New Permission - Pedigree Site

[Emily]

Background: I am always on the search for possible new land nearby. There’s a lot about and I prefer not to have to travel too far. The issue is (and I’m sure many of you have also experienced this) that there are a few detecting groups who seem to have collected a lot of land for their digs, so it’s not available unless you attend one. Usually this isn’t a problem as some people are unable to get permissions of their own, and this gives them a great opportunity to get out. However, this seems to be a good proportion of the land around me.

Anyway, by lucky coincidence, I saw a post on a local Facebook chat discussing people trespassing on land for walks during lockdown and noticed a comment from a farmer nearby. I asked if I could message him, and he agreed. Having spoken to him via messenger, we met on his farm and said that he would give me permission and sign my contract as I was an individual detectorist. He doesn’t like groups. He doesn’t trust them to stay where they’re allowed. Especially as the land has this amazing structure smack bang in the middle of it. Within the land holds the remains of an 11thC motte and bailey castle which is a scheduled monument.

Because of this, the landowner gave me a map loosely marked with areas I was able to venture and areas to stay away from. Having asked if I could come for a search, he said the land was seeded, but to help myself. The land consists of an estimated 600 acres.

So I ventured out yesterday to the new permission. I was very excited as, suggested by the title, it’s a site which on paper has great pedigree.

Kitted up and pocketing my map I set off hoping to find something amazing.

Once I arrived, I parked up in the field I told the landowner I was going to visit. About 20mins into the search a car pulled up and the landowner realised it was me. ‘Oh it’s you, I was about to give you a right bollocking’ said the landowner. I’ve never been more relieved to be me. Haha. He doesn’t abide trespassers. He wished me well and said he expected gold. We obviously have a deep connection as that was also on my mind, along with hammereds, jewellery and buried chests containing many glorious things.

(KEY POINT: The landowner initially said that he believed it had been undetected, but having asked again, he says he doesn’t know....)

Having expected or hoped for wonderful and exciting artefacts, the reality was very different.

No1. The ground was rock solid so I looked like I was on a pogo-stick trying to get my shovel into the earth.

No2. It could be because of the dryness that I was getting very odd signals. I was digging everything except obvious iron, just incase, but all I ended up finding was a tonne of lead, bits of can, tiny bits of unknown metal and bits of what look like slag.

The only two potentially interesting finds were a couple of buttons (one broken), some pottery, and what could be 1/2 of a little crotal bell, but could easily be something else.

Should I be concerned that this land could’ve been stripped of its finds long ago...or keep an open mind and persevere....??

[figgis]

You're not going to get a true picture of the field from one visit and need to give it a good few more swings before anything starts to become clear.

Keep pegging away and hopefully you'll have better conditions in which to search it.

[the-roman]

wet conditions will also help. keep going as it sounds like loads of history, you just gotta walk over it

[Dave The Slave]

Just keep at it,Emily.
You never know what`s there until you have covered everywhere and then you may have missed it.
Good Luck,
Dave.

[shaggybfc]

If you're finding that lead, I'd say the area is pretty much undetected. The dry ground will make it harder to work. This rain will make it come alive,,,,, if we get enough to penetrate more than the first few mm.
keep going, look at the research, there'll be routes in and out of the monument area that will surely be productive

[Charles Abbeyville]

My thoughts are, that lead has come from somewhere, someone has been using it which usually means an old site (usually). So, give it a few visits, the best finds are always unexpected. Good luck.

[HolzHammer]

You're not going to get a true picture of the field from one visit and need to give it a good few more swings before anything starts to become clear.

Keep pegging away and hopefully you'll have better conditions in which to search it.

couldn't agree more... and I love:

"No1. The ground was rock solid so I looked like I was on a pogo-stick trying to get my shovel into the earth."

that's a brilliant image!!!

Good Luck with it - I hardly ever get a good feel first time out on a new bit if that's any consolation.

[Emily]

You're not going to get a true picture of the field from one visit and need to give it a good few more swings before anything starts to become clear.

Keep pegging away and hopefully you'll have better conditions in which to search it.

Very true and wise.

[Emily]

If you're finding that lead, I'd say the area is pretty much undetected. The dry ground will make it harder to work. This rain will make it come alive,,,,, if we get enough to penetrate more than the first few mm.
keep going, look at the research, there'll be routes in and out of the monument area that will surely be productive

Why would the presence of lead give the impression of an undetected site?? is it because it gives a good signal so is always dug??

[Easylife]

Well done on getting the new permission. You will know when you find the hotspots, no doubt we will too! Take a look at it on the tithe map.
Not a crotal bell but a broken furniture fitting.

[Emily]

couldn't agree more... and I love:

"No1. The ground was rock solid so I looked like I was on a pogo-stick trying to get my shovel into the earth."

that's a brilliant image!!!

Good Luck with it - I hardly ever get a good feel first time out on a new bit if that's any consolation.

Well if anything, I want to leave a good image in people’s minds.

I may have to get the landowner to show me on the land where I am and am not allowed to go. I don’t want to get in trouble by venturing in an area that wasn’t appropriately marked on his map.

With such a history, I am hopeful that something is there, or has been missed if it’s been searched before.

[Emily]

Well done on getting the new permission. You will know when you find the hotspots, no doubt we will too! Take a look at it on the tithe map.
Not a crotal bell but a broken furniture fitting.

Where do I find Tythe Maps?? Thank you.

Ah damn.

[Easylife]

Where do I find Tythe Maps?? Thank you.

Ah damn.

They will be at your main library. Also available online at The Genealogist I think?
They usually date to about mid 1700's.

[Reiver]

Keep at it Emily, success will come ,in time.
Reiver.

[DaveP]

Once I arrived, I parked up in the field I told the landowner I was going to visit. About 20mins into the search a car pulled up and the landowner realised it was me. ‘Oh it’s you, I was about to give you a right bollocking’ said the landowner. I’ve never been more relieved to be me. Haha. He doesn’t abide trespassers.

When you get the chance, or make the chance, ask him what he would like you to do if you see anyone on his land. I'm not suggesting for one moment you confront people but making a note or taking a picture of 'goings on' could be an option; or would he like a text or a call. It's a good opportunity to build a rapport with the owner as many landowners are only too glad of an extra pair of eyes on their ground. And, it can help to build a long term and possibly productive relationship.