Miffed Arkies Due To 'Digger' and 'American Diggers'

"Historic artifacts can bring in big bucks. Show likes 'Diggers' on the National Geographic channel or Spike TV's 'American Diggers' document the hunt for prized artifacts.

But some archaeologists are standing up against these shows. They say the techniques used on the shows to dig up artifacts ends up destroying more history. They also feel these artifacts should be preserved, not dug up for profit.

With his metal detector by his side Robert Compton has uncovered dozens of Civil War artifacts.

'I've uncovered everything from mini balls, to cannon balls, buttons, bullets, buckles,' said Compton."

Read more HERE.

A nice video is aired with the news article on the jump!

Just more arkies in an uproar regarding these shows... share your thoughts by commenting below!

Seeking History with TFTHC

"Larry Koch said finding buried treasure is as simple as discovering history under his feet, he said.

'When you find a silver coin coming out of the ground looking like it had just been dropped, those are my favorite moments,' Koch said.

Koch, former president and current member of Three Forks Treasure Hunting Club, was on hand Saturday at Three Rivers Museum for demonstrations and workshops about treasure hunting with metal detectors."

Read more HERE.

The Rewards of Diggin' in The Dirt

"There's an old adage that says 'gold is where you find it,' and that's certainly an apropos sentiment for a guy like Mick Burney.

Gold, silver, bronze or brass, Burney is apt to find it as he runs his trusty metal detector over the grounds at places like Greencastle's Robe-Ann Park.

On Friday afternoon, a sunny, almost 60-degree January day, Burney was out enjoying his hobby, getting some fresh air and pocketing some loose change.

Stopping along the old sidewalk that borders the bandshell area to the north, Burney's metal detector beeped and he dropped to his knees with a handheld detection gadget and hand trowel. Digging about eight inches deep right next to the sidewalk, Burney finally pulled a rusty six-inch piece of wire out of the dirt."

Read more HERE.

Image Credit: Banner Graphic

Under the Sand of St. Augustine

"Bob Spratley has a lot of secrets.

He knows where to find 20 shipwrecks around St. Augustine, he can find gold and silver buried beneath the sands of local beaches, and he discovered one of the sites of the nation’s most notorious slaughters.

'He found the Matanzas site, the massacre site,' said John Powell, living history interpreter at the Fountain of Youth. 'Bob is beyond a metal detectorist. Bob is touched by God.'"

Read more HERE.

Image Credit: Daron Dean / The St. Augustine Record

Roman "Cathouse" Token

"An amateur archeologist out walking along the River Thames with his metal detector discovered a rare and unique coin believed to be about 2,000 years old.

Regis Cursan, 37, discovered the long-hidden bronze token (described as 'spintria') in the mud near Putney Bridge, West London, at low tide. The spintria, believed by experts to be a token used in ancient Roman brothels, depicts two people in a sex act.

According to the Daily Mail, historians believe it is the first token of its type to be found in Britain."

Read more HERE.

Image Credit: Museum of London

UK Boys Dig Up Silver Ring

"An amazing archaeological find was unearthed in Sleaford by a pair of teenagers – one of whom had never used a metal detector before.

Philip Ingram-Jannetta, 15, and 17-year-old Lee Partridge had only been hunting for treasure for five minutes when they unearthed the large ornate 16th century silver gilt finger ring buried three inches under the surface.

The ring, which bears the initials I.S. on a hexagonal bezel, was probably used as the official seal of a wealthy local landowner and designed to fit over the gloved finger of the wearer, perhaps while riding."


Read more HERE.


Image credit: Lincolnshire Echo

Bronze Age Gold Popped in UK

"A Gainsborough metal detecting enthusiast unearthed a rare piece of Bronze Age gold while searching a field near the town, an inquest in Lincoln was told last week.

The 4,000 year old strip of decorated gold is the first of its type to have been found in Lincolnshire and experts have described it as an important find.

John Bennett of Claremont Street, Gainsborough, found the item in July this year while checking out a ploughed field in the Corringham area."

Read more HERE.

Image Credit: The Guardian

Norwich UK Finds

"A medieval silver brooch and a Bronze Age collection of axe heads were among the items declared treasure at an inquest held in Norwich.

In total, the tales of six groups of valuable artefacts from ages past and how they were found were told at yesterday’s inquest.

Among the hoard was a collection of 14 socketed axes, which were disturbed by machine from their site of rest on land near Aylsham, the owner of which is Lord Walpole.

The axes all date to the Ewart Park metalwork phase reaching back further than 800BC, and were discovered in March by Robert and James Alston who were using a metal detector at the time."

Read more HERE.

FL Man Denied Pursuit of Treasure

"A would-be treasure hunter searching for pirate gold can't dig at a Palm Beach County park, county officials decided Thursday.

Concerns about disturbing a historic site — and the possibility of metal detector-wielding copycats flocking to county parks wanting to dig — prompted the county to quash plans for the dig at DuBois Park in Jupiter.

Just last week, the county was working on a proceeds-sharing deal with a local man who proposed a small dig to find out what was setting off his metal detectors at the park.

The size and location of the unknown buried object, as well as the history of the area, convinced him it was a chest of riches, possibly buried hundreds of years ago by shipwreck survivors or even pirates passing the Palm Beach County coast."

Read more HERE.

Gold Ring in UK Saved from the Dirt

"A metal detection enthusiast scouring the soil around Thurcroft unearthed a 14th century gold ring studded with a ruby and an emerald, an inquest heard.

Metal finishing plant worker Paul McEvoy, 44, found the medieval finger ring just six inches beneath the surface.

He had been using his metal detector to search a stubble field in Thurcroft"


Read more HERE.