An introduction to Metal Detecting

[Brianmo]

AN INTRODUCTION TO METAL DETECTING

So, either through looking at this site or through another medium, you are in some way interested in the hobby of metal detecting. You may have a metal detector, you may not, but either way you may be interested in having a short introduction to the hobby.

Metal detecting has been in existence as an established hobby since the early 1970’s, in excess of 30 years. Metal detectors have come on in leaps and bounds since those early days of Beat Frequency Oscillator (BFO's) and home-made metal detectors. Today's machines are sophisticated and are run to varying degrees by electronics and can even be computerized. Note that many will be from the USA and as such will have displays that depict US coins. For information and advice on metal detectors and which type might suit you we suggest that you visit the UK DETECTOR NET FORUM or seek the advice from one of our supporting Dealers. http://www.forumukdetectornet.co.uk/php ... um.php?f=8

Once you have a metal detector you will need to consider some associated equipment. The purchase of suitable clothing with some good boots or Wellingtons is important whether detecting inland or on the beach. It is essential to purchase a good spade, trowel or hand/foot sieve (for the beach) depending on where you will be carrying out your detecting, as well as some suitable all-weather clothing especially if the weather is wet or cold. Further advice on this can be found in the Beginners Section on UKDN (UK DETECTOR NET).

Believe it or not, you cannot just go anywhere with your metal detector. All land in the UK is owned by someone and you will need permission to venture onto any land that is inland of the coast to use a metal detector. Firstly the best advice is to test out your machine in your grounds i.e. your back garden or that of a relative or friend. Beaches are normally OK to venture onto, but check the Noticeboards often found at the entrances to make sure there are no local by-laws preventing metal detecting.

Gaining permission is not always an easy thing to do, especially if you are a shy individual. It’s a bit like selling double-glazing i.e. you knock at the door and have 30 seconds or less to win over the person who answers the door.

When seeking permission for farmland you need to approach the landowner and show that you are a responsible and honest individual, who posses suitable public liability insurance and understands the law of the land concerning the 1996 Treasure Act in particular. Further advice on gaining permission can be found in the Beginners Section on UKDN (UK DETECTOR NET)

If you feel that you are not up to gaining your own permission then you can always join a local club. There are many metal detecting clubs throughout England, Scotland and Wales and one can usually be found in or close to your nearest big town or city. Club's normally meet once a month, sometimes more frequently, and will be able to offer advice and support for you as a club member. Often you can gain new friends with whom you can metal detect as well as share petrol expenses and site information and permissions.

Some land in the UK is strictly out-of-bounds to metal detectorist and information on this subject can be found in the UKDN Beginners Section.

Despite what you may read in some press stories most metal detector users NEVER get to find any treasure. Treasure being defined by the average man in the street as a “box full of gold coins and other such trinkets” Many of us have never found anything barely resembling the man in the streets idea of what treasure should consist of.

To the metal detectorist “treasure” could be finding a plain old 1947 penny after four hours of finding nothing on a cold, wet and windy winter’s afternoon. “Treasure” could be the silence and solitude of walking up and down a ploughed field on a Spring morning. “Treasure” could be finding a certain type of coin, even if it's a Victorian Shilling worth just a couple of pounds, after fifteen years of trying.

Most metal detectorist will find an incredible amount of junk and scrap. These are removed from farm fields, parks and beaches. It is seen as par for the course. If you want to find something special, interesting or even worth reporting then you can expect to find a fair amount of rubbish as well. Do not think of giving up the hobby because all you have found is scrap, as we all find it !!

There is a high chance that objects of archaeological importance will be found by yourself and there is lots of information as to how these should be treated and recorded. Most detectorist are now aware that this type of material should be recorded for future generations. It is no longer acceptable to simply remove sensitive material from the ground without recording both what they are and where they came from. The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) was established in 1997 with local Finds Liaison Officers (FLO's) who will be happy to record the precious finds you make. UKDN fully supports this scheme and its aims. Further information about the PAS can be found at http://www.finds.org.uk

Further advice on this can be found in the Beginners section on UKDN (UK DETECTOR NET)

If you are lucky enough to find treasure then you will need to know that there are strict guidelines as to what legal procedures should be followed next. Any Treasure find will not belong to you, it will belong to either the Crown (Under the 1996 Treasure Act) or if disclaimed later after going through the treasure process to the Landowner and the Finder so you will need some sort of agreement with the landowner to ensure that you get your fair share for finding it. You will find more details of this in the “Treasure Act” part of the Beginners section of UKDN and it will be also covered in the gaining permission section too.

Metal Detecting is a wonderful, exciting and rewarding hobby. It’s a great way to relax being out in the open air, either alone or with friends, searching for objects which will be of interest to you and your friends, but knowing that the next signal could be the one that enables you to unearth a find of potential national importance.