Backyard Archeologist

[Michigan Badger]

All you need to do treasure hunting is a shovel and a screener (see photo). Total cost under $20. Anyone can be a backyard archeologist. And the best thing is, you'll probably find far more then you would if you used a $2,000 metal detector.

Just pick out a spot, peel back the sod, shovel and sift. Take it from me--you'll be shocked at what you'll find.

Today (see pictures) I returned to a hunted-out area where I?ve done very well in the past but now all my best machines say nothing is left. Since this is farming land and I have permission I plan to get everything still in the ground.

Today I selected my very best treasure finder, my screener and shovel combo.

I dug for a total of 1 hour or so and found loads of glass, square nails, pottery pieces, cast toy wagon wheel, and a solid silver monogrammed spoon!? I couldn't believe my eyes! I had hunted that spot at least 20 times! I have even rototilled it up and checked it with my Minelab. The spoon was right there all the time! All detectors missed it! This was the exact same spot where? I had found a coin cache last spring. The spoon was only 5 inches deep (approx.). It must have been pointing straight down so the detectors missed it.

I now plan to make a more automatic screener to use here and I?ll leave the detectors at home. I'm going to screen it all!

Can anyone read the monogram on the spoon?

 

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[SugarSand]

WOW, nice relics and a great idea! If I had the time I would give it a try. I've seen other forums where the serious relic people do that at old homesteads, amazing what you can find. I can't read the spoon, I'm bad at those ornate letters...

 

[northeast hunter]

the spoon may have been on edge just as you show it...that may be why you missed it just a though
BTW great finds i may do that with my garden and in the process i will get rid of all them rocks

 

[Nate in Ohio]

Dude! I used to do that when I was like 9 years old in my own backyard! I did for a couple days and found a whole bucketfull of nails, a hotwheel, and a brass pendant that says "Lucy" on it. Oh, well it was fun. Keep excavating!

 

[Gabbit]

Looks like fun!! I am pretty sure the monogram is a W. I used to do Calligraphy.

 

[lonewolfe]

Good job!

HH

Lonewolfe

 

[JakePhelps]

Wow!! Amazing finds Is this area a dump or jsut a part of the feild? i found a cast iron toy wheel kinda like that, its in the top of the whatsit section.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Bend some back-to-back nineties on EMT for great rocker legs. Works great, and lasts long time.

Here is a picture of a screen with EMT legs, screening at a 1830s Fort (that is me on the left with the two-box)

HH, Jim

Hi Jim, do you have a better close-up picture of your screener? It looks great. I'm looking for some plans to make one that's easier on the back.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Wow!!? Amazing finds ? Is this area a dump or jsut a part of the feild?? i found a cast iron toy wheel kinda like that, its in the top of the whatsit section.

It's just a plain field. I did research and found out there was once a horse stable and small wood framed church in that area. There also was a house but it burned down in the 1920's. I've found lots of door hardware and cookstove parts in that spot.

 

[JakePhelps]

Wow imagine how much is in the whole field if thats just from one small area

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Nice post, thanks for sharing the idea! HH, Mike

 

[Kentucky Kache]

Good Idea.