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Dannys Find Lights Up Rally

Danny Mills talks to John Winter


Photos supplied by John Mills

20-year old Danny Mills of Hornchurch in Essex was ecstatic after discovering a Roman lantern described by Suffolk FLO, Faye Minter, as an important and very rare archaeological find and the first almost complete example to be discovered in this country. She said that she had never seen one before. Previously, only fragments have been found from a few locations, including the Fishbourne Roman Palace in West Sussex and at Richborough Roman Fort near Sandwich in Kent, the first permanent Roman settlement in Britain. The importance of this find to the historical record cannot be underestimated. For example, the British Museum has eight examples of which only two are complete and all from high status villas in Pompeii. Ipswich museum suspect that Dannys lantern is most likely from an isolated burial, probably a cremation and investigations of the lantern and find spot continue. The local archaeological service was due to carry out a geophysical survey of the area and X-rays of the lantern and the clod of earth within will have been done by the time you read this article. What follows is Dannys own account of the discovery of his remarkable find: On Sunday 27 September, my Dad and I were kipping in the back of his van at a rally. It had been an uncomfortable night! Although it was a tad chilly when he woke me up for another days detecting, the

morning was bright and full of promise. Over a hasty breakfast, he informed me that he intended driving up to the Sunday fields with some mates. Now, Id spent a few hours previously on another field and found a little hot spot that produced a few Roman bronzes. I said Id stay put as I fancied trying my luck there again. So, off he went to meet up with friends and I eventually went to explore on my own. Alas, the signals were few and far between. In fact, by the time I reached my target area about half an hour later I only had two or three bits of lead dross to show for my efforts! Then my detector (an old Explorer XS) gave out a weak signal which I thought was most likely to be iron. Good signals were sparse and not expecting much, I dug out a spade of earth anyway, ran my coil expectantly over the hole and the signal seemed a little stronger. As the digging progressed, the sweet noise seemed to grow and grow in strength. Whilst engaged in this work, I glanced up and saw another detectorist walking towards me. I hadnt spoken to him before, but recognised him as Steve, one of my Dads friends. He remarked that I was digging very deep and I asked him if hed mind running his Goldmaxx over the target. He confirmed that it was a cracking signal so I started digging again, only this time with renewed energy and more conviction!

A couple of minutes later another detectorist came over and lent me a longer spade as I was struggling a bit. As I dug, my phone rang and it was Dad saying that there was a problem getting parked up on the new fields so they had decided to come back. I looked around and saw him coming towards me. At a depth of around 18 inches, I could see a piece of green wire or chain. By this time, other detectorists were on their knees peering into the hole; I was attracting quite a crowd. One remarked that it was an electric cable. Dad arrived and stared down looking very interested. When I told him it was my find, and looked very interesting, his face lit up. He picked up a spade and started to widen the hole. Then he got down on his hands and knees and, with Steves help, proceeded to pick and scoop away earth with bare hands until other detectorists arrived with smaller implements to carefully excavate whatever was in the hole. As more and more of the find was carefully exposed, onlooker and diggers alike became increasingly animated. I didnt have a clue what it was but I also felt really excited as the growing crowd of onlookers speculated as to what it could be. Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, Medievala bucket, urn? Once free, my Dad and Steve carefully lifted the object and placed it into a tray. Nobody was sure what it was. One or two people commented that it was shaped like a lantern, but nobody seriously suggested that it could actually be one.

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The tray was subsequently loaded onto the back of a truck, driven back to the campsite for others to see, and then stored in the farmhouse for overnight safe keeping. The rally organiser told us that he would contact the Finds Liaison Officer the following morning to arrange for someone to collect it. Dad and I stood in the field for a little while reflecting on what had just happened. I phoned my Mum and my girlfriend...Dad phoned Mum. We were both shaking. We made our way back to the campsite, stopping to talk to a few people along the way about what Id found. Dad was so excited and said he wasnt going to detect any more that day! When we got back to the site I logged onto the internet via my mobile phone. I typed in Roman Lantern and found very similar images from Pompeii, dated 1st century AD. I showed people and they were amazed and agreed that the pictures were very similar to the object I had found. Dad and I walked over to the farmhouse and the farmer kindly let us in to have another look at what I had found and it was taken outside in an effort to obtain some decent pictures. After we left the farmhouse we sat down and ate some lunch and then while Dad chose to sit in the warm sunshine talking to friends and re-living the mornings events

I went out to do a spot more detecting. I was rewarded with another Roman bronze and part of a brooch for my efforts! Id like to express my thanks to everybody who assisted in the recovery of this remarkable find. So, Dannys find, the only near complete example of a Roman lantern to be found in this country has attracted admiration and much comment. A fellow detectorist commented, I saw a young lad digging a very large hole, and thought he was optimistic judging by the way he appeared to be trying to return his Minelab to Australia! Well done. It just shows you shouldnt give up on really deep signals. Another said that Young Danny could teach a thing or two to those old-timers who thought they knew everything about detecting and wonders how many had walked over the find in the three days prior to its discovery. The lantern has been donated to the Ipswich Museum and Caroline McDonald, the Curator of Archaeology commented that the countrys foremost Roman researchers were queuing up to examine it. The object will now receive some remedial care to make it stable and conservation will probably start sometime in the Spring of 2010. Lets hope that when the lantern finally goes on permanent display, Young Danny

gets the recognition he deserves for making such an important and rare find! Incidentally, that was his Mum on the front cover of the October edition and his Dad is featured in this months Medley...family detecting success must be in the genes!

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by John Winter

Saxon Burial update


The last time I spoke to 56 year old Chris Bayson he had just returned from the Weekend Wanderers annual rally held at West Hanney in Oxfordshire. In his own words he was still buzzing, the dog was going frantic and he had just poured himself a cool and welcome pint of Yorkshire ale in an effort to relax. Chris and his partner Linda had expected that their long journey from Sherburn-in-Elmet to the Southern rally to last no more than three or four days, but there were special circumstances that meant it was going to be an extended visit...

Picture courtesy of Peter Welch

It had been a good rally for the pair so far. Chris had found ten Roman coins, an Anglo Saxon strap end, two Roman brooches and an Elizabethan hammered coin. On the last day he made a find that surpassed all his dreams. At a depth of over a foot he lifted a shovel of muck and as he threw it down, saw what looked like a large brooch. He showed the find to Linda who initially dismissed it as a tractor part. Chris knew different. Now quivering with excitement and

anticipation he investigated the hole further and saw bones. It was at this early stage he realised his discovery could be of national significance, so he called in the on-site archaeologists. He exclaimed, I cannot get my head round it yet...its a dream come true...unbelievable! Just shows all those deep signals are not beer cans! Of course, news of the find created great excitement and people came from all parts to have a look. Rally organiser Peter Welch was already announcing the fact that it was the

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biggest find hed had in over 20 years of organising WWs digs. On a preliminary examination of the brooch covered in gold gilt and studded with garnets and coral Anni Byard, the Finds Liaison Officer for Oxfordshire, said it probably belonged to royalty or somebody of considerable wealth. She went on to say, Its an important find with the burial site still intact. Well be able to get lots of important contextual information about the individual and learn more about the period. Finds like this dont come along very often!

Exhumation

The area was cordoned off and, because of the human burial, the local police were informed all standard practice. The site was protected and a Home Office licence applied for so archaeologists could carry out further investigations, hopefully on the Monday. The brooch was taken off-site for safe keeping and Chris and Linda were invited to stay on to witness developments.

Picture courtesy of Peter Welch

pots had been found. Being very fragile, they had to be lifted in blocks for subsequent X-ray examination so it may be some time before it is known what the pots contain. Work continued surveying the surrounding area.

The Rally

Further Developments

Picture courtesy of Peter Welch

The farmer said that he was over the moon with the discovery, which would offer valuable information about the history of the area and he didnt believe anything of that nature would be found in one of his fields. It wasnt until the Tuesday that the painstaking work began to uncover the skeleton. A spindle whorl and coloured glass beads were found whilst exhuming the body suggesting that it might be a female. The skeleton was complete and very much intact apart from the skull which had been damaged by the plough. The Saxon grave excavation was nearing completion on Thursday. Below the skeleton and between the knees, two 8 diameter

The FLO, Anni Byard, informs me that the skeleton was lifted and will be examined by an osteologist to determine the sex and age to see if there are any bone defects that may indicate the cause of death. They currently believe that the remains are female (because of the grave goods) and she was about 25 years of age. Anni was able to confirm that the goods found in the grave consisted of two handmade ceramic pots, an iron knife broken in two, a spindle whorl and two shards of blue glass. The pots were lifted complete with the soil remaining within them and will be sampled and analysed to see if there are any organic remains that may indicate foodstuffs buried with the body. Soil samples were also taken from the area which may yield more elements of the brooch like loose garnets etcetera. Under the terms of the Treasure Act, the brooch will be going to the British Museum for expert analysis. If it is confirmed as treasure then the other grave goods (except the skeleton) will also be classed as treasure. Over the next few months the analysis of the soils, skeleton and other finds will take place and a report written for Oxfordshire County Council. A small grant made available by the PAS will pay for the bone and soil analysis to take place.

This report was originally going to be about the rally and I hope to bring you an account of that dig at a future date. For the moment, that has been eclipsed by Chris stunning find. Enough to say that I was pleased to be present on a superb WWs weekend and at a Swampage event in stark contrast to the one I attended last year when Peter Welch vowed that he would never organise another 3-day rally. Im pleased that he changed his mind. Congratulations also to Chris Bayson who was absolutely ecstatic with his discovery and never dreamt it would be something he might experience. Chris was using a recently re-furbished Minelab XS and started detecting about 14 years ago. Chris and Linda have recently joined the Down to Earth Club who detect in the Doncaster and Lincolnshire areas. And finally, my thanks go to Anni Byard for her help and co-operation throughout! Her first rally was at the ill-fated Wanderers Wantage Washout last year. This year will have restored her confidence in weekend events, I am sure!

Picture courtesy of Peter Welch

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Saving Somersets Heritage


By John Winter

Clues and discovery

Long term readers of The Searcher may be familiar with the names of Mike Pittard and his partner Anne Laverty, who were first featured on these pages in 1989 when Mike found a clay pot containing a massive hoard of over 22,500 Roman coins, but thats another story and one that has been well documented. Mike has been detecting since the early 70s and Anne joined him a decade later. The lucky couple have had many detecting successes since that time. You may think that nothing could surpass such a major find as the one mentioned, but after talking with Mike, their latest discovery is down on the list as one of the favourites and of which he is most proud. The story starts here Anne began by telling me about a field they had been searching for many years. During their first outing Mike noticed building rubble and both were hopeful that there might

be a hammered coin or two waiting to be discovered, but they were disappointed. On venturing to the other end of the field they found several Roman coins and concentrated searching in that area every time they visited over the next 15 years. One particular year when Mike was passing the site, he noticed that it had been rough ploughed, so decided to walk over it. At the far end he was surprised to discover a large lump of tesserae. Mike knew that the inch-size squares of greystone tesserae were generally used for pathways in Roman times, and was keen to investigate further. At that time, the farmer didnt realise the importance of the find but gave permission for Mike to dig a small exploratory test hole. However, at this stage, local archaeologists didnt seem too interested and Mike never got around to making the investigation. Every subsequent year they were seeing evidence just lying in the

topsoil and suspected that whatever lay underneath was being slowly destroyed. Naturally, they were concerned. In the Spring of 2008 the couple were out detecting and curiosity got the better of Mike and so dug a hole to see what was underneathat around a depth of 10 he came across an area of grey tesserae and immediately informed the farmer who arrived to help and scrape a small area of ground. The remaining soil was carefully brushed away. Anne was the first to notice that the colour of the tesserae had changed and she excitedly informed the others that she had found a blue, red and white mosaic, describing the flower and diamond patterns as fantastic! As you can imagine, the discovery gave the finders a buzz when they realised that they were the first to view in at least 1,600 years. Anne managed to take a couple of pictures before it started to rain.

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Calling in the experts

The farmer provided plastic sheeting and they carefully covered and marked the site then informed Bob Croft, the Somerset Chief Archeologist and expert on Roman mosaics. After looking at and considering the pictures, Bob had talks with the farmer and liaised with English Heritage. In the Autumn of 2008, a two-day geophysical test of the area was conducted by a specialist team. They carried out magnetometer and earth resistance surveys to define the extent of Roman activity and also advised on the potential threat from plough damage and unsupervised treasure hunting. To everyones shock and surprise, the survey revealed the presence of a large, aisled hall style Roman building containing a mosaic and apparently set within a more extensive system of angular ditched enclosures. An example of the sort of result revealed from the survey can be seen in figure 1.

Figure 1

The site of the find is near to the Fosse Way, a Roman road which is now the A303 and once one of the major routes of Roman Britain. Bob Croft said that the area was very popular in the Roman period and had been described as a 4th century millionaires row with over 80 villas. It must be remembered that any house of that period may be called a villa, which means farm in Latin, but the one found by Mike and Anne suggests that it is indeed the remains of a pretty high-status house of the rich, the centre of a farming estate, highly organised and employing large numbers of farm workers and servants.

Indeed, in terms of its size, the villa discovered by them is a good example of the above, has survived reasonably well and, can be considered one of the top twenty in the country, commented Bob Croft. He went on to say that it dated from the middle of the 4th century and very similar to the famous one found at the village of Lopen in 2001. He concluded, this is a very special find by Anne and Mike. The small book, Roman Mosaics in Somerset, edited by Bob Croft states that with the cutting of the tie with the rest of the Roman Empire in the early 5th century, the Romanised society and economy of the South West went into a long decline. When the villas were finally abandoned is unknown, but recent work by archaeologists has shown the continued occupation and agricultural use of at least parts of these buildings well into the 5th century and perhaps later. In the Autumn of 2009, locally based archaeologist Alan Graham, began the task of evaluating the area to establish the plan and alignment of the building, to establish its condition and to define the quality of preservation. I know that initially Anne and Mike were dismayed that only one lone archaeologist had been assigned to what looked like a mammoth task, but this wasnt to be a full scale dig to unearth a mosaic, but simply an evaluation. On the basis of Alans report and in consultations with the archaeological service, the landowner, English Heritage and others, I am given to understand that decisions will be made about the way forward and thus protecting the site. Alan is a veteran of as well as acting team leader on many rescue villa excavations in the area. He proved to be diligent, hardworking and a human cornucopia of useful information, especially on Roman Villas... as I was soon to discover!

Week 1 Willing helpers

After waiting patiently for the crop to be lifted and the friendly farmer to abstain from ploughing the surveyed area of the villa, work eventually started. Of course,

Sods Law had kicked in that week and it was decreed that the weather would be wet, windy and very uncomfortable and, by and large, it was to remain that way throughout the excavation. Nevertheless, Mike had arranged his annual two-week holiday to help the archaeologist in any way he could and the farmer brought along one of his machines to help extract tons of top soil. For the first three days our two men in the trench worked diligently with spade and trowel to reach the Roman walls and floor whilst Anne busied herself helping with the smaller tasks and shouting encouragement from the sidelines. The site was relatively hidden in the corner of a large field and safe from prying eyes, but I cannot help but wonder what the more observant villager had wondered what was going on especially when seeing two guys laboriously pushing a wheelbarrow and struggling with assorted digging paraphernalia over the rough muddy terrain of a ploughed field. Near the end of the week, Anne contacted me and extended an invite to witness the possible uncovering of the mosaic. My wife Lynda and I hurriedly arranged a cat-sitter, booked into a local hostelry and embarked on the long journey. When we finally reached our destination, I now think it was prescient of her to call in at the village shop to buy a pair of Marigolds and a couple of small brushes, but the purchase meant nothing to me at the time. The incessant and unrelenting rain had turned the set-aside into a quagmire. As we pulled to the field we saw Anne sheltering in her car waiting for us. We were shown the results of the 2008 archeological survey and pictures of a small mosaic fragment taken when Anne and Mike had first found the villa. It was all very exciting! However, Anne was just a little anxious as wed travelled some distance, and she feared that we might be disappointed as there was so little to see. After the ten minute trudge to the site in the corner of the field and viewing the 20 x 30 (approximately) trench, I was beginning to think she was right! www.thesearcher.co.uk March 2010

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Muddy trek

Lynda was keen to help and Alan gave her a small task brushing a section of emerging tesserae. Water was labouriously carted from the farmyard for the purpose, necessitating another long and muddy trek for Alan. Ironically, a cattle trough was later located at the corner of the field, so making the task easier.

It was thought that the mosaic currently being uncovered could be attributed to the Lindinis Group, so called after the Roman Name for Ilchester, the groups notional centre. At the time, all I basically knew about a mosaic is that it was a picture or pattern made from small cubes of stone or tile (tesserae). I was keen to learn where the Somerset craftsmen got the raw materials. Alan told me that blue-grey and white Lias limestone was the most common material used and easily obtainable from local sources. Indeed, I noticed some houses in the area built of soft-coloured blue Lias limestone with distinctive clay-tiled roofs. The red tesserae were made from fired clay tiles also shaped either by using a hammer and anvil or by using pliers.

What you can also clearly see from the pictures is that individual tesserae used in the mosaic varied in size. The larger type, about 30mm square, is employed in the coarse borders down to the much smaller 5mm square used for detailed figurative work.

Next day

The making of mosaics

I made a few notes and exchanged stories with Anne as the work slowly and painstakingly continued. The pattern magically beginning to appear was a distinctive geometric design, although a vase and flowers were later visible.

The following day my wife and I were at the field bright and early. It was still raining. She was excited and exhilarated just thinking about the work ahead. Her cleaning technique had been approved and she was raring to go. While Mike and Alan busied themselves uncovering walls and borders, Lynda concentrated on revealing a portion of the detailed figurative work. Anne and I radiated approval from the muddy sidelines! You will notice from the pictures that remains of walls and substantial stone foundations are in evidence. It was beginning to look as though this was a courtyard villa linked together by corridors, verandas or both. We began to wonder if there might also be a separate bath house with hypocaust nearby!

Alan shows Mike the cleaning technique

Alan explained that a layer of fine gravel was laid as a compact foundation. Then a layer of concrete with gravel or crushed tile or layers of lime mortar were added. The tesserae were embedded in a final layer of mortar and then the spaces between were grouted using a liquid mortar. The pattern

Geometric design

Nothing is known for certain about the craftsmen who created the mosaics for Somerset villas, or about the way the craft was organised. As they laboured, Alan was able to fill me in on some of the details. Evidently, archaeologists studying mosaics in Britain have identified distinctive styles and some scholars believe that mosaicists may have been largely itinerant, moving from villa to villa in response to commissions from wealthy patrons. Mosaics often share the same designs and motifs and such similarities have a geographical component.

Substantial stone foundations

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would then be marked out so the craftsmen could begin the painstaking task of laying the tesserae, a job taking several weeks to complete. Unfortunately that firm base can be seen to have experienced trauma in the past, for a medieval drainage ditch cuts straight through the site and can be seen in some of the pictures. I wonder if those earlier navvies had noticed or even cared about all the coloured bits of stone strewn about? At the end of a second day we made our way back home, amazed at what we had witnessed, feeling rather privileged that we had been invited, and rather sad to think that after detailed records had been made the mosaic would be covered over and the farmer will continue to sow, reap and plough like he had for years previously. Only this time, he would have more than an inkling of what lay just several inches beneath the soil.

the mosaic with sponges and water. You may discern from some of the pictures a twisted rope design. Roman mosaics are built up from standard patterns and the rope design, most often used in borders to frame other stylised elements is called guilloche.

There were also visitors on this day. Some came to look and wonder, but former FLO Naomi Payne now an Historic Environment Officer - turned up with a friend and both did sterling work uncovering and cleaning even more of the mosaic. The farmer brought his parents to take a look.

Week 2

But that wasnt the end. Unknown to me, another trench was started by Mike and Alan, adjacent to the one already investigated and the newer mosaic discovered promised to be even more interesting. This information was conveyed to us by an excited Anne, and she urged us to get back down there if we could.

Naomi and Lynda Rope design guilloche

Anne spent many hours on her hands and knees and uncovered a beautiful vase spilling water mosaic.

Alan teetered precariously on a flimsy 30 aluminum ladder to take overhead pictures using Anne and me as a steadying ballast, and even the sun made a very brief but welcome appearance.

Understanding the archaeology

General view

Initially, the priority had been to expose, clean and record the mosaic. Also, by careful cleaning to understand something of the building in which it lay. It was evident that in less than one week of intensive work by a single archaeologist and a couple of volunteers that objective hadnt been achieved. There was more work to be done! When we arrived on site, the heavy digging had been done. Lynda donned her rubber gloves and, taking instructions from the resident expert Alan, continued the slow, labourious, yet enjoyable task of cleaning

Our education on Roman mosaics continued with Alan telling us that the more elaborate designs would first be drawn out on the mortar base, Alternatively, panels might be fabricated in a workshop where the design was sketched in a tray of fine sand. The tesserae were then laid face up and pieces of linen cloth glued onto the surface, using a flour and water paste. When the glue was set, the panel could be transported and set in place. Washing removed the glue and the tesserae were then grouted.

Knowledge of the local community is considered significant and important. One of Bob Crofts roles is to publicise the county and its archaeology and to enhance public understanding. Archaeology is a great fascination to a lot of people so bearing that in mind and on the final day, the local primary school children were invited to view the newly uncovered mosaic. What an experience for them and one which they will never forget. In the wider Ilchester area over 40 villas many of them with mosaics are known, though very few have been excavated. We can rest assured that the site has at least been satisfactorily recorded, protected, backfilled with soil and safely put to bed before the winter frosts. The purpose of the dig was to try and determine the nature of the building, the period of its occupation and so on was it a courtyard villa as initially thought, or something else? No doubt there will be a press statement forthcoming, but we shall have to wait for a final report from archaeologist, Alan Graham, the purpose of which is protection of the site, taking stock and deciding what to do next as regards long term preservation. Maybe we can bring you extracts from that report when it is published. Evidence of a bath house and hypercaust were found. In conclusion, we must remember that this rare and unusual site would still be hidden and slowly disappearing if it hadnt been discovered and reported by two www.thesearcher.co.uk March 2010

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observant detectorists, Anne Laverty and Mike Pittard. The historical record is much richer because of their dedication and longterm commitment to the hobby of metal detecting. Through their awareness of the surrounding landscape and realising the significance of found materials other then metal has vastly benefited the local population, archaeologists and others. I thank them for allowing me to share in the excitement of their magnificent find.

Cleaning the mosaic

For helping with the production of this article my thanks are also extended to my sub-editor, chauffeuse and general factotum Lynda; to archaeologist Alan Graham for his scholarly wisdom and good cheer and also to Mr Bob Croft for allowing me to use material from the small book he edited. Roman Mosaics in Somerset is available from Somerset Council Heritage Service, priced at about 3.
Mosaic pattern

Showing full site

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Medley
Detecting by John Winter

The ring of truth


There was a recent story in the media and one we are all familiar with about a detectorist who was on a mission to reunite a unique ring with its owner after hed recovered it from a local field. He naturally thought whoever had lost it would be grateful for the safe return. We tend to assume that the return of such a find will be welcomed by the true owner, but this isnt always the case as I related in a 2007 article when I told the story about a ring found in the UK being reunited with the American giver. He wasnt very happy to get the ring back because it brought back memories of a sour relationship that he had been trying to forget. Not only that he had remarried and was very happy in the new wife. Then there was the case of the ring returned to a very pleased and grateful owner, but she wanted to keep it secret. It happened like this I was asked if I could find a ring lost in a field during a large village barbecue. Evidently, a lady had emerged from the Portaloo flapping her hands to dry (like they do) and realised that her ring was missing only when arriving home. Although the organisers and friends had borrowed a metal detector and made a search they drew a blank, there was nothing to be found. I was called in four years later and by a stroke of good fortune, located the missing jewel-encrusted gold wedding band. At first the lady was ecstatic to think that her ring had been discovered after being lost for so long. The farmer thought it would be a good human interest story and that the local press may be interested. However, she was aghast and wanted nothing to do with the suggestion and explained her reasoning. Seeing her disappointment at losing her wedding ring, her

David torcs hammered!


David Booth, safari park game warden, finder of the Scottish torcs and current face of Garrett detectors hes the guy in the adverts tells me that he is still using an Ace 250. He finds it a great little machine, easy to use for a novice and, although he may upgrade in the future, is more than happy with his choice of detector. And so he should. In the months following the discovery of the torcs David has found the usual buttons, spindle whorls, musket balls and modern coins. He talks fondly of the mediaeval dagger pommel and harness mount he unearthed, but the find that gave him a feeling he will never forget is his first hammered coin Scottish, of course! His appetite had been whetted by coins he had seen on detecting forums so when he came across his first, he instantly knew what it was and couldnt wait for a full identification. David has gone on to find even more. For those wondering what has happened to those wonderful torcs, I can tell you they were on temporary exhibition at the National Museum of Edinburgh for a while but are now being valued before being allocated (presumably) to a museum. Archaeologists were hoping to return to the find spot during the Spring to carry out further excavations.

If you think you have something suitable or ideas for publication, then please email me at: john@johnwinter.com

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Caught Knapping!
husband had soon bought her another. He also claimed on insurance and recovered the full cost of his initial purchase. In addition, the original lost ring had been returned. I was beginning to realise why the couple didnt want cheap publicity in the local rag! But its not all doom and gloom, of course. Far from it there are some heart-warming tales. Just this week I heard the improbable story of a Florida man who accidentally dropped his class ring off a cruise ship two decades ago. A detectorist recently found it on Daytona beach and tracked down the owner using Facebook. Incredible! The owner was very pleased and is reported as saying, This is wild! I never thought Id ever see it again! Now, I have a confession to make. Lithics in general, just leave me stone cold. Maybe its a black hole in my education, but I fail to get excited by flints and Stone Age tools. Until, that is, I stumbled upon a new site designed by writer and journalist Richard Milton that has kindled my interest. Judging by the number of such items shown and talked about on detecting forums, I could be in a minority. It cannot be denied that many of you are make exciting eyes only finds - the recent story of the Somerset mosaic was only discovered by hawk-eyed hobbyists recognising and understanding the significance of Roman tesserae scattered on the surface of a field. And then there are the numerous Stone Age tools found by observant detectorists. So, Id like to bring to your attention the Stone Age Tools Museum illustrating how flint tools were made in prehistoric times. This virtual museum at www.stoneagetools.co.uk is easy to navigate, has a host of high quality pictures and explains how to find, identify and collect flint implements. Richard reminds us that making flint tools was the leading edge technology for many thousands of years and that our ancestors were experts. From large powerful hand axes (shown) to tiny microliths like razor blades, they were masters of flint knapping, the art of shaping stone weapons and stone tools from flint. The tools in the museum include implements from the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods and includes hand axes, end scrapers microliths, flint knives, notched tools and many more. Highlights include discarded flake cores and hammerstones - and a tool described as the Mesolithic answer to the Swiss Army knife. Richard reminds us that we live in a world that is critically dependent on electricity and if that were to fail, we would be left only with the resources that our ancestors had six thousand years ago. His museum is a reminder of just how resourceful and inventive our ancestors were when they nothing but stones to work with. Thats quite a thought! I urge you to go and take a look; youll be pleasantly surprised!

Best things in life are free


You may be interested to know that in a recent survey carried out by the Disney Corporation on the top five everyday pleasures, the finding of money was number one! Could that be why so many of us are detectorists? Here are the other four pleasures in order: freshly washed bedding, not having to queue, somebody smiling at you, and helping someone. Well, there you go! Just another Micky Mouse production!

Should I dig?
A friend, whose wife has recently become a convert to detecting, ruefully admitted that she was finding more interesting artefacts than him. He contemplated whether it was down to complacency and should he be re-examining his detecting technique, especially as she was using what could only be described as a beginners machine. Was his swinging action too fast? Was he ignoring what could be positive signals? Or what? Its not the make of machine we are using and its not necessarily the type of land we have at our disposal, but its more likely to be our own fault that we dont find anything. I hesitate thats a bold statement! I think there is a very simple reason for the success of my friends wife, and other beginners the fact that they dont necessarily understand what discrimination is all about or are simply unimpressed by the concept! To put it simply, my friends wife chooses to dig more signals than him. Although it is probably one of the greatest innovations of recent years, I think many detectorists over-use discrimination, including myself! We have become spoiled by the features available on high-end detectors and choose not to dig what we think might be junk. Dont misunderstand me, discrimination is a great tool, but I think that moderation of its use is the key to better targets. Remember some signals require closer examination.

Flint tools found in Hamshire fields

www.thesearcher.co.uk May 2010

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Swine Flu and pierced gold coins


The recent Swine Flu pandemic (or was it epidemic?) that never quite came up to expectations, reminded me of those pierced gold coins we sometimes come across in our detecting meanderings (see the Charles I gold Angel, Spink 2684A). The coins with holes are also known as Touch Pieces, from the belief that persons of royal blood were thought to have the God-given power of healing. So, whats the connection with swine flu? The royal touch was said to cure the common disease of scrofula, a term derived from the word Latin scrofa, meaning swine or breeding sow. The malady was commonly known as the Kings Evil, a form of tuberculosis of the bones and lymph nodes. It is known, for example, that Charles I touched around 100 people shortly after his coronation in 1630. In addition to the belief that the monarch possessed supernatural powers, it was also thought that gold held curative properties. Hence the King would use a newly minted gold coin to touch the sufferers afflicted part, and the coin would thereafter be worn by the patient as an amulet around his neck hence the hole to take the ribbon. As you can imagine, these gold coins, worth 11s 8d, were a generous gift and subsequently a significant drain on the Treasury. The last English ceremony was supposedly performed by Anne in 1712 (her touch piece is illustrated) and it was George I who discontinued the practice. Its interesting to note that when the English gold Angel made its appearance in 1470 (Henry VI), the legend on the reverse said, Per Crucem Tuam Nos Christe Redemptor, which can be translated as, By Thy Cross, Save us O Christ Our Redeemer. That suggests to me that the coin may have been intended as a healing piece from the first. The Angel coin was favoured at these ceremonies because it has on the obverse an image of St Michael slaying the Devil who is represented by a dragon see picture. In later years

Charles II the Royal gift of healing

Charles II only touched the coin as he (unsurprisingly) disliked touching diseased people directly. And that is why dear reader, when you are lucky enough to unearth your first pierced gold Angel, you will not only know that it has been probably been handled by the monarch, but it has also been worn around the neck of a person with scrofula. The advice of the Health and Safety Executive would be to

use a pair of latex gloves and handle with care. Only joking I understand that you cant catch the disease from another. As an afterthought did you know that the Angel was such an iconic coin that many pubs were named after it? Monopoly players should know that The Angel, Islington was one of those and that the Angel tube station was named after the pub. Not a lot of people know that!

Picture this!
I always take a camera with me when I go detecting just in case I find that Gold Angel, and then Ill be able to take one of those clodcam shots that are so popular. I can dream! Im also very careful to keep the camera out of the rain, but after the news this week another cruise ship story I think that I can afford to be more cavalier in my approach! The word is that a Spanish fisherman trawling off the coast of Ireland has pulled up a camera that a couple dropped from the Queen Mary 2. Amazingly, the cameras SD card containing historic pictures of the final rendezvous between the Cunard liner and its now retired sister, the QE2, was still intact! Can you believe that? it in future advertising. Things have moved on apace since I lugged a Kodak Box Brownie up and down the slopes of the Spanish Pyrenees. Do I really need to carry protective Tesco plastic bags in case of inclement weather. Not any more it seems, but I will continue. Old habits die hard!

Clod cam shot courtesy of John Kineavy

I guess the makers of the card will have cottoned on to the fact and we are bound to hear about

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The Searcher May 2010

Medley
Detecting by John Winter

My First Metal Detector


I remember with affection my childhood days in a small Durham mining village. It was a time (or so it seemed) of endless sweltering summers, snowbound winters and sledging. Kids then did unusual things like playing over the fields, digging out a hive of whitearsed or sandy bumblers, transporting the buzzing bundle of boundless energy into a back garden wilderness, simply to watch them going about their business. Thus I was familiar with the excruciating pain of a bee sting from an early age and soon became immune. This was also the time I acquired my first real metal detector. It was called a Jackdaw. Sounds like the name for one of those cheap Chinese imports but this one was super efficient with discrimination second to none. Remember, I am evoking a time when it was not out of the ordinary for children to enjoy unlimited freedom and, like many of the local lads, I kept a jackdaw as a pet. Jacky (imaginative name) was acquired as a fledgling from the local quarry and ensconced in a rough and ready-made small cree hastily constructed by my father. You could tell the boys who kept jackdaws by the running streak of black and white droppings down the back of their jerkins for some reason the bird would involuntary defecate when landing on your shoulder. The jackdaw is known to be a gregarious bird and especially fond of people. I found Jacky easy to adopt and keep as a pet. We had great fun. He was noisy, inquisitive, enjoyed performing amusing tricks and even learned to imitate (in his raspy voice) my calling of his name. I reckon that if all the birds in the world took an intelligence test, then the jackdaw would top the scores. It is a wellknown fact that he will fly off with any pretty little object that catches his eye and Jacky often returned home with spoons, rings and other bright shiny objects that he had stolen. One day he returned with an Acme Thunderer whistle he had snitched from a guy refereeing at the local football match. That was his undoing. An irate fan downed Jacky from a telephone wire with a catapult when he returned for a second forage. I cried for a week. You never forget your first metal detector!

Searcher Test Results for the Jackdaw

If you think you have something suitable or ideas for publication, then please email me at: john@johnwinter.com
Jacky posed by a model!

Ergonomics: Feather-light, able to fly and well designed, but can be quite messy. Available only in black 9 User Friendliness: Comes when called. Operates better without supervision 10 Build Quality: Rather fragile, I suppose. Avoid catapults and stroppy pigeons 8 Weather resistance: Youll never have to put it in the airing cupboard to dry off almost waterproof 10 Performance: Discriminates well. Avoids dross and other dull crap 10 Value for Money: Minimal initial outlay 9 Battery Life: Perhaps its Achilles Heel needs frequent and constant top-ups of grubs, black beetles and centipedes 6 NB: the Jackdaw is not available at your usual stockist.

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The Searcher April 2011

It Came from Outer Space


One day in late October 2006 residents in the Bude area of Cornwall were startled to hear a loud bang. Many thought it was an earthquake and one resident said a crack in her kitchen had widened as a result. Others reported experiencing their properties shaking and hundreds of people phoned the emergency services. A BBC Radio Cornwall listener said, The whole place physically shook. It sounded like Concorde when it broke the sonic barrier, but much louder. Checks carried out in the area were inconclusive and the Ministry of Defence, the RAF had looked like just another piece of rock, was about to prove very interesting! This wasnt the usual mining waste he usually picked up. For a start It had a totally different appearance, was very heavy and weighed in at nearly 2kg. Meteorite experts have confirmed that what John had found was a chunk of rock called a chondrite. Basically, when the materials of a meteorite have not separated or melted because of the extreme heat they are subjected to upon entry, the remaining rock is termed a chondrite.

What a Beauty!
Australian Don Brereton sent me a print of the 69.43 ounce gold nugget found in June 2010 at Sandstone in Western Australia by his friend Mike. That weight is going to be hard to beat! the amazing thing was that he made the decision to keep the find quiet until the end of the tour. I hear that the expressions on the faces of the other members were priceless when the magnificent gold nugget

Mike says, I was turning the big 40 in January this year, and what better way of celebrating the occasion than to travel over 3,000kms and join up with the Gold Prospecting Australia annual tour. Mikes piece is what dreams are made of. The trip to WA was his first and
Johns Meteorite

was finally revealedglazed eyes and open mouths! On the last night of tour, says Mike, when everybody brings out their finds for a grand weigh in and final admire, my nugget was brought out by my detecting partner Mark. I was proud as punch, it was so hard not to bite my tongue!

and the Civil Aviation Authority said there were no records of their aircraft flying over the area. A spokesman from the West Cornwall Astronomical Society was fairly convinced that it could have been a meteor that caused the bang before burning up as it entered the Earths atmosphere.

Two Years Later

Is it just coincidence that whilst searching in Hayle, a mere 50 or so miles from Bude, detectorist John Stokes should make a remarkable and significant discovery? John says that he received a very loud signal in his headphones that nearly blew my head off. And what at first

Chondrites are often embedded with grains of material that pre-date the formation of the solar system. These are of particular interest to astronomers and scientists who wish to know about the formation of our solar system. It is estimated that there are approximately 27,000 chondrites in the world's scientific and public collections, as well as many more in the hands of private citizens. Certainly makes a change from the usual detectorist find and even more when we know the provenance and can make an intelligent guess as to when this meteorite crashed into the Earth. Thanks for sharing with us, John.

Lucky nugget finder Mike with MP Peter Walsh (PMAV)

www.thesearcher.co.uk April 2011

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Money, Money, Money!


Bring me Luck!
Discussing my first detector has brought on a nostalgia attack about money and how it seemed to dominate my young life. For example, when making a Christmas pudding, it was traditional in our house to add a silver three-penny bit to the mixture. It was believed to bring good fortune to whoever found it on their plate on Christmas day. When the pudding was dished up everyone would frantically search their portion to see if they had been lucky enough to get it! I guess that would be frowned upon today and would certainly contravene some Elf and Safety rule. predominately a Durham tradition. Whenever a village lass was married, her father would collect a handful of coppers to throw out of the car window as they set off for the church. We used to chase after the wedding car calling out shabby wedding if the coins didnt appear soon enough. I dont know the purpose of this tradition or if I did, Ive forgotten. You can imagine the scramble among the local youths as they fought to retrieve the coins. I witnessed feet run over by a white ribbon-bedecked wedding car on one occasion! a session in the pub, the miners went over the golf links to play pitch and toss. Dont get the wrong impression this rather grand name for the venue happened to be an undulating meadow of cowpats, cowslips, buttercups, bisected by a beck and surrounded by pit heaps! Gambling with coins must be as old as the advent of coin usage; in this country even during the reign of Elizabeth I it was a punishable offence under the Vagrancy Acts of the day. The laws regarding street gambling were tightened during the reign of Queen Victoria and it was still illegal in the 1940s. The local bobby had an arrangement that he would raid the illegal school at least twice a year. Even though a lookout was posted, there was always a scramble when PC Lambton made his appearance. Money didnt exactly fly everywhere, but it proved to be an excellent hunting ground for us wee boys! Im sure that with a detector, there would be a load of Victorian and Georgian coins still to be found.

Cross my Palm with Silver

Silver three-penny bit

Shabby Wedding!

My next custom recollection would certainly be forbidden and I cant be sure that it was

I stumbled upon the following custom by accident when playing outside the village church. Some people were coming out and a lady was carrying a baby in a shawl. She called across and handed me a small package with instructions not to open it until I got home. My mother told me it was a christening piece and since I was a boy, the baby must have been a girl. The gift contained a piece of fruit-cake and a silver florin, carefully wrapped in a paper doily. I spent quite a bit of time hanging about the church after that, but with little luck! If the baby had been a boy, then the first girl to be seen after leaving the church received the gift. The tradition was supposed to bring the baby luck. It also made this unsuspecting child very happy! I also remember that when a new baby visited our house my parents always crossed the

Florin

child's palm with silver so that the baby would always have money.

The Polis is Cumming. Lets leg it!


I briefly mentioned the village gambling school on a previous occasion, but in a different context. On Sundays and after

My First Hoard?

Durham Constabulary Helmet

I have a hazy memory of finding some sort of blackened silver coins and sitting on the back step feverishly rubbing them with a cloth impregnated with Vim scouring powderor was it Brasso? They were exceptionally shiny when I had finished and I remember showing them to my parents, but they didnt seem particularly interested. I wonder what happened to those coins? It wasnt a dream.

The John Winter Award


Don Brereton who helped me with The Saga of the Tamper and was subsequently awarded a Garrett book prize, has reciprocated by sending me magazines and other detecting news from Down Under. Amongst these was a copy of The Eureka Echo, the official journal of the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria (PMAV), of which Don is one of the officers. I was astounded and had to do a double take when reading that he had been presented with the John Winter Award for 2010. The President of the Association, Rita Bentley, gave her personal congratulations and said that he was a very deserving winner. I can only guess that the award was given to Don for the sterling work he has done for the PMAV. I must state that, as far as I know, the Australian John Winter is no relation!

Don (Picture courtesy of PMAV)

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The Searcher April 2011

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