There’s Gold In Those Fields: Farmers, Metal Detectorists & Treasure Hoards
Treasure hunter looking for treasure – Download this photo by Evgeniy Kozlov on Unsplash
If you think about the long history of humans (approximately 300,000 years!) then it will be no surprise that the earth we walk on is a literal time machine of building footings, discarded items, lost coins, bones from an old chicken dinner, and best of all – treasure hoards.
Much of these findings are discovered by archaeologists working to research data, some are found when erecting new buildings or roads, and some are even found on river foreshores by mudlarks. But many are found by amateur metal detectorists indulging their hobby.
People can metal detect almost anywhere, like beaches for example, but one of the most popular places to detect is on farmland.
But this can sometimes lead to problems because the detectorist may not gain permission from the farmer and not understand if they are disturbing any potential crops or leaving the land in a dangerous state for animals. Also, the landowner is well within their right to say no anyway.
On the whole, metal detectorists are a respectful tribe who get permission from the land owner before beginning their search. But as with most groups, there are some bad eggs, and this can not only leave a bad feeling between them and the landowner, but they can also find themselves in hot legal water.
Wrong side of the law
It depends on the country, but in most cases permission is required by law to carry out metal detecting. For example, in the United Kingdom, all land is owned by either the Crown, local authorities, or privately, and if there is a failure to gain permission before accessing land then the risk of arrest and prosecution is quite high if caught.
In France, it’s even more difficult to metal detect without the relevant permissions. Not only is written consent by the landowner required, but also local prefecture permission as per the French Heritage Code:
“No one may use equipment for the detection of metallic objects, for the purpose of research of monuments and objects that may be of interest to prehistory, history, art or archaeology, without first having obtained an administrative authorization issued according to the applicant’s qualifications and the nature and modalities of the search."
This legislation is in place to protect areas of archeological interest from being ruined by unscrupulous or unwitting detectorists who either do not care or understand how important the objects found and their context in the land are.
The UK has in place the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which is run by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales as a way for members of the public to report their archaeological finds.
They also have the Treasure Act of 1996 whereby a single object over 300 years old, that is not a coin, and is at least 10% precious metal must be declared to the authorities. Prehistoric items, groups of precious objects, and larger amounts of coins must also be declared.
People can and do get prosecuted for not following the law. In 2023, two metal detectorists were jailed for trying to sell Anglo-Saxon coins from an undeclared UK hoard. After being found guilty, Roger Pilling and Craig Best were sentenced to five years and two months in prison each for their part in the crime.
The undeclared treasure was part of the £3 million Herefordshire Hoard and is significant in the history of Alfred the Great.
The good side of metal detecting
By far the best thing about metal detecting finds is that they can help us to understand so much more about our country’s past. Finds give vital clues and a tangible context to what is known from the written sources.
When metal detectorists and landowners forge good relationships and the detectorist has written permission to search their land, then a rewarding and sometimes fruitful alliance can be had.
The benefits for landowners having a detectorist search their farmland include learning more about the history of their land, a boost in security by having a human presence on far-flung fields, and the potential for a real treasure windfall.
For example, in the UK if the objects found are declared as treasure then the Treasure Evaluation Committee provides a value for the items found, and a reward of that sum is split between the finder and the landowner.
But what sort of treasure, beyond the odd coin, musket ball, or horse bell is there to find on farmland? Here is just an example of the potential treasure out there…
Staffordshire Hoard by David Rowan, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (edited)
Staffordshire Hoard
In July 2009, metal detectorist Terry Herbert discovered what turned out to be a £3.3 million hoard of Anglo-Saxon treasure in a field near Hammerwich, Staffordshire
3,500 items of precious gold and silver objects that had been exquisitely worked and inlaid with garnets were found. Items included the Staffordshire helmet, sword hilt covers, crosses, and other military items and may have been buried when Vikings were raiding the Kingdom of Mercia.
The value of the hoard was split betwe3en Terry Herbert and landowner Fred Johnson. The collection was purchased by and cared for by the Birmingham Museums Trust and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent.
Vindelev Hoard
In 2021, a new detectorist, Ole Ginnerup Schytz, unearthed a huge Iron Age hoard in his friend’s field in Vindelev near Jelling, Denmark.
Almost 1kg of gold that had been buried in the earth for 1,500 years, including large and beautifully forged medallions with runes inscribed on them and a selection of Roman coins that had been turned into jewelry, were discovered.
The collection is important to the understanding of the early creation of Denmark and Viking society and is currently on display at Vejlemuseerne’s Viking Exhibition.
Saddle Ridge Hoard
In 2013 a hoard of 1,427 gold coins was discovered in Northern California by the landowners themselves, who wish to remain anonymous. Having found a rusting can on their property, they used a metal detector to discover another seven cans of coins.
The coins had a face value of $27,980 and were dated between 1847 and 1894. The collection of coins is now deemed to be worth $10 million and are being sold on Amazon with certificates of authenticity.
The origins of the hoard are shrouded in mystery with wild theories from bank heists to a treasure burial by Jesse James all in the mix.
Housing, cattle and Metal detectors by David Anstiss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It’s out there…
These are just a short selection of treasures that have been found on privately owned land. They provide a fascinating insight into the world of our ancestors and we can only imagine what other secrets the Earth holds.
By being respectful of one another and abiding by local laws, metal detectorists and farmers can discover the past together - not forgetting the possibility of a treasure windfall.