Unearthing the Past: Metal Detectorists Strike Gold at Old Homestead Sites

Artifacts from Old Homesteads: A Treasure Trove for Metal Detectorists

Old homesteads are a treasure trove of historical and archaeological artifacts that offer valuable glimpses into the past. From metal objects to pottery, glassware to coins, these remnants of human activity can tell us a lot about the lifestyles, habits, and preferences of our ancestors. For metal detectorists looking for unique finds and challenging hunts, old homestead sites can be an exciting destination.

Here are some common artifacts you might find when detecting on an old homestead site:

1. Coins

Coins are one of the most commonly found items at old homestead sites. They were used as currency for daily transactions and often dropped or lost in the process. You may come across silver coins such as dimes or quarters which were typically minted before 1965 when they contained 90% silver rather than today’s copper-nickel mixture. Other interesting finds include Indian Head pennies (1859-1909), Buffalo nickels (1913-38), Wheat pennies (1909-1958) and even Spanish colonial coins dating back centuries.

2. Buttons

Buttons made from brass, tin, bone or other materials were essential clothing accessories in earlier times. Detecting buttons on old homestead sites can provide insight into fashion trends during different periods in history.

3. Buckles

Buckles used to fasten shoes or belts are often found near the foundations of older homesites where people disrobed their footwear before entering their dwellings.

4. Jewelry

Jewelry is another fascinating artifact often discovered at old homestead sites—rings with gemstones or simple bands made from gold/silver; bracelets crafted out of precious metals; necklaces fashioned from beads carved out of stone/glass/wood etc.; earrings shaped like flowers/birds/animals etc., all serve as testament to individual tastes & styles.

5. Glassware

Glass bottles and jars were widely used for storing food, medicine, and other items in the past. They come in different shapes (round, square, rectangular) and sizes (small to large). The shape of the bottle or jar can help you determine its original contents. For example, if a glass container has a narrow neck with a wide base, it was likely used for storing pickles or other preserved foods.

6. Pottery

Pottery shards are frequently found on old homestead sites as they were commonly used for cooking vessels, plates and bowls which have since broken over time through everyday use or accidents.

7. Tools

Tools such as hammers, saws; chisels etc., were essential to daily life on an old homestead site so it’s not unusual to discover them while metal detecting in such locations.

8 .Weapons

Old homestead sites may also yield weapons from earlier periods like musket balls (lead ammunition fired by flintlock rifles) – evidence of early hunting practices- or even Civil War-era bullets & bayonets if the location is close enough to any battlegrounds.

9. Farm Implements

Farming tools including sickles scythes plows etc., could be present at these sites indicating that agriculture played an important role in these areas once upon a time.

Conclusion:

Metal detecting at old homestead sites offers metal detectorists a unique opportunity to discover valuable artifacts that have been lost for centuries. These finds offer us insight into how people lived their lives back then giving us context about history we might not otherwise know about! Be sure when scouting out potential locations that you get permission from property owners before setting foot on private land!