Women in Britain search for buried “treasures” for recreational and cognitive purposes

While searching for ways to pass the time during the “Corona” pandemic, cousins ​​Lucy Gray and Ellie Bruce, aged 34 and 26 respectively, tried a metal detector in their grandfather’s garden, and on the same day, they found a button from a navy jacket, which sparked their curiosity, and Gray recalls that incident, saying: “It made us wonder what other hidden things might be in there.”

Gray had recently moved from her native New Zealand to Lincoln, England, where her relatives lived, and shortly thereafter, she abandoned her plans to work in the fashion industry and joined her cousin in the family business specializing in handmade wallpaper.

Together, Gray and Bruce pursued their new hobby of metal detecting, and shared their adventures on the “Finding Roman Objects” account on the “Instagram” platform, where they boast followers from all over the world. Next April, they will publish their book “Things We Found Underground.” A group of personal stories in the new book highlight their personal discoveries along with the historical dimension, as well as the joy of “searching under the surface.”

The story of these two young women illustrates the recent popularity of metal detecting, especially in the United Kingdom, where many TV shows and films devote this subculture, such as the BBC series “The Finders” and the Netflix movie “The Dig.”

Women’s contribution

What was once considered a somewhat strange hobby, usually practiced by retirees with plenty of time, is now witnessing increasing popularity among young people in Britain, and even skeptics, who previously believed that treasures were only found in the “Indiana Jones” films, are now embracing this hobby. Technological advances that allow the use of advanced machines have contributed to a growing number of enthusiasts of all ages coming together across Britain, to search for traces of ancient palaces or ruined castles.

The numbers prove this. In 2024, the United Kingdom recorded the highest number of discoveries (1,540 so-called “treasures”) since official records began in 1996, and it can be said that women contribute significantly to this remarkable development.

Forum

Emma Yuill, a 34-year-old illustrator and designer, is one of the moderators of the “Online Metal Detectors Forum” on Facebook. This page provides support, information and contacts for female metal detecting enthusiasts.

“When I started at 22, it was a bit different,” Yuill recalls. “I would hear men commenting on women, like, ‘She has all the equipment, but she doesn’t have the knowledge.’” Yuwell continues, “(The online forum for female mineral hunters) is a safe place where we help each other out. Plus, it has helped me make friends with people who share the same interests as me.” British Heritage regulations are relatively lenient when it comes to scouting. For metals, provided that permits are obtained, and the artifacts are officially declared in the “Portable Antiquities” registry, which is managed by the British Museum.

This database is consulted and updated by most enthusiasts to contribute to historical knowledge, especially regarding periods for which there is insufficient documentation, such as the Iron Age.

Monetary value

When the discovery of an artifact is considered a “treasure”; Any object made of precious metal that is more than 300 years old, or a collection of objects, or a collection of coins, is given the opportunity to purchase by local museums, and if the purchase is made, the amount is divided between the landowner and the person who found the object. However, most finds lack major financial value, as metal detectorists are motivated more by historical curiosity and the opportunity to spend time in nature.

“It combines adventure, mindfulness and exercise, but it also gives you a sense of purpose, as finding things that have been untouched for centuries is truly an extraordinary moment of amazement,” says artist and videographer, Mace Detectorist, noting that she started metal detecting as a way to meet new people when she moved from Bath to South Devon. “Most people who try this hobby are immediately drawn to it, and that has to do with its positive nature,” says artist and videographer, Mace Detectorist. “The fact that you never know what you might find.” About “El Pais”

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Strange hobby

In fact, the sound of a metal detector can indicate anything, from a can of soda to a silver coin, a piece of agricultural machinery, or a ring. “Metal detecting is a very strange hobby,” says artist and videographer, Mace Detectorist. “You can be nine years old and find treasure on your first attempt, which is what happened to me, or you can be 75 years old and never discovered anything really interesting.”

As an artist, Dectorist prefers to explore the past through objects. “I particularly enjoy finding artifacts that have a connection to femininity, such as a Roman coin with the image of a strong woman,” she says.

. British Heritage regulations are relatively lenient regarding metal detecting, provided permits are obtained and the artefacts are officially declared.

. When the discovery of an artifact is considered a “treasure,” local museums are given the opportunity to purchase it and split the amount between the landowner and the person who found it.

. 1,540 “treasures” were recorded by the United Kingdom during 2024, the highest number of discoveries since it began officially dealing with them in 1996.

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Metal detecting in Britain is becoming more popular

Metal detector users have found more than 1.6 million items. Reuters

Metal detecting in Britain is more popular than ever, with around 20,000 people enjoying the hobby.

According to government figures, these people find 95% of the “treasures” and archaeological discoveries in the country.

Metal detector users have so far found more than 1.6 million items, which have been recorded in the UK’s national database, a vital resource for historians and archaeologists.

Among the discoveries are “Viking treasure,” “Anglo-Saxon” jewelry, and even Bronze Age treasures.

In 2023, an amateur metal detectorist made headlines when he found a gold necklace from the Tudor era linked to King Henry VIII.

Director of the British Museum, Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, said: “This success is a testament to the hundreds of metal detector users who devote their time to making these valuable discoveries, and then report back to us what they have found.”

Dr. Cullinan spoke at the launch of last year’s Portable Antiquities Programme’s annual report. The report reveals that more than 74,000 artefacts have been found in the United Kingdom, an increase of 54,000 pieces compared to 2024. The annual Treasures Report was also announced, which provides details of 1,377 “treasures” found.

Treasure is defined as any metallic object, including two or more coins, that is more than 300 years old, or newer objects if they are made of gold or silver and were deliberately hidden.

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Learning about the past

When asked about their most memorable archaeological discoveries, the women interviewed by El Pais mentioned things related to other women.

For mineralogist Lucy Gray, it was a Victorian “needle box” belonging to a sewing school that helped women find paid work outside the family.

As for one of the moderators of the “Online Metal Hunters Forum,” Emma Yuewell, one of her most exciting discoveries was a gold coin dating back to the year 60 AD, which belonged to the Iceni tribe, and the leader of this tribe was Boudicca, the warrior queen who led the rebellion of ancient Britain against the Roman Empire. Yuewell says: “This discovery helped me understand that era better.”

An interest in history and learning about the past may be two main reasons why women are devoting themselves to metal detecting more than ever before. Ultimately, it is a way to highlight the history of women that is not taught in textbooks, and it is an activity that allows “a special kind of connection” between women who are separated by time, but connected by the life challenges they face.