Treasure Tools & Recovery Basics

Follow all land-access, detecting, excavation, and reporting rules. Obtain permission before entering or searching property.

1) Start with Site Research

• Confirm access: Identify the owner or managing agency and get explicit permission.
• Study change: Compare historic maps, aerial imagery, paths, shorelines, gathering places, and demolished structures.
• Plan your search: Divide the site into lanes and record covered ground so promising areas can be revisited.

2) Build a Practical Tool Kit

• Detector with a coil suited to the terrain and target density
• Handheld pinpointer for locating a target inside the plug or spoil
• Non-marring digging tool, finds pouch, gloves, and waste pouch
• Soft brush, small containers, labels, and a phone or camera for documentation

3) Isolate the Target

Sweep from two directions and shorten each pass as the signal becomes clearer. In dense iron, reduce sweep speed and use a smaller coil when available. Re-scan the hole, plug, and spoil separately before moving on.

4) Recover and Document Carefully

• Cut the smallest practical plug, protect roots, and restore the surface when finished.
• Do not aggressively clean an unfamiliar object; brushing or chemicals can destroy evidence and value.
• Photograph significant finds in place, record location and context, and report items when required.
• Pack out sharp metal and other trash uncovered during the search.

Field Exercise

Create a small test garden using modern coins and harmless iron at known depths. Practice cross-sweeping, pinpointing, clean plug recovery, and complete site restoration.