Saving Our History

I am currently looking for fields, woods, unused paddocks and disused land with permission to metal detect.

Alternatively, any land that is due to go under tarmac, concrete or to be developed in the near future is also a great opportunity to save any possible artefacts before they are lost forever.
I am based in Sedgefield and I am especially interested in metal detecting on land within the parishes and surrounding areas.

As a metal detectorist, I look forward to uncovering the forgotten past which lies concealed beneath our feet.  It is amazing how much can be discovered about the past of an area by the retrieval of a few lost artefacts or everyday items.

All historic objects found (metal or otherwise) would be reported to the respective landowner, and with their permission, recorded with the portable antiquities scheme's Finds Liaison Officer.  

To protect the landowners confidentiality, precise find-spots, i.e. the six or eight digit Grid References, are only published on a need-to-know basis and not in the broader public domain.  

To protect their interest, landowners are advised to enter into a simple, written agreement with the searcher(s).  A 50-50 agreement is the norm, i.e, 50% of the monetary value to the landowner and 50% to the individual finder(s).  A search agreement is recommended by, among others, the NFU Country Landowner's Association, National Council for Metal Detecting and Council for British Archaeology.

I am a member of and abide by the National Council for Metal Detecting Code of Conduct and the DCMS Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales.

It is the tangible link that an artefact gives us, to those that lived here in the past that drives me, not the value of the item.  A bronze Roman coin may only be worth a few pounds but the excitement of finding such a thing 1,800 years after it was lost never goes away. 

I would particularly like to record any finds (Medieval, Anglo-Saxon or Roman) on this site as an ongoing record of our areas past history.

If permission were granted, I would adhere to the following points-

• All holes would be filled and the land would be left in as close condition to that  in which it was found with as little disturbance as possible.

• I would remove any scrap metal whilst on your land and dispose of it in a responsible manner.

• I would adhere to all of your requirements.

• Not make any noise.

• If required, let you know in advance when I would be hoping to turn up to do a little detecting.

• Respect your privacy at all times.

• Adhere to all boundaries set out by your self, only searching the fields that you have specified.

• I would be happy to provide a map from Google earth so that your property boundaries and any exclusions could be marked up with yourself.

• I would be an extra set of eyes and alert you immediately to any damage to your land, property animals etc that I notice.

I would be pleased to meet any landowner who with agreement wishes to consider having their land searched.  If interested, please contact me via the "contact us" link at the top of this page.

Where I can't go: National Trust land even if managed by you and under the plough.  Any recognised historical or archaeological site, or designated SSSI.

The Mindset Of A Detectorist

Detectorists spend considerable amounts of time and money in the pursuit of their hobby.  They brave all kinds of weather conditions, and have been responsible for a series of marvelous finds in recent years.  Metal detectorists are responsible for contributing a vast amount of knowledge and enhancing our local and national history for future generations to enjoy.  

As detectorists we like to believe that we are custodians of our nations history, and as such we have a responsibility to add to that knowledge whenever and wherever possible.  

It seems to me that it makes much more sense to find and record, as many items as possible so they can be preserved and cherished, before they rot in the earth, or become irrevocably damaged by the plough.

Modern detecting is becoming a sophisticated hobby.  Many of the finds made, including the details of their locations are already helping the archaeological community to follow up on the initial findings we make, which often leads them to sites of potential significance.  

Sadly there is a small element on the fringes of the hobby that has done harm to the image of the metal detecting community.  That being said, thankfully this type of illegal detecting is in the minority.  

Amateur metal detecting is in my opinion a force for good.  It allows people to get out and explore our beautiful historical landscape.  It also allows people to immerse themselves in our past in a meaningful way. 

Below is a list of some of the more notable items uncovered by UK detectorists.

The Ringlemere Gold Cup

Discovered near Ramsgate in Kent, in 2001 by a retired electrician Cliff Bradshaw, the gold cup was valued at £250,000 at that time. It was thought to have been buried for approximately 3,600 years.

The Hoxne Hoard

The largest cache of Roman gold and silver coins (15,000 in total) ever discovered on British soil also included rings, chains and bracelets, buried in the early 5th century. Eric Lawes, a retired gardener, received a £1.75m reward for the 1992 find.

Viking Cemetery

Detectorist Peter Adams found two copper brooches in Cumbria in 2004 which led archaeologists to the bodies of four men and two women dating from the 10th century, alongside weapons, spurs, jewellery and a drinking horn. On its discovery, it was hailed as England's only known Viking burial ground.

The Winchester Hoard

A kilo of delicately crafted gold brooches and necklaces thought to date from the first century BC was discovered near Winchester in 2000 by retired florist Kevan Halls. It earned him and the landowner £350,000.

Viking Silver

A twisted silver rod, 21 bracelets and a single heavy silver ingot was found in the remains of an old lead box by Steve Reynoldson in a field in Cheshire. He and the landowner shared a £28,000 reward.

Gold Sword Hilt With Garnets

Last month, the British Museum acquired a 7th-century gold sword hilt with a pommel studded with large garnets after a metal detectorist took it wrapped in kitchen roll paper to his local finds liaison officer.

The detectorist is expected to share the £125,000 reward with the landowner.