Global Positioning Systems - An essential tool for the
modern detectorist
Every detectorist should own one. With a global positioning
system (GPS) you can accurately record find spots and then pass
this information on to your local
finds liaison officer.
GPS data is now available on a wide variety of gadgets,
including mobile phones and PDA's, so you don't necessarily
need to invest in a 'stand alone' hand held GPS unit like
the Garmin eTrex picture above.
Buying a Global Positioning System can be a complicated
business, there are dozens of different makes and models on
the market. For the stand alone handheld models, prices
start at around �70 and can run into many hundreds. Garmin
seem to be the most popular manufacturer. Do a lot of
research and read the reviews on sites like amazon before
buying.
Using a Global Positioning System for metal Detecting
Log the position of each coin or artefact with the Global Positioning System, write down the the grid reference on a bit of paper
or post-it note and place the piece of paper in a small polythene grip-seal bag with the coin or artefact. One coin/artefact
and one piece of paper with the grid reference written on it
per bag, once the object and the grid reference are safely
inside, seal the bag shut and put it somewhere safe.
If the ground you are detecting on is damp, its is best to
have grip-seal bags with ventilations holes in on hand. Just
take your grip-seal bags and 'punch' them with an desk top
hole punch, the kind used on A4 paper etc. This will allow the
find to breathe. The holes should, obviously, not be big
enough for the coin/artefact or bit of paper with the GPS grid
reference written on it to fall out and get lost or mixed up.
Pass the sealed bags on to your
finds liaison officer on your next visit to the local
portable antiquities scheme reporting center.
Using a global positioning system for logging
find spots of coins and artefacts is vital to preserving archaeological information for future generations.
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