Resources for Detectorists
Contents
Please note that the most of the links on this page are to external websites.
Researching Finds
Researching Finds
Portable Antiquities Scheme (P.A.S.)
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is run by the British Museum and Museum of Wales to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales.UK Detector Finds Database (UKDFD)
A hobby-based initiative, which aims to promote a recording ethos within the hobby and encourage those detectorists who would not otherwise record their finds to do so by making use of the UKDFD self-recording facilityThe National Archives is home to millions of historical documents, known as records, which were created and collected by UK central government departments and major courts of law.Oxford Reference is the premier online reference product, spanning 25 different subject areas, bringing together 2 million digitized entries across Oxford University Press’s Dictionaries, Companions and Encyclopedias.ADS is the leading accredited repository in the UK for archaeology and historic environment data, with over 25 years of experience supporting research, learning and teaching with free, high quality and dependable digital resources.General Finds Identification Site
There are hundreds of pages of finds by individual category to browse on this site, finds by month, history pages, just about everything you can think of and some you didn't.How to read Stirling Silver Hallmarks
From the end of the 12th century the craft of silversmith has been regulated in conformity with Royal Ordinances and Acts of the Parliament through use of hallmarks.Buckles Through the Ages, and PDF version (pdf file)
Chris Marshall's website has an online version of his definitive guide to buckles through the ages. The PDF version reprinted from Treasure Hunting Dec 1986 is also available.Crotel Bells, Thimbles, Buttons
These are a few specific pages from UKDFD that may help you identify these categories of finds.Pictures of 19th century livery buttons to help identification.Lead seals such as cloth seals and bale seals were widely used in Europe between the 13th and 19th centuries as a means of identification and as a component of regulation and quality control.Historic NailsRichard Jones has been collecting nails for decades and his website contains a wealth of information and photos about all sorts of nails used throughout history.Researching Coins
Researching Coins
All Your Coins, and How to Identify Roman Coins
A database of coins, modern and anceint, and also a large collection of useful and interesting articles about coins. "How to identify Roman Coins" is one of thetheir articles and is a great introduction to Roman Coins and very useful in aiding their identification..How to ID Hammered Coins, and Mint Marks
The above are two links to Paul Shield's website which contain a wealth of useful information and guidance to help identify hammered coins.The long-cross coinage of Henry III and Edward I (pdf file)
This paper is an extract taken from British Numismatic Journal 9 pp 145-179. It is a definitive guide to long cross pennies by L.A.Lawrence originally published in 1912.BAJR Guide#37: Medieval Coins and ID (pdf file)
BAJR Guide#38: Post Medieval Coins and ID (pdf file)
British Archeological Jobs & Research (BJAR) publish many useful guides, the above two are useful resources when identifying medieval and post-medieval coins.Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, and Tony Clayton's website is an extensive collection of coin images covering all the periods of coinage in the UK.Researching Locations
Researching Locations
Ordnance Survey Maps (via Bing Maps)
Ordnance Survey is Great Britain's national mapping agency. With Bing Maps you can now browse them online for free.MAGIC mapping by Natural England
The MAGIC mapping website provides authoritative geographic information about the natural environment from across government data sources. The information covers rural, urban, coastal and marine environments across Great Britain. It is presented in an interactive map which can be explored using various mapping tools that are included. The NLS Georeferenced Maps viewer presents a series of maps “seamed” together and aligned with their real world locations. You can explore the entire series as a seamless layer, and compare to modern satellite imagery with a transparency slider. There are tools for measuring distances and areas, as well as for zooming to your current locationLiDAR is a technology which uses laser light to create a 3D representation of the earth's surface. It can be used to find archaeological features which are not immediately visible from the ground or through traditional satellite images.LiDAR Finder lets you uncover hidden features on the ground by showing you a split-screen view of a map and its corresponding LiDAR view.Archie UK (membership required)
A collection of many resources that help you find UK Archaeological Sites, LiDAR & Old Maps.Search for information on England's historic sites and buildings, including images of listed buildings.Roman Roads Research Association
The Roman Roads Research Association was formed to advance knowledge of the Roman road network and promote the study of Roman roads and Roman heritage throughout the British Isles.A website, launched by the Roman Roads Research Association in Spring 2018, provides a comprehensive online resource focusing on Roman roads in Britain.The original Domesday Book has survived over 900 years of English history and is currently housed in a specially made chest at The National Archives in Kew, London. The online Doomsday Book has been set up to enable visitors to discover the history of the Domesday Book, to give an insight into life at the time of its compilation, and provide information and links on related topics.Know Your Place - West of England - Gloucestershire Map
Know Your Place is a digital heritage mapping resource to help you to explore your neighbourhood online through historic maps, collections and linked information.Know Your Place provides unprecedented online access to a range of historic data, but more importantly provides a place where users can add information about your local area, building a rich and diverse community map of local heritage for everyone. Its free to use and anyone can add to the map.Secret of Field Names (pdf file)
Did you know that nearly all fields have a name? Sometimes a field's name is an archaeological indicator of its past use.