almost a hobby in itself and does take some practice The best
advice we can give is to look for fragments which are obviously pottery such as
rims, bases or handles etc as these are much easier to identify and date. Fortunately,
there are several great books to help with pottery identification such as
‘Pottery in Britain’ by Lloyd Laing
Stones and tiles
Scattered stones can represent a number of different
things, from mediaeval churches to Roman villas and a whole variety of other
buildings and reasons. They can be visible for miles, depending on the colour
of soil they are located on. As with pottery, practice is required in identification,
and we recommend looking for fragments which have been ‘worked’. These
fragments will show very flat sides or squared corners or may even show chisel
marks etc.
Shells
Both freshwater and marine shells can be an excellent indication of an area of settlement. Oysters were a staple part of our diet from back in Roman times up until fairly recently. As an oyster shell ages it becomes paler in colour, and more recent shells are usually a grey-brown. Small types of white snail shells can indicate that where you’re searching was wetter in the past. These shells can also be an excellent indication of ploughed out ditches.
Soil types
Seasoned detectorists know that becoming familiar with different types of soil is a valuable skill, and an excellent sign of settlement. Dark, rich and fertile valley soils have encouraged settlers for thousands of years, due to the high crop yield and how easy it is to plough. As a rule, heavy hilltop clay soils were not usually settled on, as it was too tough to plough with hand tools.
Animal tracks
If you’re detecting in fields or woodland, it is likely that you will come across animal tracks. This could be along the lines of where deer or other large animals have crossed fields, where they will leave imprints in the ground. Animals such as badgers are creatures of habit and will always use the same tracks. This over time becomes well-worn and can be deceptive both online and when on location.
Red herrings
There are many markings which can look like
something incredibly intriguing, but are in actual fact just red herrings. If
you’re researching a site either with a map, on Google Earth or on foot, be
sceptical at first. Research online and at your local library etc to see if the
site is known and recorded already. Also ask yourself if the characteristics of
the place fit with the type of site you believe it may be. Is there a water
source nearby for instance? There is a great scene in the BBC series, The
Detectorists in which one of the characters believes they have seen evidence of
a Roman settlement on Google Earth, but unfortunately, it’s… well, we won’t
spoil it you’ll have to watch it to find out.
Telegraph poles
Sounds strange, right? Telegraph poles and pylons can encourage rough, grassy growth at their base. This can look especially strange if you’re viewing them from above, such as on a map or aerial footage of the area.
Hopefully now you have more of an idea of things to look out for - and things to avoid when you are searching for signs of settlement. Remember research is key. Approach with an open mind and try not to jump to conclusions. You will make mistakes, we all do. Even the best archaeologists have presented theories which have later proved to be wrong. The best advice we can give is enjoy your research! There is nothing more satisfying to discover and prove the existence of an ancient site that no one knew was there until you came along!
As always, we encourage mindful metal detecting: be
sure to close any gates you have opened on your way, look out for livestock
such as sheep or cows, and obey any legal signs that are displayed. We hope
this helps you on your way to discovering interesting and exciting objects in
your local area.
FAQs
How do I know where I’m allowed to detect?
In the UK, there are strict rules about where you can and cannot metal detect. If you are on private land, always get the owner's permission beforehand. Other helpful resources include The Crown Estate and the UK Government website.
What should I take with me when I am metal detecting?
The more you get into the world of metal detecting, the more you will want to invest in both time and technology. However, if you’re just starting out, there are a number of items which will be invaluable. The first is a decent metal detector, take a look at our beginners range here. Other items we would recommend include headphones, a shovel or scoop and a small bag to keep your finds in.
What should I wear when I go detecting or fieldwalking?
We always recommend being prepared for the UK
weather, especially if you think you are going to be out for a long time.
Sturdy, waterproof boots are a given, in addition to a good raincoat and pair
of trousers. Ensure you keep hydrated with a bottle of water, and you may even
want a convenient snack in your pocket to keep your energy levels up. A hat and
sunglasses are also useful if there is a possibility of rare British sunshine!