Detecting an Archaeological dig site...

[Bavaria Mike]

I was on vacation so I went to help out at a local archaeological dig site for a few days. They have been digging here since 2004 and I have helped in the past. I have asked the Archaeologist in charge if I could help with my detector a few years ago and he said no but I could help dig, LOL, so I was not going to ask him again. After some work, conversations about my finds and some trust building, he invited me to detect the mountain top they are excavating. Just awesome! I did one better and took my Ace 250 along and let the students try detecting, I used my Minelab XT70. One student was very interested and detected with me for several hours. The dig site goes back to the bronze age and is on top of a mountain, many relics are coming up and they have started a museum. My best finds were a knife and a crossbow bolt tip both dating around 800-1000 AD. The student found a crossbow bolt tip as well just a few minutes before I found mine. The site is not easy to detect and most targets are very deep. Here is one of the pits we were digging, it was the base of a castle tower built over a Celtic wall.
<center><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb7/BavariaMike/Aug10/27Aug10Towbase.jpg"></center><p>
One of the volunteers sifting dirt. In the background is part of the Celtic wall where medieval houses also once stood. Found the knife in the upper left area between the rocks.
<center><img src="http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb7/BavariaMike/Aug10/27Aug10Wall.jpg"></center><p>
Here

 

[skippers]

Mike, those are nice pictues and nice finds. Skip

 

[7centsworth]

Man those are some nice finds.

 

[morelic55]

n/t

 

[Beale]

That is so cool to be able to help them at the site! Very good finds, and thanks for all the pictures, Beale.

 

[Digger]

n/t

 

[TURNMASTER]

A castle built over a Celtic wall. Wow you folks have some real old stuff to hunt and dig. I am jelous. Good to see you are still out hitting the old coils and other such stuff.

Jeff

 

[Mick in Dubbo]

You're a lucky guy to have such a detecting opportunity Mike! It's certainly an interesting side to the hobby than straight coin shooting.
thanks for posting the post and pictures.
Mick Evans.

 

[Jack Beam]

You are really lucky to get in on something like this! Great pics! Hope you get to hunt the rest of the area!