Treasure Hunting

As always, the friends behind TreasureHunting.com watch for news of unique treasure finds worldwide. Despite having only lived and treasure hunted in America, we envy the metal detectorists across the big-pond with their rich history that goes back thousands of years, through so many civilizations. And today we stumbled upon an article that makes us want to grab our detectors and hop on a plane to Europe now more than ever!

In north-east England, North Yorkshire to be exact, a metal detectorist found and recovered a frightening little object. Made of copper, and depicting the face of a “wild, violent and drunken female nymph” this find might have creeped us out at first. But thank goodness our fellow treasure hunter hung onto the little female figurine because it was identified and purchased by the Yorkshire Museum as a rare 2,000 year old Roman lamp!

Apparently only a handful of these lamps have ever been discovered in Britain and this one is in “brilliant” condition. The frightening head is thought to be that of a “Maenad” which translates to “raving ones,” who, in Greek and Roman mythology were the drunken, violent worshippers of Dionysus - God of mystery, wine and intoxication. Museum officials say it was common for Roman lamps to show the Maenad figures, as it was an example of what not to let yourself become.

If you had to create an object out of metal to warn future generations about “what not to let yourself become” - what would you make? For us, a violent, drunken nymph is a good place to start…

See the original article as listed in The Press here.

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The differences between a hobby metal detectorist and a professional archaeologist have long been a heated topic of discussion for both parties. But I recently came across the uplifting story of metal detectorist Peter Hyams and his quest for professional help unearthing “one of the most spectacular Iron Age finds ever made in Britain.”

In Current Archaeology.co.uk, Independent Archaeologist John Winterburn details the story of the Chiseldon Cauldrons found outside the village of Chiseldon. Peter was metal detecting a field he had been over many times before when he discovered twelve buried cauldron’s - vessels with some iron rings and thin sheets of green and corroded bronze. His first reaction was to post a “plea for help on the Britarch email list,” but he was shocked at the negative response from several of the members. Knowing that he had found something worth preserving properly, Peter insisted on doing the right thing: getting advice and help from archaeologists.

After months of talking to professionals and vying for resources, all twelve of the cauldrons were properly excavated by several very determined, professional archaeologists and Peter himself. John Winterburn recalls “The cauldrons were jammed into the pit, and it was a problem to know which to remove first: it was essential to take them out of the ground in the reverse order to that in which they had been deposited – both to minimize any damage and to understand the sequence. A space was cleared for someone to work inside the pit – to stand in the place last occupied by the person who had arranged the cauldrons 2,000 years before.”

My question is: What would you have done?

Archaeologists and Hobby Metal Detectorists often clash and differ on their opinions of recovering artifacts. Would you have diligently sought out the help of a professional who may not take you seriously?

Peter Hyames did, and the history books are better for it.

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We know, we know….. we’ve been absent for awhile. We apologize for being gone, but we’re back now!

We came across an interesting story about two friends that have been metal detecting together for 15 years. They were out one evening, and came discovered what they thought was a button. Turns out it was a Maryland penny worth $41,000!

I don’t want to find a gold coin. I wish I could find one of those rare coins that you don’t see everyday.

Head over and read the full metal detecting story at kellyco. It’s a great story and told by the people that found the coin.

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This is one of those stories you hear, and think to yourself, “Why didn’t that happen to me?”
A 16th Century Djurhamn sword was found by a man and his metal detector on August 30th, and now they’ve gathered a team and have managed to excavate it. The sword was found around the Harbour of the Sheaf Kings. It was buried in heavy vegetation, and the point of the blade was wedged between the roots of a large hazel bush.

Nils Drejholt of the Royal Armoury tells me that it’s an early-16th century weapon, unusually designed but similar in details to the so-called rikssvärden, “swords of the realm”, ceremonial weapons commissioned by King Gustaf I.

From what I can tell, they will be bring the sword to a conservator. For the full story, and additional photos, continue reading Djurhamn Sword Excavated.

Seeing this amazing find made us wonder what big items our readers have discovered. We’d love to hear about your biggest find - tell us about it in the comments.

Technorati Tags: find, metal detector, treasure, sword

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Here are two photos of scrap silver and coins found recently by flickr user daviddrummond46 with a Garrett Ace 150 metal detector.

Have you found something recently you want the world to see? Let us know, and we’ll share it for you.

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