Metal Detectors Increase Chances of Finding Treasure at Dump Sites

by guest author, Michael Bernzweig

Dumpdigging is all about finding “diamonds in the rough.” As the saying goes… when diamonds are extracted from mines, they don't look very pretty. An expert with many years of training and experience has to cut the diamond and polish it so that it looks beautiful and is valuable. A raw diamond looks like a lump of salt! The same goes for relics, old bottles, coins and buried treasure. Knowledgeable bottle diggers, coin and relic hunters can take what looks like pure junk, clean it up and voila! Now, it’s treasure that can be collected, traded and sold. Here are some tips on dump digging with a metal detector for Dump Diggers readers from industry professional Michael Bernzweig of MetalDetector.com.

The Makro Jeo Hunter 3D is shown being used in a field for recovering deeply buried relics. This two box style metal detector is the detector of choice for locating buried treasures and caches at extreme depth.

It takes a special breed of person to be an exceptional treasure hunter at old dump sites. One has to have curiosity, a positive attitude, perseverance and patience. But the payoff can be huge. When you read the stories of the dump diggers here, you’ll probably want to find a site and start digging. After all, there’s treasure to be unearthed. It’s amazing to think about all of the treasure caches and hoards (large containers filled with valuables) that people buried many moons ago and never retrieved. With a deep penetrating metal detector, you can dig up this treasure even if it’s far underground.

What Can You Search for at a Dump Site?

Bottle diggers, coin and relic hunters rely on metal detectors to uncover buried treasure, according to Michael Bernzweig of MetalDetector.com. The finds above came from a Buffalo camp ground site.

There are several types of dump sites to explore, as well as old home sites. As mentioned in the Dumpdiggers article, How to Find Old Dumps, there’s the town dump, farm dump, camp dump (which can prove especially lucrative), privy pit and more. At these sites, you may be able to uncover many antique bottles: milk bottles, beer and liquor bottles, poison, perfume and ink bottles.

If you’re searching for a treasure cache or hoard, keep your ear open for the ‘lore.’ Get the facts from an old-timer about where and what things are allegedly buried based on rumor and legend. Next, try to guesstimate how far down the treasure is located. Many times, treasure and relics are buried far beneath the earth in large containers. In order for these to be recovered, you will need deep seeking metal detectors.

Which Metal Detectors and Equipment Locate Relics and Buried Treasure?

Luckily, bottle digging and treasure hunting require relatively low start-up costs that can be recouped with a few good recoveries. Metal detectors for relic hunting are designed for specific objects and surfaces. If the soil you’re hunting in has heavy mineralization, choose a detector that features a ground adjust or ground balance control. Another consideration is the frequency of the detector. Many relics are produced from iron, brass and steel. A detector with a lower frequency will better target relics than a detector with a higher one.

When you are treasure hunting deep beneath the earth, you’ll need "underground eyes". A two-box metal detector can penetrate the earth using special search coils that transmit signals. Once the signal reaches the treasure, it bounces back to the metal detector, which pinpoints the location. And some deep seeking metal detectors serve dual purposes—they target metal targets as well as voids in the ground.

You will need to invest in a few digging tools for serious treasure hunting. Metal detecting trowels, shovels and specialty knives are just a few of the accessories that can assist with deeper yet delicate recoveries. There is a wealth of treasure to be found. Who knows, your next dig with a metal detector might unearth the best find of your years digging!

About the author: Michael Bernzweig manages MetalDetector.com in Southborough, MA. He has written extensively on the subject of metal detecting since the mid 1980’s. He has traveled world-wide in his pursuit of educating, exploring and advising others in the proper use of metal detectors.  Outside of the business he enjoys mentoring students, being involved in the community and spending time with his family.