Title: battlefield survey Post by: bymatt666 (byron) on March 13, 2012, 04:09:46 PM A Battlefield Archaeology Survey
March 5th/6th 2012 I volunteered , along with my detecting buddy , to take part in a metal detecting survey of a known battle-site . On the first day there were 16 volunteers , the second day there were 10. The aim of the survey was to try and find anything from the 1190's battle, in particular a “Bodkin Arrowhead” which could pierce chain mail or any other type of armour. We were searching in “all metal” and expected to dig all signals, which got very tedious after a while. The area we were in was Painscastle , Powys, searching fields in the vicinity of the ruins of the castle.The scenery in that area was stunning and really hilly, the view from the castle back then must have been spectacular and any troops approaching could be seen from miles away. The search area had been set out by the two archaeologists in charge , there was a row of flags across the top of the field with a further row about 50 metres along the field and another the same distance away . We were told to pick a flag number and follow the corresponding flag across the whole field . We had been given small flags and plastic bags so any find would be bagged ,left on the ground with a flag by it for the archaeologists to pick up and decide whether to keep it or dump it . It was a systematic search method, after we had completed a run down, and back up the field, the flags were re-positioned to be at ninety degrees to the first sweep. This way all the field was covered quite comprehensively. Lots of finds were uncovered , checked and logged on a GPS . After a break for lunch we made our way to a different field. The same method was employed and this field was covered fully too. The usual finds were surfacing , buttons,buckles,musket balls, lead etc, unfortunately nothing from the time they were hoping for .At around 4 o'clock we called it a day , hoping for better luck tomorrow. The next day we were in a field directly under the castle ruins , so hopes were running high . We picked our starting position by the flag that took out fancy and off we set , The outcome was much the same with nothing that was hoped for finding it's way to the surface .The flags were re-positioned about three times in this last field but to no avail , the same type of finds were coming to light .All the finds, regardless of what era they were from , were bagged and stored away for investigation back at the archaeologists' base . This was the first time I had experienced any work of this nature and it was very enjoyable . I would not hesitate to help out again if required as I think it fosters good relations with those who were considered “the enemy” not too long ago. Byron Matthews . Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: Kev on March 13, 2012, 04:30:05 PM good read that Byron ,very interesting what you had to do, some known faces on those photos as well. glad you enjoyed it. ;)
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: Chef Geoff on March 13, 2012, 04:50:11 PM Well done Byron, nice write up. I've done more than my fair share with the 60-61 Group, with as much success as you so far ;D
One thing we realised long ago was that unless you have a standard as far as hardware is concerned then your findings are never that reliable. In the one shot you have an Explorer with a 12X15 SEF and then an Ace 250 :o Also did the Explorer/Etrac users all use their noise cancel on 10 or as high as was poss? Also sensitivity has to be the same otherwise you end up, as no doubt the archaeologists have on your survey have, with absence of evidence and not evidence of absence. Good fun though ;) Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: heather on March 13, 2012, 05:20:00 PM steve and I (2nd and 3rd in picture - hope you can tell the difference lol) had a great time as well.
Although steve got the food day on the 2nd day and decided to go to the pub which was closed, so it was rooting around in the car for left overs lol. I found a beautiful buckle, which Im hoping to get some pictures from Chris soon. It was very delicate with enamal on the top and had a crest of some sorts in it. Once the picture comes, shall post it. It was a very tiring couple of days, but loved every minute, but not digging up the rust - omg so so so much rust !! H Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: LUCKY on March 13, 2012, 07:17:42 PM Terrific post which I really enjoyed reading, congratulations to everyone involved. Detectorists in Scotland do a lot of this type of work as well as participating in excavations, and, doing other types of surveys. It is so rewarding as everything you find, including iron objects, is so important. ;) ;D
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: beachboy (viv) on March 13, 2012, 08:19:28 PM byron well done thats a great report and a good turn out, and you had the weather with you to.viv
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: bymatt666 (byron) on March 13, 2012, 09:14:38 PM we were lucky with the weather viv.... ;)....it was a bit breezy on the first day but warmed up later on.......interference off other machines was a problem, under normal circumstance we would not be detecting so close to each other.......it was ok once we spread out..... :D.....an enjoyable experience though........byron
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: heather on March 14, 2012, 09:35:27 AM heres the buckle if anyone has any ideas on it that would be great
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: legio11augustus on March 14, 2012, 09:39:29 AM sounds good fun byron,enjoyed the read and heather thats a cracker of a buckle
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: DEADLOCK on March 14, 2012, 09:54:04 AM gteat post byron not far from me
Title: Re: battlefield survey Post by: The Doc on March 14, 2012, 11:14:33 PM heres the buckle if anyone has any ideas on it that would be great That looks very unusual Heather, nice find!! How big is it? Also, is the back plain and flat, plain and rounded, or is it decorated? Lastly, what is in the middle between the enamel crosses - is it just corrosion or is there another fixing hole with a rivet remaining? |