Question
Hi, I've just started metal detecting around the Atherton area, could you suggest any good places to go and rules I have to follow.
I have sent you a picture of a fragment of something either brass or bronze, which looks like it has been cast on the other side of the grooves shown. The fragment looks old, it is heavy and strong. I found it where nobody has been for years. Please e mail me back with info.
Answer
This looks a bit weird - I can't identify it. Best thing is to send a picture (by the way it's best to have a ruler next to it for scale) to Nick Herepath who is the Finds Liaison officer for our area. He's bases in Liverpool and his E-mail is nick.herepath@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
A good source of advise for using a metal detector is www.finds.org.uk also the CBA's website (Council for British Archaeology) www.britarch.ac.uk/detecting/index.html
Freshly ploughed fields are usually best but you need to ask permission from the farmer first. (It's also a good idea to agree a percentage split if you do find anything of value otherwise he could claim it all.) If you do find anything of value you most report it as soon as possible so that you get the full market value for it (if it is deemed as Treasure).