INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS

[mmxx2024]

Hello everyone!
I'm studying archeology at university and I’m currently preparing a presentation on the fascinating topic of treasure hunting.
I’m reaching out because I’d love to ask you guys some questions about treasure hunting — and to hear from you—your experiences, your approaches, and your insights into this exciting world.
My presentation will focus specifically on treasure diving, but I know there are plenty of similarities in methods and mindset across all types of treasure hunting. So, whether you dive or not, you are very welcome to comment and answer my questions - your perspective is incredibly valuable, and I’d be thrilled to include it.


The following questions are only guidelines for you guys - I will read your answers to my class. If there's a question you don't want to answer you can of course always skip it .


1. How did you get interested in treasure hunting?

2. How do you locate potential sites? (Do you use historical records, refer to legends, use modern technology etc.)

3. What equipment do you use for searching and recovering items?

4. What happens to the items you recover? Are they sold, displayed, or archived?

5. How do you restore or preserve items?

6. Are finders keepers in your country? What is the legal situation / How do you comply with the laws there?

7. Do you document your finds in any way?

8. What skill set or fields of expertise does a good treasure hunter need to have in your opinion?

9. How expensive is it to go treasure hunting?

10. What is the most challenging aspect of being a treasure hunter?

11. Do you see yourself as a competitor to archaeologists or as someone who complements their work?
Are there situations where treasure hunters and archaeologists can work together successfully?

If there's a topic related to treasure hunting that my questions haven’t addressed, of course feel free to share anything you think would be valuable to include.

I can't wait to hear your replies!

 

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[Mackaydon]

Ans. to Q#1: In 1956, I received my driver's license. Gasoline was 30 cents per gallon. I found a $5 bill in the parking lot of our local Grand Union supermarket. To give you some perspective, that $5 bill was used to fill up my gas tank AND buy lunch. That got me hooked in TH.
Don in SoCal

 

[Garrett350@NC]

1. How did you get interested in treasure hunting?
A. three generations of Metal Detecting. All it takes is one good fined hooked for life.
Just getting out among mother nature is pretty satisfying.

2. How do you locate potential sites? (Do you use historical records, refer to legends, use modern technology etc.)
A: All of the above

3. What equipment do you use for searching and recovering items?
A: I use a Garrett Ace 350, Good shovel, and a good pin-pointer I have a Garrett

4. What happens to the items you recover? Are they sold, displayed, or archived?
A: I have display cabinets and Shelving Never sold anything.

5. How do you restore or preserve items?
A: Water and a fine toothbrush Preserved in sealed containers or coin books

6. Are finders keepers in your country? What is the legal situation / How do you comply with the laws there?
A: That depends on the situation. I have found things for other people. I do most of my hunting in wooded areas. I stay away from private property and historic locations unless I am granted permission

7. Do you document your finds in any way?
A: Absolutely, I use log books and maps with pins (Only for good finds) I do nothing if I find trash.

8. What skill set or fields of expertise does a good treasure hunter need to have in your opinion?
A: The ability to dig. Having a good understanding of your metal detector and with experience knowing what to look for such as old markings in trees, rocks, Landscape anomaly such as things that do not seem right in comparison to the rest of the landscape.

9. How expensive is it to go treasure hunting?
A: I have never spent more then $50.00 a day in gas, food, supplies if needed

10. What is the most challenging aspect of being a treasure hunter?
A: Finding treasure!

11. Do you see yourself as a competitor to archaeologists or as someone who complements their work?
Are there situations where treasure hunters and archaeologists can work together successfully?
A: I am not an archaeologist but as a Enthusiast We pretty much do the same things if you think about it. archaeologists should be admired, respected. Following their lead can almost guarantee a good hunt. I think I would enjoy working with them.

 

[Garrett350@NC]

Ans. to Q#1: In 1956, I received my driver's license. Gasoline was 30 cents per gallon. I found a $5 bill in the parking lot of our local Grand Union supermarket. To give you some perspective, that $5 bill was used to fill up my gas tank AND buy lunch. That got me hooked in TH.
Don in SoCal

Im 65 I remember

 

[RGINN]

I like your post. It's not the usual 'we're putting together a TV program, and etc.etc. blah blah.' I can't answer all your questions, but I will tell you this, the real money in treasure hunting lies in writing about it. Or these days producing media about it. (Well, we didn't find it this time, but next week...) Please present all these guys in a good light.

 

[mmxx2024]

Ans. to Q#1: In 1956, I received my driver's license. Gasoline was 30 cents per gallon. I found a $5 bill in the parking lot of our local Grand Union supermarket. To give you some perspective, that $5 bill was used to fill up my gas tank AND buy lunch. That got me hooked in TH.
Don in SoCal

What a nice story, thank you for sharing!

 

[mmxx2024]

1. How did you get interested in treasure hunting?
A. three generations of Metal Detecting. All it takes is one good fined hooked for life.
Just getting out among mother nature is pretty satisfying.

2. How do you locate potential sites? (Do you use historical records, refer to legends, use modern technology etc.)
A: All of the above

3. What equipment do you use for searching and recovering items?
A: I use a Garrett Ace 350, Good shovel, and a good pin-pointer I have a Garrett

4. What happens to the items you recover? Are they sold, displayed, or archived?
A: I have display cabinets and Shelving Never sold anything.

5. How do you restore or preserve items?
A: Water and a fine toothbrush Preserved in sealed containers or coin books

6. Are finders keepers in your country? What is the legal situation / How do you comply with the laws there?
A: That depends on the situation. I have found things for other people. I do most of my hunting in wooded areas. I stay away from private property and historic locations unless I am granted permission

7. Do you document your finds in any way?
A: Absolutely, I use log books and maps with pins (Only for good finds) I do nothing if I find trash.

8. What skill set or fields of expertise does a good treasure hunter need to have in your opinion?
A: The ability to dig. Having a good understanding of your metal detector and with experience knowing what to look for such as old markings in trees, rocks, Landscape anomaly such as things that do not seem right in comparison to the rest of the landscape.

9. How expensive is it to go treasure hunting?
A: I have never spent more then $50.00 a day in gas, food, supplies if needed

10. What is the most challenging aspect of being a treasure hunter?
A: Finding treasure!

11. Do you see yourself as a competitor to archaeologists or as someone who complements their work?
Are there situations where treasure hunters and archaeologists can work together successfully?
A: I am not an archaeologist but as a Enthusiast We pretty much do the same things if you think about it. archaeologists should be admired, respected. Following their lead can almost guarantee a good hunt. I think I would enjoy working with them.

Thank you so much! Your response was really insightful—it was a pleasure to read and learn more about your unique approach. Truly fascinating!

 

[mmxx2024]

I like your post. It's not the usual 'we're putting together a TV program, and etc.etc. blah blah.' I can't answer all your questions, but I will tell you this, the real money in treasure hunting lies in writing about it. Or these days producing media about it. (Well, we didn't find it this time, but next week...) Please present all these guys in a good light.

Wow that' s such an interesting perspective on this topic that's worth discussing with my class! Thank you so much for sharing - it's greatly appreciated!

 

[Chilli]

Hello everyone!
I'm studying archeology at university and I’m currently preparing a presentation on the fascinating topic of treasure hunting.
I’m reaching out because I’d love to ask you guys some questions about treasure hunting — and to hear from you—your experiences, your approaches, and your insights into this exciting world.
My presentation will focus specifically on treasure diving, but I know there are plenty of similarities in methods and mindset across all types of treasure hunting. So, whether you dive or not, you are very welcome to comment and answer my questions - your perspective is incredibly valuable, and I’d be thrilled to include it.


The following questions are only guidelines for you guys - I will read your answers to my class. If there's a question you don't want to answer you can of course always skip it .


1. How did you get interested in treasure hunting?

2. How do you locate potential sites? (Do you use historical records, refer to legends, use modern technology etc.)

3. What equipment do you use for searching and recovering items?

4. What happens to the items you recover? Are they sold, displayed, or archived?

5. How do you restore or preserve items?

6. Are finders keepers in your country? What is the legal situation / How do you comply with the laws there?

7. Do you document your finds in any way?

8. What skill set or fields of expertise does a good treasure hunter need to have in your opinion?

9. How expensive is it to go treasure hunting?

10. What is the most challenging aspect of being a treasure hunter?

11. Do you see yourself as a competitor to archaeologists or as someone who complements their work?
Are there situations where treasure hunters and archaeologists can work together successfully?

If there's a topic related to treasure hunting that my questions haven’t addressed, of course feel free to share anything you think would be valuable to include.

I can't wait to hear your replies!

1 Im a natural loner so it appealed to me being out alone.
2 Old gold maps and seeing things from experience
3 Detector
4 Gold sold, relics rarely kept. I typically leave the majority relics on a rock in the bush for someone else. You can only have so much on your mantle piece.
Useless in a box.
5 Just wash them with water and tooth brush or drop into microwaved nuked water.
6 A lot of relics are no keeps where I am. You can go to many places and keep the gold, nuggets, but are not allowed to keep relics.
7 Not really, just use my memory.
8 know your detector, know the history of the area and know the ground type.
9 Coins relics $500 to $1500 gets you good gear. Gold....$3000 up.
10 The terrain.
😁

 

[ToddsPoint]

Archaeology? Here’s a quote from arkie Ann Axtel Morris, wife of arkie Earl Morris who dug in the American SW in the 30s.
“Archaeology, treasure hunting decently concealed under the respectable cloak of science”. So it sounds to me like you want to become an “archaeologist/ treasure hunter”. However, your teachers and archaeologists will completely reject this line of thinking, even though it’s the reality. “Archaeologists good, treasure hunters bad.” 🤣😜 That’s the line you will be hearing now.

 

[Gare]

Question 1 In 1968 I was deer hunting with a bow . I had just bought a dozen new aluminum arrows. I had shot 4 arrows at a buck deer missing him. I could not find my arrows so i went and bought a metal detector. I COULD NOT FIND ANY of my arrows. I did find a 1965 (not even silver) quarter and have been hooked ever since

 

[mmxx2024]

Archaeology? Here’s a quote from arkie Ann Axtel Morris, wife of arkie Earl Morris who dug in the American SW in the 30s.
“Archaeology, treasure hunting decently concealed under the respectable cloak of science”. So it sounds to me like you want to become an “archaeologist/ treasure hunter”. However, your teachers and archaeologists will completely reject this line of thinking, even though it’s the reality. “Archaeologists good, treasure hunters bad.” 🤣😜 That’s the line you will be hearing now.

Thank you for sharing your perspective! Personally I don't think that treasure hunters are bad and I understand that the reality is often more nuanced than a simple 'good or bad' narrative, but your viewpoint adds an interesting layer to the discussion 👍.

 

[mmxx2024]

Question 1 In 1968 I was deer hunting with a bow . I had just bought a dozen new aluminum arrows. I had shot 4 arrows at a buck deer missing him. I could not find my arrows so i went and bought a metal detector. I COULD NOT FIND ANY of my arrows. I did find a 1965 (not even silver) quarter and have been hooked ever since

Amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[mmxx2024]

1 Im a natural loner so it appealed to me being out alone.
2 Old gold maps and seeing things from experience
3 Detector
4 Gold sold, relics rarely kept. I typically leave the majority relics on a rock in the bush for someone else. You can only have so much on your mantle piece.
Useless in a box.
5 Just wash them with water and tooth brush or drop into microwaved nuked water.
6 A lot of relics are no keeps where I am. You can go to many places and keep the gold, nuggets, but are not allowed to keep relics.
7 Not really, just use my memory.
8 know your detector, know the history of the area and know the ground type.
9 Coins relics $500 to $1500 gets you good gear. Gold....$3000 up.
10 The terrain.
😁

Thank you so much for your response! It was fascinating to read your unique perspective and your approach!

 

[Limitool]

There is a huge difference between "looking" for a treasure and/or just stumbling upon one.

"looking"... could mean seeking a known treasure within a area by looking for it. Then possibly finding it using various methods.

But many times when somebody is in a new unexplored area (or new to them) there just "looking" to see what they can find if anything of value is around. There not treasure hunting but rather just looking around.

"Stumbling upon one".... This means what it says. Many folks find a "treasure" through the looking process. They find an old barn, old home foundation or maybe a cave. Many times there finds are shared and admired by others. And rightfully so. And we're all in awe of there find(s). But many times a "find" can bring a lot of headaches. Now others want what you found of part of it.

And then there are finds stumbled upon that are NEVER shown or shared. This could be because of where they were found and/or how. This can range from a great artifact to 100's of gold coins. It's better to keep quiet and say nothing to avoid all the incoming chaos it would generate. I believe there are many great finds that are not shared unless the find is 100% within their world.

 

[DizzyDigger]

I had shot 4 arrows at a buck deer missing him.

More time at the range...

Back in the late-mid 1960's I had to tag along when my mom took my older brother to football practice. While wandering around the rest of the park I saw a man using a metal detector, and chatted with him for a bit while he dug a coin, and then he went on his way. The hook was set...hard...had to have one, but they were expensive for a 10 yo.

My father bought a Heathkit metal detector kit, built the circuit board, made a coil and put a shaft and handle on it. It was good for about 2", so I dug a lot of nails and even a penny or two.

 

[Gare]

More time at the range...View attachment 2181866

Back in the late-mid 1960's I had to tag along when my mom took my older brother to football practice. While wandering around the rest of the park I saw a man using a metal detector, and chatted with him for a bit while he dug a coin, and then he went on his way. The hook was set...hard...had to have one, but they were expensive for a 10 yo.

My father bought a Heathkit metal detector kit, built the circuit board, made a coil and put a shaft and handle on it. It was good for about 2", so I dug a lot of nails and even a penny or two. View attachment 2181868

SO TRUE DD LOL

 

[dowser]

My parents owned 3 acres on Lake Huron shoreline in the 60's, near White Rock. A large Boulder off shore. Stories were it was huge, and dance girls performed on it..
Supposedly the Navy shot at it for target practice, with their big guns.. I thought I could find the Schell casings, assuming they were valuable, or sunken ships..

 

[Garrett350@NC]

Archaeology? Here’s a quote from arkie Ann Axtel Morris, wife of arkie Earl Morris who dug in the American SW in the 30s.
“Archaeology, treasure hunting decently concealed under the respectable cloak of science”. So it sounds to me like you want to become an “archaeologist/ treasure hunter”. However, your teachers and archaeologists will completely reject this line of thinking, even though it’s the reality. “Archaeologists good, treasure hunters bad.” 🤣😜 That’s the line you will be hearing now.

sadly that's actually true