Treasure Hunting TV

Archaeologists strike gold in quest to find Queen of Sheba's wealth

2012-02-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

Archaeologists strike gold in quest to find Queen of Sheba's wealth

A British excavation has struck archaeological gold with a discovery that may solve the mystery of where the Queen of Sheba of biblical legend derived her fabled treasures.

Almost 3,000 years ago, the ruler of Sheba, which spanned modern-dayEthiopia and Yemen, arrived in Jerusalem with vast quantities of gold to give to King Solomon. Now an enormous ancient goldmine, together with the ruins of a temple and the site of a battlefield, have been discovered in her former territory.

Louise Schofield, an archaeologist and former British Museum curator, who headed the excavation on the high Gheralta plateau in northern Ethiopia, said: "One of the things I've always loved about archaeology is the way it can tie up with legends and myths. The fact that we might have the Queen of Sheba's mines is extraordinary."

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Interesting Video of an American trip to the UK

2012-01-01T14:44:00.000-08:00

Spinks 2012 Coin Book

2012-01-01T13:27:00.001-08:00

Just reading through my latest coin book Spink 2012 and was interested to note in their preface that as from next year, it will be getting split up into two books. Decimal and Pre-Decimal. I know a lot of collectors who don't have an interest in later coinage, but there are a growing band, who like collecting the different commemorative issues and the different types of 50p. The prices might surprise some people. So check your change!!

Funniest Coin Video of 2011

2012-01-01T13:19:00.001-08:00

Thought this talking hammy video was funny

How were hammered coins made?

2012-01-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

This clip was brought to my attention by a forum member, but it really does give an excellent idea of how hammered coins were made

Henry III Gold Penny - The History

2012-01-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know me, you will know I have a great interest in the Henry III, Voided Long Cross Coinage.All the coins were silver pennies EXCEPT'In 1257, a manuscript chronicle, in the archives of the City of London, states that the king made a penny of the finest gold, which weighed two sterlings, and willed that it should be current for twenty pence. Three specimens of it have yet reached us; and two of the three are in the British Museum. They are from different dies. This is engraved in Snellings 'View of the Gold Coin' in the last edition of 'Folkes's Tables' and in Pinkerton's 'Essay on Medals'.SOURCE: THE PENNY ECYCLOPAEDIA OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE 1837Over the coming months I hope to write an illustrated guide to the coinage. I'll keep you informed.

Lions, Ships and Angels A guide to identifying coin-weights, British and Foreign found in the UK

2012-01-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

Just been advised of a new book on the market, which surely is invaluable to detectorists.Lions, Ships and Angels A guide to identifying coin-weights, British and Foreign found in the UK.2nd edition is now available. • New, revised and enlarged edition with over 570 colour photographs of weights and around 50 line drawings. • HB 96 pages. A5 (pocket-sized) • Identifies all major types of british coin-weight from 1344 to 1843.• Identifies most foreign coin-weights likely to be found in British soil.• Details of the British and foreign coins for which the weights were made.• Comprehensive index.• A guide for the archaeologist, collector, curator and metal- detectorist. Price £33 including postage.To order you may ring us on 01691 648 765or order from our websitewww.galata.co.uk

Workmen make 'bewitching' discovery

2011-12-31T17:40:00.001-08:00

Water engineers have unearthed what could prove to be one of the most infamous sites in England's history of witches and warlocks.United Utilities' workers were "stunned" to discover a 17th century witch's-style cottage, with a mummified cat sealed into the walls, during a routine construction project in Pendle, Lancashire.The "spellbinding" find occurred near Lower Black Moss reservoir in the village of Barley, which nestles in the shadow of Pendle Hill - the UK's premier witching hotspot.Speculation is already rife among local historians that the building could be the lost Malkin Tower - the site of a notorious meeting of the Pendle witches on Good Friday, 1612.http://news.uk.msn.com/uk/workmen-make-bewitching-discovery-36

Petersburg man pleads guilty to damaging battlefield

2011-12-31T17:35:00.001-08:00

RICHMOND - A Petersburg man whose house was searched earlier this year, revealing a potentially explosive Civil War-era artillery shell, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of unlawfully taking Civil War relics from the Petersburg National Battlefield.In U.S. District Court in Richmond, John Jeffrey Santo pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of damaging archaeological resources, each of which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, and one count of depredation of government property, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.Santo originally was charged with three counts of damaging archaeological resources and one count each of depredation of government property, theft of government property and unlawful possession of a firearm. He will remain in federal custody while awaiting sentencing at a date to be determined.According to court documents, Santo was accused of illegally excavating Civil War artifacts at the Petersburg park on several occasions between September 2007 and December 2010. On Feb. 10, 2011, federal officials including park rangers searched Santo's home in the 1800 block of Oakland Street in Petersburg. There, according to a court filing, they found "in excess of 9,000 war relics and artifacts including bullets, buckles and assorted ordnance."http://progress-index.com/news/petersburg-man-pleads-guilty-to-damaging-battlefield-1.1242403#ixzz1fwM8qSVr

Charles I coin found by Newport treasure hunter

2011-12-31T17:32:00.001-08:00

A history buff has unearthed a rare 17th Century coin while metal detecting on the edge of Newport.Tony Baker’s heart skipped a beat as he dusted off the Charles I Declaration Shilling, dated 1642.Mr Baker said it was one of the most exciting moments of 40 years as a detectorist. “I have found a lot of artefacts, but this is probably the most important,” he said.Read more: http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2011/12/13/charles-i-coin-found-by-newport-treasure-hunter/#ixzz1iAMC6bTH

Viking hoard provides new clues to 'previously unknown ruler'

2011-12-31T17:28:00.000-08:00

One of the most important hoards of Viking silver ever found in Britain contains valuable coins bearing the identity of a previously unknown ruler.The “hugely significant” hoard of 1,000-year-old artefacts includes more than 200 coins, ingots and pieces of silver jewellery that was found buried underground in north Lancashire in September 2011.Experts at the British Museum are currently examining the hoard after it was discovered in a lead pot by a metal detector enthusiast.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/8955955/Viking-hoard-provides-new-clues-to-previously-unknown-ruler.html

Jersey return for 7,000-year-old Neolithic ring

2011-12-31T17:24:00.001-08:00

A Neolithic stone ring which dates back more than 7,000 years is to be returned to Jersey.La Societe Jersiaise and Jersey Heritage bought the polished jadeite ring for $17,500 (£11,291) at auction.The ring, which was found in 1986 and sold to a private collector in 1993, is considered to be one of the island's most valuable archaeological treasures.It is made from stone quarried in the Alps and was brought to Jersey by the first farmers who colonised the island.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-16223233

Two medieval brooches discovered

2011-12-31T17:22:00.001-08:00

RARE finds of two medieval brooches were revealed as treasure at a coroner’s hearing on Tuesday 13th DecemberSitting on a Treasure hearing at Selby Magistrates’ Court, Coroner Rob Turnbull said the two items, both livery brooches, were discovered at separate locations in Beal and Stillingfleet.The first item, a silver guilt brooch depicting a stag’s head with three antlers (above left), is believed by experts to date from either the 14th or 15th Century.Although the silver backed brooch, found with a metal detector at Beal, is damaged, Mr Turnbull said because of its age and the fact it contained a minimum of ten per cent precious metal, it was treasure.http://www.selbytimes.co.uk/news/local-news/district-news/two_medieval_brooches_discovered_1_4059814

Roman coins given Museum of Somerset

2011-12-31T17:19:00.001-08:00

More than 2,000 bronze Roman coins found at a Somerset water treatment works have been donated to a museum.The coins, buried in about 300 AD, were unearthed in 2006 by archaeologists investigating the Maundown water treatment works site near Wiveliscombe.Described as "a hugely significant find", the Maundown Hoard has been donated by Wessex Water to the Museum of Somerset in Taunton Castle.The work of cleaning and recording the coins was done at the British Museum.The 2,118 coins are due to go on display alongside the Frome Hoard, the second largest collection of Roman coins found in the UK.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-16243681

Anyone think metal detecting is sad now?

2011-12-31T17:18:00.001-08:00

A father-of-three has had the last laugh after a Viking hoard he found was officially declared treasure.Darren Webster, 39, from Silverdale, is now hoping the silver coins and jewellery will be bought by a Lancashire museum.The stone mason’s hobby started two years ago when his wife bought him a metal detector for Christmas and he found a rare lead casket containing 27 Viking coins, from 871 to 899, and jewellery buried in a field in Silverdale on September 14.Mr Webster said: “Metal detectors, some people look on them like it’s a bit of a sad hobby. My wife used to laugh at me.“The first think I did was ring my wife. I said, don’t laugh, but I’ve found treasure.#http://www.lep.co.uk/news/features_2_1844/anyone_think_metal_detecting_is_sad_now_1_4070228

Ship Sunk Four Centuries Ago Virtually Reconstructed In 3-D At Texas A&M

2011-12-31T17:16:00.001-08:00

Sunk in 1606, the Portuguese merchant ship Nossa Senhora dos Martires is sailing again — in 3-D presently but perhaps one day in reality. If the cyber-replicated vessel ever does hit the high seas, the way will have been paved by the research of a persevering Texas A&M University nautical archaeologist combined with the high-tech applied study of a graduate student well versed in computer-based visualization techniques.http://tamutimes.tamu.edu/2011/12/20/ship-sunk-four-centuries-ago-virtually-reconstructed-in-3-d-at-texas-am/

Tax bill paid with 2,000-year-old Iron Age fire guard

2011-12-31T17:14:00.001-08:00

A 2,000-year-old Iron Age fire guard has been accepted into Wales' national museum in lieu of inheritance tax.The Capel Garmon Firedog, once one of a pair on the hearth of a chieftain's roundhouse, is regarded as one of the finest surviving prehistoric iron artefacts in Europe.Previously on loan to the National Museum it will now be part of Wales' collections of Early Celtic Art.It was discovered in a peat bog in 1852.Conservation X-raying of the object, twinned with an experiment attempting to replicate the making of the piece, has demonstrated the sheer skill of the blacksmith.The piece comprises of 85 separately shaped elements, and originally weighted around 38 kilos.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-16252711

Sweden: Wedding ring 'found on carrot' after 16 years

2011-12-31T17:11:00.001-08:00

A Swedish woman has discovered her wedding ring on a carrot growing in her garden, 16 years after she lost it, says a newspaper.Lena Paahlsson had long ago lost hope of finding the ring, which she designed herself, reports Dagens Nyheter.The white-gold band, set with seven small diamonds, went missing in her kitchen in 1995, she told the paper.Although the ring no longer fits, she hopes to have it enlarged so she can wear it again.Mrs Paahlsson and her family live on a farm near Mora in central Sweden.She took the ring off to do some Christmas baking with her daughters, but it disappeared from the work surface where it had been left, she explained to Dagens Nyheter.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16374283

Arley Hall, Northwich

2011-12-31T17:08:00.000-08:00

Received my ticket confirmation today for the Metal Detecting Rally at Arley Hall in Northwich on the 15th January. The event is a charity rally limited to 100 detectorists, and already close to being sold out. Lord and Lady Ashbrook are helping a charity raise money. Can't wait to go there.

Appeal to keep Towton Iron Age treasure in Yorkshire

2011-12-04T06:32:00.001-08:00

Appeal to keep Towton Iron Age treasure in YorkshireAn appeal has been launched to raise £60,000 to ensure two gold bracelets, thought to be the first gold Iron Age jewellery to be found in the north of England, can stay in Yorkshire.They were found by two metal detector enthusiasts in a stream near Towton, North Yorkshire, in 2010 and 2011.Before these finds, the furthest north such jewellery was found in England was in Newark, Yorkshire Museum said.The torcs have now gone on display at the Yorkshire Museum in York.The first of the bracelets, known as torcs, dated between 100 BC and 70 BC, was found in May 2010 by metal detector enthusiasts Andrew Green and Shaun Scott.The torc was later declared to be treasure by the North Yorkshire coroner.

2011-12-04T05:54:00.001-08:00

Illegal metal detecting at Old SarumPOLICE are working with English Heritage to tackle illegal metal detecting at Old Sarum Castle.Over the last week, English Heritage has become aware of a number of incidents at the site where metal detectors have been used before offenders have dug up parts of the site, damaging sensitive archaeological deposits.A joint statement from Wiltshire Police and English Heritage said: “The castle is widely recognised as of national significance and is designated as a scheduled ancient monument. It is a hugely important community heritage asset, enjoyed and treasured by the citizens of Salisbury.“It is a criminal offence under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 to both use a metal detector in a scheduled monument without the written consent of English Heritage, and to damage or destroy a scheduled monument.”Anyone with information or who witnesses people using metal detectors in this area is asked to contact PCSO Nicola Clark on 101.http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/9390713.Illegal_metal_detecting_at_Old_Sarum/

2011-12-04T05:53:00.001-08:00

Gold rush as metal detectors battle over field of sovereignsMETAL detector enthusiasts on a charity day ended up in a brawl after 300 sovereigns worth £75,000 were found in a field.They then ran off with the loot – half of which belonged to the farmer who owns the land – instead of declaring it under treasure laws.One enthusiast said: “The find was made by someone inexperienced who started yelling about a gold coin.Advertisement >>“Soon there were about 100 individuals digging. It was out of hand. Metal detecting is a cut-throat world. Only two of the 300 coins were in the finds box at the end of the day. The rest will end up on eBay or melted down.”The row erupted after 200 metal detector fans paid £12 each to scour a field near Twinstead, Essex, on Sunday, raising money for ScoutsRead more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/12/01/gold-rush-as-metal-detectors-battle-over-field-of-sovereigns-115875-23600941/#ixzz1fZe7B7zFRead more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/12/01/gold-rush-as-metal-detectors-battle-over-field-of-sovereigns-115875-23600941/#ixzz1fZe2051C

2011-12-04T05:51:00.001-08:00

Yorkshire Dales National Park reveals Anglo Saxon buildingThe ruins of what is thought to be an Anglo Saxon building have been revealed by amateur archaeologists in part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.The stone building, near Selside, North Yorkshire, was uncovered by members of the Ingleborough Archaeology Group.Samples of charcoal found in the soil floor were carbon dated. That revealed they date from between 660 and 780 AD.Robert White, from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said the building was an "exciting" discovery."The National Park has a wealth of archaeological sites, but very few have been excavated and even fewer since scientific dating techniques became widely available," he said.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-16013307

2011-12-04T05:50:00.001-08:00

A medieval seal thought to have once belonged to Stone Priory in north Staffordshire has gone on displayA medieval seal thought to have once belonged to Stone Priory in north Staffordshire has gone on display.The copper object, which bears the image of the Virgin and Child, was found by a metal detector enthusiast in Cobham, Surrey, in September.It will be on show at St Michael and St Wulfad's church in Stone as part of its Christmas tree festival.Reverend Sally Smith, curate at St Michael's church, said: "It's important as it's a piece of our history".The inscription around the seal reads: "S'ecc Sce Marie et Sci W(v)lfadi Martiris de Stanis" which can be translated as "seal of the church of Saint Mary and Saint Wulfad, Martyr of Stone".

2011-12-04T05:49:00.001-08:00

Archaeologists find rare tool on building site in MoretonA RARE and ancient tool found on a building site in Moreton is said to a “significant find” for the town according to experts.Cotswold Archaeology made the exciting discovering earlier this month while carrying out an excavation on the Fire Service College housing development.The flint hand axe, thought to have been used primarily for butchering large animals, is the second of its kind to be found in Moreton in eight years.http://www.tewkesburyadmag.co.uk/news/cotswolds/9394022.Archaeologists_find_rare_tool_on_building_site/