Can a metal detector find treasure hidden 24inch/60cm underground?

[THE TRUE SEEKER]

In 2014, Derek McLennan, who discovered the Treasure of Galloway in Scotland, detected the hoard hidden at a depth of 60cm/24inch using a CTX 3030.1 However, upon various investigations, the depth at which a metal detector can generally locate objects seems to be around 30cm.

The Herald also states the following:

Mr McLennan found the cross among dozens of silver arm rings and ingots some 24 inches (60 centimetres) below the ground - well beyond the depth his machine should have been able to register.2

Is it really possible to detect treasure hidden at such a great depth?

 

[DizzyDigger]

I believe the difference is in the *volume* of metal that was detected. A single coin at
that depth, no, but put a quantity of highly conductive metals in one spot it could likely
create a return signal that registers.

 

[AU Seeker]

To first answer your question, it is possible to detect something that deep if it's big and solid enough and with the right metal detector, that detector probably not but still possible if all conditions are right, with a high end PI detector no problem with what was in the ground there.

BUT.......

What he initially found was not as deep, not sure how deep but not 24", here's some info from Wikipedia....
"He was accompanied by two churchmen, Rev Dr. David Bartholomew and Pastor Mike Smith, who were also metal detector enthusiasts.
The trio had permission to search the site, which McLennan had been investigating for more than a year, and he found a silver object, which turned out to be an arm ring, after an hour's searching. According to McLennan, "initially I didn't understand what I had found because I thought it was a silver spoon and then I turned it over and wiped my thumb across it and I saw the saltire-type of design and knew instantly it was Viking."
He ran over to Bartholomew, shouting "Viking!""

Then it goes on to say....

"The find was reported to Scotland's Treasure Trove Unit and a county archaeologist, Andrew Nicholson, undertook an excavation with McLennan's assistance. They dug further and found a collection of artefacts at a depth of 60 cm (24 in)."

Here's link to the info.

Galloway Hoard - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[sibbley]

If the hoard was fairly large, I would say yes. Generally, the larger the item the greater the depth. I can hit my septic d-box buried greater than 3 feet with all of my detectors. Sounds like the hoard was consolidated in a single large silver vessel.

From the article at the link: "The hoard consists of objects including armbands, a Christian cross, brooches, ingots, glass beads, a gold-encased touchstone and dirt-balls containing flecks of gold and bone, all in a silver vessel."

 

[jeff of pa]

Yes !

Laying on my side in Lake Mud with My face(cheek) in the mud, Arm in a Hole (approximtly 22")
and a Long handle Scoop To Reach Farther Probably another 6 to 8" I Pulled out Steel Cone top Yuengling Cans (12 oz & 16oz) & other Brands, Detected with My Sovereign & W.O.T. Coil

That was a 1999 Detector.

So Absolutely a 3030 Should out-do it

 

[AU Seeker]

If the hoard was fairly large, I would say yes. Generally, the larger the item the greater the depth. I can hit my septic d-box buried greater than 3 feet with all of my detectors. Sounds like the hoard was consolidated in a single large silver vessel.

From the article at the link: "The hoard consists of objects including armbands, a Christian cross, brooches, ingots, glass beads, a gold-encased touchstone and dirt-balls containing flecks of gold and bone, all in a silver vessel."

But the deciding factor here is the size of individual pieces, that why chains are so hard to detect the detector can't detect all the links together as a whole it can only detect them separately.
There's no mention of the size of any of the items, but I would guess the silver vessel had to be of good size so it most likely would of been detectable.

 

[jeff of pa]

btw Fresh Buried Items & Air Tests are a Waste of time .
Your Detector Is Not made for that purpose.
Coins do not float in the air & detectors Not only detect metal, they
also detect the type of Conditions they are buried,

I was disappointed detecting a Quarter I buried at about 6"
the first day in my yard. it couldn't find it !

But Found older dimes & Pennies Much Deeper When I went to the Park

 

[ARC]

I still don't why detectors are often called a "machine".... :/
Beings it is CLEARLY NOT a machine.
It IS a "device".
Not sure who or what or where this crazy talk began.

Anyhoo.... to answer your question.... yes.
Larger items OR higher conductive items... along with soil comp and temp and moisture and and and....
Will and can be hit.

I personally cannot begin the list of items that hit at OVER 24 inches.... IF,,,, repeat IF..... conditions and settings are nominal.

 

[ARC]

PS.....
Frig there are a few detectors where 24 inches is child's play.

My Pulse 8x on ferrous metal will nail things at religiously 3+ foot.

IF...
You use a skid on the 8X..... heh...... um..........
bring a good shovel... gloves...
call off anything for at least a day after...
and make sure you have some pain reliever...
for you are going to be really sore.

Nothing like digging what could be used for your own grave...
just for that possible treasure...
that is more likely just a tin can.

 

[jeff of pa]

And YES Like a detetor will try to detet each Link on a Chain Seperately.

If there is a pile of coins togther, The detector Will Try to Detect each one, So your gonna get a Crappy signal that you may not be able to Pinpoint, All you can do is Dig Crappy Signals to find out if a Bunch of
Trash or coins . or Move away and try to Sneak in from the edge in hopes you can find them Seperately. A mason Jar would Most Likely be easy because if the Lid , If Buried Upright ,
I Honestly Think if a Pot was filled with coins, Unless it has a Lid,
Will most likely Give a Crappy signal with the coin, or Edge or the Pot closest to the coil Trying to let the detector snag it, and the rest Interfearing.
Thats One of those Unknowns Till You detect & Dig One

The Small cache I found wasn't Deep But took 2 days to Seperate & Dig each Coin because of the Tin Bits & Rusty Ground from the Tobacco Tin & the Wrench

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

The bigger and denser the metal target the deeper it can be seen, the larger the coil the deeper it can detect.

 

[Gare]

The size of the item has a great deal with the depth it can be detected
Just do a test on how far your detector can beep at your car hood

 

[Chilli]

In 2014, Derek McLennan, who discovered the Treasure of Galloway in Scotland, detected the hoard hidden at a depth of 60cm/24inch using a CTX 3030.1 However, upon various investigations, the depth at which a metal detector can generally locate objects seems to be around 30cm.

The Herald also states the following:



Is it really possible to detect treasure hidden at such a great depth?

I have detected pick heads and axe heads on our Australian goldfields easy 3 foot deep using Pulse Induction Minelab gold detectors. Lets say to give an idea, a coke can at 3 foot is about right no problems.