Metal Detecting

The biggest gold find in Anglo-Saxon history was made in 2009 by an amateur detectorist in central England — Terry Herbert dug in a field with his metal detector and found over 4,000 pieces of gold and silver, the “Staffordshire Hoard.” Scientists dated the cache to the 7th century.

Always ask the landowner before you go onto a field. In Germany, detecting on someone else's land is prohibited as a rule — allowed on your own land or with permission, and in archaeologically sensitive areas only with a special permit.