3-year-old James Hyatt unearths £2.5m gold locket on his first metal detecting expedition (photos)
3-year-old James Hyatt was 5 minutes into his first ever attempt at metal detecting when he discovered a 16th century gold reliquary pendant (used for holding religious relics) worth £2.5million at a field in Hockley, Essex, UK.
(dailymail.co.uk)
Mother-daughter treasure hunters find $885K gold bird with metal detector
Bonnie Schubert and her mother have hunted treasure along Florida's coast for decades, usually ending up with fishing lures and beer cans. But in August 2010, their metal detector hit a 22-carat solid gold bird.
(nbc-2.com)
Spanish armada sets sail to lay claim to hundreds of wrecks before US firm Odyssey
Spain has sent an armada into waters around its coasts to locate and lay claim to shipwrecks to stave off US marine exploration firm Odyssey - accused of collecting Spanish treasures from the seabed.
(guardian.co.uk)
Treasure hunter finds rare antique: a Roman bronze helmet with face-mask
A metal detector hobbyist in Cumbria has discovered a Roman bronze helmet complete with face-mask - one of only 3 of its kind to be found in Britain. The helmet would have been worn, with colourful streamers attached, as a mark of excellence by Roman soldiers at sport parades. The helmet is estimated to fetch £300,000 at Christie's Antiquities auction. The Crosby Garrett Helmet has been named after the hamlet in Cumbria where it was discovered by the treasure hunter. Christie's described the find as an "extraordinary example of Roman metalwork at its zenith" and "the discovery of a lifetime" for a metal detectorist.
(bbc.co.uk)
A Viking silver ingot discovered using a metal detector in the Isle of Man
A Viking silver ingot which was discovered using a metal detector in the Isle of Man has been declared treasure trove. An inquest ruled that the 20gram ingot, found by John Crowe in October 2009 in a field in Andreas, is the property of the Queen, the Lord of Mann. Crowe, who may get a reward, reported his find to the Manx Museum. Archaeologists think ingot is 87% silver and dates back from between 950 and 1075 AD.
(bbc.co.uk)
Detectorist found the only intact Roman lantern made out of bronze ever discovered in Britain
A metal detecting enthusiast has found what is thought to be the only intact Roman lantern made out of bronze ever discovered in Britain. Danny Mills, 21, made the discovery in a field near Sudbury in Suffolk. The object, a rare example of Roman craftsmanship, has been given to Ipswich Museum. In the autumn of 2009, Mills, a metal detector hobbyist, found a large bronze object whilst metal detecting: "It was an amazing feeling. It took a while to dig down to see anything and once we found it, we had to go really carefully around it to get it out of the ground. It took the best part of an hour."
(bbc.co.uk)
UK Metal Detector website to improve co-operation with landowners
A website: fielddetector.co.uk - created by metal detecting enthusiast Richard White - is seeking landowners interested in allowing detectorists on to their land to register on the site. Landowners can provide details of the accessible land and any potential fees for access. At present some landowners charge for access while some only require a code of conduct to be observed.
(fielddetector.co.uk)
Treasure hunter earns £500,000 after his metal detector reveals 52,000 Roman coins
A treasure hunter will have a £500,000 payday after locating Britain's largest collection of Roman coins. Dave Crisp, 63, found the hoard of 52,000 coins, which date from the third century, buried in a field near Frome, Somerset. Crisp had spent 22 years pursuing his hobby, touring fields with his metal detector before hitting the jackpot in April 2010. "The significant thing for me is that I am the person who has made the biggest discovery of Roman coins ever found in Britain. I will keep working until I retire next year and will definitely continue with my hobby."
(dailymail.co.uk)