This week I’m joined by Tom and Matt, the creators of the Detector Maps app, calling in from Queensland, Australia (while I’m in the UK with my steak dinner).

We get into how their backgrounds in mineral exploration and gold prospecting shaped the app, what it’s like detecting in remote Aussie conditions (40°C heat, and long drives), and how that “field-first” thinking has turned into a seriously useful tool for UK detectorists.

• How Tom got started using detectors for mineral exploration and then found his own gold using a Minelab GPX 4500

• Why early mornings can mean quieter, more stable detecting (and more nuggets)

• The core Detector Maps features UK detectorists are loving: old maps, LiDAR, offline maps, tracking, and layers in one place

• PAS integration: how the Portable Antiquities Scheme dataset is handled, categorised, and linked back to records

• Filtering PAS finds by material and period, plus the “no finds” heatmap concept

• Property boundaries and using Inspire IDs to help identify landowners for permissions

• NDVI explained: crop stress mapping and how it can reveal archaeology that doesn’t show in satellite or even LiDAR

• Listener Q&A: PAS data onboarding, and why LiDAR coverage varies in Australia’s Victorian High Country

• What’s next: Academy/user guides, stability upgrades, new regions (Canada), and some “top secret” features in the pipeline

• A feature request I’d love: drawing a line or boundary with an alert if I drift off track while detecting

Facebook and Instagram: Detector Maps

Email: [email protected]

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In this mini midweek episode of the Detecting History Podcast, we mark 1 February 1707, the day the English Parliament formally ratified the Act of Union under the reign of Queen Anne.

This moment did not yet create Great Britain, that would come later on 1 May 1707, but it was the point at which the union became irreversible. England and Scotland were now locked into a shared political, financial and military future at a time when Britain was under enormous pressure from war, debt and the rising cost of empire.

We explore why the Act of Union mattered so deeply in 1707, including Britain’s involvement in the War of the Spanish Succession, the growing power of Parliament, and the tightening control over silver, taxation and money supply. These pressures shaped not only the future of the country, but the coinage of Queen Anne herself.

For metal detectorists, Queen Anne coins sit high on many bucket lists, yet even experienced searchers rarely find them. In this episode we explain why. Anne’s coinage was well struck, high quality, heavily regulated and extremely valuable. Silver was strategic, carefully controlled, rarely lost, and after her death much of it was systematically melted down and restruck to fund war and empire.

More than 300 years later, detectorists still feel the impact of those decisions every time they search a field and come up empty handed. It isn’t bad luck. It’s history.

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What happens when a “last walk back to the car” turns into a metal detecting day you will never forget?

In this episode of the Detecting History Podcast, I am joined by Chris Phillips and Paul Gould, the detectorists behind one of the most talked-about UK finds this year: an Anglo-Saxon gold ring and a stunning gold eagle-head mount (initially thought to be a raven), revealed through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) annual event last week and showcased at a British Museum event.

We break down the story from start to finish: the club dig with 9th Region Metal Detecting Club, the exact moment each signal hit, what the finds looked like in the ground, and how the day unfolded once it was clear this was Treasure. Chris and Paul also share what happens next, including the latest on the PAS and Treasure process, and the planned archaeological dig that will explore the wider site.

Along the way we get practical, too: the realities of learning your detector, what gear they run (including the Minelab Manticore and XP Deus 2), beginner-friendly detecting tips, and how to read a field for the “signs” that people once lived and worked there.

In this episode:

• The full story of the Anglo-Saxon gold ring and the gold eagle head discovery

• How the PAS and Treasure process works in real life (and why it can feel slow)

• The British Museum PAS annual report event and why these finds mattered

• Detector setups: Minelab Manticore vs XP Deus 2, coils, pinpointers, and digging tools

• Best beginner advice: learning signals, field strategy, and why you should dig the “iffy” ones

• Bucket list finds, favourite eras of history, and where to follow Chris and Paul online

Find Chris on his youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tinner455 or his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tinner455metaldetecting

Find Paul on his TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@americandetectornbritain or his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momojo135/

If you love metal detecting, Anglo-Saxon history, portable antiquities, and real stories from UK fields, this one is for you.

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In this midweek episode of the Detecting History Podcast, we examine one of the most shocking moments in British history.

On 21 January 1649, Charles I was found guilty of treason by his own subjects. Nine days later, he was executed outside the Banqueting House, ending centuries of belief in the divine right of kings.

This episode explores how England reached that point, the role of Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army, and why the breakdown between king and Parliament made compromise impossible.

We look at what happened between Charles I and Cromwell, why the trial of a reigning monarch was unprecedented, and how the execution reshaped power, authority, and the future of the British monarchy.

A pivotal moment where a crown was not just lost, but deliberately destroyed.

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In this week’s solo episode, Katie is back in the field for the first time in a while with not one but two digs, while her ORX coil is still with Regton for inspection. She shares what it was like returning to detecting, how quickly the hours disappear once you’re swinging, and what she is learning as she gets to grips with the NOX 800 in both noisy and quieter ground conditions.

You’ll hear highlights from two brilliant club days out, including the friendly atmosphere at Hayling Detect (plus the legendary bacon sarnies) and a muddy Midweek Searchers session where the tones were clearer and the finds started stacking up. Katie also talks about the physical side of detecting, why warm-ups and mobility matter, and how she’s building back up sensibly after a few months away.

Away from the fields, it’s a podcast growth week too: social media, SEO, and a big hello to listeners across 73 countries. Katie rounds things off with community news, including the Bearded Bleepers exhibition at the Shere Museum, a spotlight on Darren Booth’s new side hustle “The Etching Booth,” and a quick run-through of archaeology headlines that caught her eye this week.

Next week: an exciting guest (or two) and an incredible find. No spoilers. You will not want to miss it.

Follow and connect:

Detecting History Podcast on all socials

Email: [email protected]

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In this episode, we go back to January 1559, when Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey. We explore how and when Elizabeth became queen, why her coronation mattered politically and religiously, and how this moment marked the beginning of one of the most transformative reigns in British history.

We also look at what this period leaves behind in the ground today — from Elizabethan hammered silver coins to everyday Tudor artefacts still being found by detectorists across Britain. Plus, why Elizabeth I’s portrait is often worn smooth on coins, how to identify and date them when the face has gone, and what that wear tells us about life, trade, and money in the late 16th century.

Perfect for fans of British history, Tudor England, Elizabeth I, metal detecting, archaeology, and historical finds.

Find the podcast on all socials @detectinghistorypodcast and Youtube

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Please give a follow and a 5 star review! Until next time!

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In this episode of the Detecting History Podcast, Katie is joined by Ellie aka Miss Detectorist to explore the realities of modern metal detecting, from unforgettable historical finds to the power of community and storytelling.

Miss Detectorist shares her personal journey into metal detecting over the last three years, including the excitement of uncovering Roman artefacts, her ongoing hope of finding gold, and the importance of understanding the historical context of a site rather than just chasing signals. Together, they discuss how choosing the right metal detecting equipment is a personal process, shaped by experience, strategy, and learning from others in the community.

The conversation also dives into the social side of metal detecting. From festivals and rallies to online connections, this episode highlights how friendships, shared knowledge, and community support play a crucial role in identifying finds and keeping the hobby enjoyable. Miss Detectorist reflects on how writing about her discoveries and sharing them online has opened unexpected opportunities beyond the field.

They also talk candidly about content creation in the detecting world, including the pressure to post during dry spells, the balance between filming and enjoying the dig, and why storytelling matters more than constant finds. Miss Detectorist explains her preference for Instagram and YouTube, her move towards voiceovers, and how her content style has evolved as her confidence and experience have grown.

Whether you are new to metal detecting or a seasoned detectorist, this episode offers practical advice, honest insight, and a reminder that the real treasure is often the story behind the find.

Find Miss Detectorist on instagram here or YouTube here

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Is metal detecting about to be licensed in the UK?

A major parliamentary report published in December 2025 examines metal detecting, archaeology, current laws, and whether tighter regulation or licensing could be introduced.

In this Season 4 opener of the Detecting History Podcast, Katie breaks down the final report from the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group (APPAG), explaining what it says, who was involved, and what the recommended next steps could mean for detectorists.

This episode covers:

• Whether metal detecting licences are actually being proposed
• How reporting, monitoring, and enforcement currently work
• The role of the Treasure Act and Portable Antiquities Scheme
• Why detectorists are recognised as vital contributors to archaeology
• Where tensions still exist between archaeology, museums, and detecting
• What changes could affect rallies, museums, and heritage protection

Also in this episode:

• Season 4 updates, including full video episodes on YouTube
• Detector kit chat, including ORX issues and moving to the Equinox 800
• Finds news from the UK and beyond, including medieval coins and shipwreck treasure
• What’s on TV right now for history and metal detecting fans

This is essential listening for anyone who metal detects or wants to understand how UK heritage policy decisions could shape the future of the hobby.

Links to the full APPAG report and related resources are:

https://appgarchaeology.wordpress.com/inquiry/

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Hello everyone! How are you enjoying your summer? I hope you're loving the sunshine, keeping hydrated and slapping on that sunscreen!

I've been awol for a while, keeping things simple, recovering from horrible vertigo and just enjoying some UK travel and some restful times. With the brilliant weather comes lack of rain and super hard ground in good old Hampshire, so i'll be give the digging a miss until we hit Autumn.

Back in March I decided to do a "come on a dig with me" episode, then totally forgotten i'd done it until now, its a sign, the universe telling me its time to get excited about digging again, woohoo! Hope you enjoy something a bit different.

If you want to get in touch with me email me at [email protected] or find me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/metaldetectinghistorypodcast/

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Join me on the Metal Detecting History Podcast as we delve into the world of metal detecting, this week my guest is the renowned Sussex Searcher, Sam Spiers!

In this captivating episode, Sam shares invaluable insights into the art of metal detecting, from his favoured equipment, to how to do thorough research in uncovering promising locations.

We explore the thrill of the hunt as Sam recounts some of his most incredible finds, including the story behind his amazing gold tooth discovery!

Sam's passion for unearthing artefacts shines through as he discusses his ongoing quest to uncover more remnants of Sussex's rich past and more Roman!

Whether you're a seasoned detectorist or just starting out, this episode is packed with tips, anecdotes, and the infectious enthusiasm that makes The Sussex Searcher a true inspiration. Tune in and get ready to dig deep!

#metaldetecting #metaldetectinghistory #sussex #sussexsearcher #goldtooth #romanfinds #archeology #treasurehunting #history #ukmetaldetecting #detectorist #metaldetector #metaldetectinguk #metaldetectinghistorypodcast

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Sam's Instagram

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