Metal detecting is an exciting hobby that can lead to unexpected discoveries and treasures hidden in plain sight. While many enthusiasts often think of beaches, parks, and historical sites as prime locations to search for buried treasures, there are plenty of overlooked spots closer to home that may yield surprising finds. In this article, we’ll explore some unexpected places in your own backyard, literally and metaphorically, where you can use a metal detector to uncover hidden treasures.
1. Your Own Backyard
The first and most obvious place to start your metal detecting adventure is right in your own backyard. You might be surprised to find out that your seemingly ordinary yard has a rich history waiting to be uncovered. Here are some hot spots to search in your yard:
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Old Flower Beds
Previous owners may have buried items such as garden tools, planters, or even small sculptures in old flower beds. Metal detecting around these areas can lead to interesting finds. -
Tree Roots
Treasure hunters often overlook the area around tree roots. However, these areas can be hiding spots for coins, jewelry, and other small items that have been lost or intentionally buried over time. -
Property Lines
The edges of your property, especially if it’s an older home, might hold hidden treasures. Old property markers, fence posts, or even discarded items from previous owners can be found along property lines.
2. Neighborhood Parks
Your neighborhood park may seem like an obvious choice for metal detecting, but many treasure hunters overlook these areas because they assume that everything valuable has already been found. However, parks are constantly evolving spaces, with new landscaping, playground equipment, and other additions being added or removed over time. This constant change makes them ideal places to search for hidden treasures. Here are some hot spots to search in your local park:
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Playgrounds
Children often lose or misplace toys and other small items while playing. Metal detecting around playground equipment, sandboxes, and other popular play areas can lead to the discovery of lost toys, coins, and jewelry. -
Picnic Areas
Picnic areas are another hot spot for finding treasures in parks. People tend to gather and socialize in these areas, increasing the likelihood of lost or discarded items. Be sure to search around picnic tables, grills, and trash cans for hidden treasures. -
Walking Trails
Walking trails in parks see a lot of foot traffic, which means there’s a higher chance of finding lost or discarded items. Search along the edges of trails, around benches, and near any landmarks or points of interest.
3. School Grounds
School grounds, both of your own alma mater and other local schools, can be fruitful places to search for hidden treasures. These areas are often overlooked by treasure hunters because they assume that the grounds have been thoroughly searched by students and staff over the years. However, the constant turnover of students, staff, and visitors to school grounds means that there’s always a chance of finding something new. Here are some hot spots to search on school grounds:
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Playgrounds and Playing Fields
Like neighborhood parks, school playgrounds and playing fields are popular hangout spots for students, making them prime areas to search for lost or discarded items. Be sure to check around equipment, bleachers, and benches for hidden treasures. -
Parking Lots and Bus Stops
Parking lots and bus stops at schools are high-traffic areas where students, staff, and visitors frequently congregate. This increased foot traffic means a higher likelihood of finding lost or discarded items such as coins, keys, and jewelry. -
Outdoor Eating Areas
Schools often have designated outdoor eating areas for students and staff. These areas can be hot spots for finding lost or discarded items such as utensils, containers, and coins. Be sure to search around tables, benches, and trash cans for hidden treasures.
4. Local Cemeteries
Cemeteries may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about metal detecting, but they can hold a wealth of historical treasures. Many older cemeteries contain a variety of metal objects, including headstones, grave markers, and fencing. Be respectful when metal detecting in cemeteries, and always obtain permission from the cemetery caretaker or local authorities before searching. Here are some hot spots to search in a local cemetery:
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Older Sections
The older sections of cemeteries often contain older gravesites with more intricate and valuable metalwork. Look for headstones, grave markers, and fencing that may contain dates or other inscriptions that can help date the items. - Paths and Walkways