Gravel Parking Lot

[Opticman]

OK, found a 100 year old building , was a school house, then a church, now antique store which is closing. The ground surrounding the main building has a gravel surface. Sadly, very little exposed ground but some grassy strips near perimeter of property. My question is concerning the gravel covered areas. They used small, gray colored stone gravel which has probably been there for at least 20 years, Pretty hard packed but from what I saw tonite (it was dark) it may not be deep.

Can I detect this area and actually get signals? Is the potential mineral content of the gravel an issue. I have no idea at this time how far I would have to dig down to get to dirt.

Any one have experience detecting an old gravel parking lot?

Optic

 

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[Shortstack]

The kind of stones you've described sounds a lot like the gravel used for the loose, top layering of new asphalt streets and parking lots. It's used to protect the asphalt from setting up too fast from the sunshing. Sometimes, that gravel is used to overcoat a graveled parking lot to fill in the potholes with its small size.

The one sure way to check that gravel for "hotrock" status is to get some and scan it, or scan an area with your detector. I don't think it will be a problem.

If you decide to detect the spot, you'll need a small pick/ax to chip through the hardpack. It won't take a bunch of full armed swings to do it. Just use small swings, as you would hammer brads with a Carpenter's hammer. Chip around the target area, not directly ON the target. Then, scoop out the debris.
It'll take more time, but is definitely doable.

Good luck and good hunting.

 

[Coin Digger]

If you use a pick axe make sure you protect your eyes.

I've detected stone lots before and after digging a few I end up just taking the shallow targets.

Also imagine where the people park their cars. As they approach their car to get in at what point do you think they get into their pockets to get out their keys and search those areas.

 

[mick56]

I have had good luck in parking lots. If you go after a good rain, the gravel should be easier to dig.

 

[Shortstack]

I just noticed that you're in Maryland. During the winter, was the snow in that lot ever scrapped out to the sides; into those grass strips? Wellllll........there you go; for starters.

 

[deepskyal]

Sounds like your typical limestone...shouldn't affect your detector at all.

I've detected a parking lot...didn't know it was one until I dug down a few inches in a lawn area and discovered it underneith. Then I started finding coins in the gravel layer.

Turns out what had been the parking area became a grassy area for a shelter and the parking area was moved. Pays to do a little research.

But...be prepared for some beat up looking coins. Most of the ones I found were badly scratched from the gravel.

Al

 

[Old Relic]

The pennies I've found in crushed limestone gravel are usually pretty deteriorated. I figure it's from the lime acting on them; does that sound reasonable?

HH,
Relic

 

[greenswinger]

You will not have any problem finding coins . Problem is digging . Gravel packs hard . past a couple of inches digging will be tough !!!!!!!!!!

 

[deepskyal]

Don't take much to eat a zinc coin...yea, limestone will eat at it...and aluminum...but probably not enough to make the pull tabs disappear. At least not in our lifetime.

Al

 

[minton7]

I guess I would try it... but probably only dig the quarter signals.... which would be either quarters or silver... gravel sux to dig in... just my opinion

Randy

 

[Born2Dtect]

I love gravel and dirt parking lots. My first gold diamond ring came from one. You can do well in one, especially a bar parking lot. The larger the better. You may not be able to dig all the signals, but even if you are limited to a couple of inches, it is worth it. I never pass up the easy pickings a little competition of a parking lot.

 

[Old Relic]

I love gravel and dirt parking lots.

I think that, in the interest of conserving petroleum resources, paving parking lots should be illegal. Think of all that additional acreage available to hunt!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Relic