Things We Found in the Ground

We Wrote a Book?!

5 years ago, if you asked either one of us where we would be today, we doubt we would’ve answered: published authors. However, metal detecting has turned out to be one of those infectious hobbies that has opened more doors than we ever thought possible.

We started digging as a creative outlet we both sorely needed, at an unexpected junction point in our respective lives, which left us questioning what was next. The answer, as it turned out, was in the ground. Each discovery draws us deeper into a web of Roman emperors, medieval peasants, Tudor fashion, and more stories lost to the soil than we could ever list. Roman Found was created to share these stories, and somehow has brought us here, about to share our biggest yet.

‘Things We Found in the Ground: A Metal Detecting Journey Through Britain’ covers our first three years in the hobby. It’s a personal narrative of the trials, tribulations and joy which came with unlocking a new passion, told alongside a whole host of objects we’ve quite literally found in the ground and the treasured cast of people we’ve met along the way. It’s a guide, but not a guide, a memoir, history book and narrative, all in one, written by us, for detectorists, history enthusiasts, all of you who’ve found yourselves caught in the whirlwind of a new hobby, or looking out into the fields and wondering what was out there, because the answer is always a whole lot more than you think…

10 Things You Can Find in the Ground

Just some of the objects which could be lost in the soil beneath your feet.

1. Coins

Coins have been exchanging hands in Britain for over 2 millennia.

Key Types:

1. Celtic Stater (150 BC–43 AD)

2. Roman Nummus (43–410 AD)

3. Silver Hammered Penny (8th Century–1662 AD)

4. Copper Halfpenny (1672–1860 AD)

2. Buckles

This artefact was introduced into Britain by the Romans.

Key Types:

1. D-Shaped Buckles (1250–1500 AD)

2. Spectacle Buckles (1350–1720 AD)

3. Trapezoidal Buckles (1570–1700 AD)

4. Two Piece Buckles (1660–1800 AD)

3. Horseshoes

A symbol of luck and protection which has a longer history than you may think.

Key Types:

1. Hipposandals (1st–4th Century)

2. Wavy Rimmed Horseshoes (9th–13th Century)

3. Guildhall / Dove Horseshoe (14th–16th Century)

4. Keyhole and Tongue Shoes (17th–19th Century)

4. Buttons

For centuries, people would have quite literally judged you by the buttons on your clothes.

Key Types:

1. Tudor Bronze Buttons (15th–16th Century)

2. Pimple Buttons (15th–17th Century)

3. Tombac Buttons (17th–18th Century)

4. Dandy Buttons (18th Century)

5. Ring Pulls

A detecting classic, and a bitter nemesis.

Key Types:

1. Zip Tab (USA 1962–65)

2. Pull Tab (USA 1965–75 / Europe mid 1960s)

3. Stay-on Tab (USA 1975 onwards / Europe 1989 onwards)

6. Brooches

Beginning life as a practical fastener and closing as a status symbol.

Key Types:

1. La Tene Brooches (4th Century BC–1st Century AD)

2. Roman Bow Brooches (1st–3rd Century AD)

3. Anglo-Saxon Cruciform Brooches (5th–6th Century AD)

4. Medieval Annular Brooches (12th–15th Century)

7. Finger-rings

Going beyond personal decoration, many rings throughout history had more practical uses, even acting as a legal signature.

Key Types:

1. Spiral Finger-rings (200 BC–200 AD)

2. Roman Intaglio Finger-rings (1st–2nd Century)

3. Medieval Stirrup Finger-rings (1150–1500 AD)

4. Signet Finger-rings (15th–17th Century)

8. Ammunition

During the English Civil War lead shot was fired in the tens of thousands across British battlefields.

Key Types:

1. Musket Balls (15th–19th Century)

2. Lead Bullets (1832–1950s)

3. Shotgun Shells (1836 onwards)

4. Airgun Pellets (1905 onwards)

9. Toys

What objects children played with was often a direct reflection of what was important to society at the time.

Key Types:

1. Lead Toy Soldiers (18th Century–1966)

2. Miniature Lead Cooking Utensils (13th–16th Century)

3. Whirligigs (17th–19th Century)

4. Toy Firearms and Cannons (17th–19th Century)

10. Militaria

Many military forces utilise a type of heraldry to foster a sense of belonging and loyalty within their troops.

Key Types:

1. Cap Badges (1897 onwards)

2. Military Buttons (18th Century onwards)

3. Military Medals (1760s onwards)

4. Sweetheart Brooches (1886 onwards)

‘Things We Found in the Ground’ Coming April 2026, Pre-order Available Now!