A burned building site and soil conditions

Newfiehunter

Hero Member
Oct 20, 2007
742
342
Newfoundland
Detector(s) used
Currently own: Fisher CZ5, Eurotek Pro, Tesoro Vaquero, Tesoro Cortes, Vibraprobe 560, Vibradetector 720, Garrett ProPointer. Makro Pinpoiinter Used: Whites Liberty2, Garrett Freedom3, Garrett GTA 1
Primary Interest:
Metal Detecting
Last year I discovered a site in which an old store burned to the ground in the 1880s. I didn't know the exact location of the building when I went to the site but after digging a few targets in a certain area the ground suddenly became black as charcoal as if it was burned. The black soil conditions wasn't an overly large area but it was about the size of a building. Did find a few old coppers from the 1800s there. So the question is, after a fire that occurred over 140 years ago, does the soil go back to normal conditions? Or does a fire damage the soil to the point where it doesn't ever recover to the way it was before? Just curious.
 

I think you would still find some black from the burnt building but I may be wrong. I seen a thing the other day where they were digging a ancient roman site and clearly showed where the fire was. Here is a picture of a ancient fire spot that was found under normal soil too.
image-701066007.jpg
 

I'm guessing, unless something took place to mix the burnt area with regular soil or minerals leach back into it, it would remain black ashy looking, don't think it reads different to s detector unless it contains metal or other high mineral content.
 

I'm guessing, unless something took place to mix the burnt area with regular soil or minerals leach back into it, it would remain black ashy looking, don't think it reads different to s detector unless it contains metal or other high mineral content.
Funny thing I found detecting once was a half burned piece of coal. Why the detector picked it up is anyone's guess. It was a wet day so I don't know if that effected it but it for sure was the coal giving the hit.
 

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