River detecting

[trys]

Just wondering if anyone here has done any detecting in rivers? Just been watching the "Shalow water hunting" DVD, they were finding loads from celtic onwards all in really good condition too. I'm gonna give it a go soon as i've got a few rivers in mind!

[PHIL YNYSBOETH]

Hi trys
Its something ive wanted to try for some time
Theres a tradition near here In Pontypridd to throw your wedding off the old Pontypridd Bridge when you get divorced.
As you can imagine there must have been a few over the years My 1st marrage ring is there for a start.

Ive fancied getting one of them powerfull magnets and do the river down stream from the Roman gold mine at  Dolaucothi Near pumpsaint 

[trys]

Hi Phil, funny you should mention pumpsaint - I was detecting there about a month ago! Really dissapointing, loads of hope in finding roman, but after 6 hours all I managed was a 1920's shilling and a couple of buttons and by the river LOADS of tin cans . The farmer said that there had been quite a few detecting over the years. He also said that the river had changed it's course quite a lot over the years.

[PHIL YNYSBOETH]

I should imagine its very popular every one loves Gold
I went there with my father before it became an attraction.
You could wander anywhere on the site
Around the  caves and the quarrys fools gold iron pyrite was everywhere
I went back there 30 year later and there  was was nothing left ;0(.
I guess all the school kids like me took it all lol 

[outlaw]

the rivers are a good bet, just be careful where u tread, and really there should always be two just incase of problems.

Unless you can aford a water proof control box, watch out those electronics dont like water !

[Bob]

I live on the Loughor Estuary which can be called a river once you get far enough inland. At the point where the A484 crosses the river from Swansea to Llanelli there is a Roman settlement and fort which in later times was taken over by the Normans and the castle remains can still be seen. Before the bridge there was a small crossing post where ferries (I imagine just small rowing boats) crossed the river, remains of the pier can be seen near the boating club just up-river from the bridge. I have detected here now and then but there is a lot of waste and the enormous amount of fishing tackle to plough through before any possibility of finding something good. However, a friend of mine (now sadly passed away) knew the river extremely well and found a number of Roman coins in certain spots that he knew. But, this river is extremely dangerous, the mud is unforgiving to those who don't know where to tread, as is the quicksand. Add to that the vicious currents when the tide is both coming in and going out and the possibility to be cut off and stranded can make it a site not for the faint-hearted.

Another place I detected was Black Rock which is on the Severn Estuary, on the west side of the river. The mud here is probably worse than Loughor and you need waders. Once again it is an extremely dangerous place to detect and if you fall over (which a couple of my detecting mates did) then be prepared to be covered in black goo!  However, if you are lucky then the possibility of finding Roman coins and votive offerings exists as this too was a Roman crossing place.