New Land Dig – Sunday 13th July
Some digs start with familiarity, but this one began with mystery. A fresh permission opened up 70 acres of new land, ready for exploration.
The Land
The two fields chosen for the day stood out straight away — sitting at over 5 metres elevation, noticeably higher than much of the surrounding farmland, which usually lies closer to 3.5 metres. Their position made them the closest part of the estate to The Wash, a reminder that this ground has always stood a little apart from the rest. Higher, drier, and more defensible, it had the feel of land that people might have favoured in centuries past.
First Impressions
Parking was easy, the access was excellent, and spirits were high as detectorists spread out across the fields. There’s a certain thrill in stepping onto a site with no established record of finds — the unknown brings its own kind of energy.
The Unknown
With no expectations other than curiosity, the mood was summed up simply: “Let’s see what it does.”
Southlincs Searcher’s Silver Spur
The day got off to a shining start when Southlincs Searcher unearthed a silver spur from the new field. A rare and eye-catching discovery, the piece immediately set the tone, hinting at the history lying beneath these untouched acres.
Dominic Jepson’s Finds
After covering three fields, Dominic Jepson pulled together a neat collection of items, including a small spoon, coin, and other intriguing bits. It was proof that the ground had stories to tell, even in unexpected places.
Allan Carr’s Mix of History
Allan Carr showcased a tidy set of finds from the day’s dig — a coin, buckle, and other interesting metalwork. Each piece added another layer to the puzzle of the land’s past.
Pete Jepson’s Surprise Bird
Pete Jepson had a standout find: a decorative bird figure that only revealed its detail after cleaning. “Today’s finds several buttons and this surprise bird,” he shared. Adam Hall later chimed in, noting it looked very similar to Charles Horner’s Victorian brooches. A fascinating conversation piece!
Sam Roberts’ Mystery Item
Sam Roberts uncovered one of the day’s most mysterious objects — a heavy, unusual item marked with a cross. “Found this at today’s dig strange item… quite heavy too… has a cross on it,” Sam wrote, sparking plenty of speculation.
Other Finds & Final Thoughts
Buttons, buckles, and other small objects filled many finds pouches, showing that the new land holds plenty of potential. From decorated pieces to curious mysteries, every detectorist walked away with something to remember the day by.
Overall, the first outing on this estate gave us more than just history in our pockets — it gave us a sense of anticipation for what else might lie waiting in the soil.
