Finding permission to metal detect is one thing. Finding productive land is another.
Many detectorists spend countless hours walking fields with little success, while others consistently uncover coins, artefacts and historically significant finds. The difference often comes down to research.
Learning how to research land before you step into the field can dramatically increase your chances of success. Whether you're searching for hammered coins, Roman artefacts, military items or lost jewellery, understanding the history of the land beneath your feet is one of the most valuable skills a detectorist can develop.
Why Research Matters
Metal detectors can only find what's in the ground. If there was little or no historical activity on a site, even the most advanced detector will struggle to produce worthwhile finds.
Research helps you:
- Identify areas of historical activity
- Understand how land was used over time
- Locate potential habitation sites
- Find old footpaths, markets and settlements
- Increase your chances of finding older coins and artefacts
- Make better use of your detecting time
A few hours spent researching can save days of wandering unproductive ground.
Start with Historic Maps
Historic maps are one of the most useful research tools available to detectorists.
Comparing old maps with modern satellite imagery can reveal:
- Lost settlements
- Former farm buildings
- Old roads and tracks
- Victorian and medieval field systems
- Areas that have since been developed or disappeared
Maps from different periods can show how a landscape has changed over hundreds of years and often highlight locations where people once gathered.
Pay particular attention to features that no longer exist today, as these can often be hotspots for finds.
Research Local History
Understanding the history of an area provides valuable clues about what may still be hidden beneath the soil.
Useful questions to ask include:
- Was the area occupied during Roman times?
- Were there medieval villages nearby?
- Did any battles take place locally?
- Were there fairs, markets or gathering places?
- Has the land been farmed continuously for centuries?
- Were there old manor houses or estates nearby?
Local history books, archives and online historical resources can often reveal information that isn't visible on maps alone.
Look for Lost Villages and Settlements
Deserted Medieval Villages (DMVs) are among the most sought-after locations for many detectorists.
These villages were abandoned for various reasons, including:
- The Black Death
- Economic decline
- Changes in farming practices
- Enclosure of land
Even if no buildings remain above ground, evidence of past habitation often survives beneath the surface.
Common indicators include:
- Earthworks
- Uneven ground
- Building platforms
- Hollow ways
- Historic map references
Sites of former occupation can produce a wide variety of finds from different periods.
Use Aerial Photography and Satellite Imagery
Modern aerial imagery can reveal subtle clues that aren't obvious at ground level. Google Earth is particularly good for this.
Look out for:
- Crop marks
- Soil marks
- Ancient trackways
- Settlement patterns
- Earthworks
- Ridge and furrow systems
Differences in crop growth can sometimes indicate buried walls, ditches or foundations.
Many significant archaeological sites were first identified from the air.
Follow Old Routes and Footpaths
People have always travelled, traded and gathered.
Historic routes often produce excellent finds because items were regularly lost along them.
Potential areas include:
- Old footpaths
- Coaching routes
- Roman roads
- River crossings
- Bridges
- Market approaches
- Ferry crossings
Where people moved, things were lost.
Understand the Landscape
The shape of the land can often reveal where people preferred to live and work.
Historically, settlements were commonly found:
- On elevated ground
- Near fresh water sources
- Along river valleys
- Close to transport routes
- Near fertile farmland
By understanding why people settled in certain locations, you can begin identifying promising areas before ever setting foot on the land.
Speak to Landowners
Farmers and landowners often possess valuable local knowledge that cannot be found online.
They may know about:
- Old building locations
- Previous discoveries
- Former footpaths
- Historic events
- Areas where artefacts have been found before
Building good relationships with landowners can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to additional permissions.
Keep Records of Your Finds
Research doesn't stop once you begin detecting.
Keeping detailed records can help build a picture of activity across a permission.
Record:
- Find locations
- GPS coordinates
- Dates
- Soil conditions
- Depths
- Types of finds
Over time, patterns often emerge that can help identify productive areas and previously unknown hotspots.
Don't Ignore Modern History
Many detectorists focus solely on Roman and medieval history, but more recent periods can also produce fascinating finds.
Victorian and twentieth-century sites may reveal:
- Coins
- Military items
- Tokens
- Badges
- Jewellery
- Everyday artefacts
Every item recovered tells part of the story of the land.
Combining Research and Detecting
The most successful detectorists rarely rely on luck alone.
By combining:
- Historic maps
- Local history
- Aerial imagery
- Landscape analysis
- Landowner knowledge
- Careful record keeping
you can significantly improve your chances of finding historically important coins and artefacts.
The next great discovery isn't necessarily on a new permission. It could be on land you already have access to, waiting for you to uncover the clues that others have missed.
Recording Important Finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS)
Metal detecting is not just about recovering finds; it is also about preserving history. Many of the most important discoveries made by detectorists have helped archaeologists and historians better understand Britain's past.
If you discover an item that may be of archaeological significance, it is important to have it recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). The scheme records archaeological objects found by members of the public and helps build a nationwide database of finds that can be used for research and education.
Recording your finds creates a permanent record of where they were discovered and can provide valuable information about past settlements, trade routes and activity within an area. In some cases, individual finds recorded with PAS have led to the identification of previously unknown archaeological sites.
If you believe you have discovered an item that may qualify as Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996, you are legally required to report it through the correct channels.
By recording significant finds, detectorists play an important role in protecting and expanding our understanding of Britain's history for future generations.
Final Thoughts
Research is one of the most powerful tools available to any detectorist. The more you understand the history of the land, the better your chances of making meaningful discoveries.
Before your next outing, spend some time studying maps, reading local history and looking for clues hidden within the landscape. The extra effort can transform an average permission into a site full of potential.
Remember, successful metal detecting starts long before you switch on your detector.
Useful Links
Google Earth - https://earth.google.com
Side by Side Old Maps - https://www.nls.uk
Lidar Finder - https://lidarfinder.com
Archiuk - https://www.archiuk.com
The UK Treasure Act - https://finds.org.uk/treasure
Your Local FLO - https://finds.org.uk/contacts