Ever wondered where your detector could discover hidden iron treasures? Unearth history and mystery in the world’s best iron-detecting locations, curated just for you!
Iron is one of the key metals that I’ve come across when treasure hunting. But it is always mixed together with other metals or objects.
I was curious about the top locations to find iron treasures since I wanted to earn some money out of my hobby and iron was in demand at that time.
So, I did some research with the help of my fellow detectorists since 2015.
Now with years of experience, here’re the best places to find iron metal detecting,
- Beaches
- Abandoned buildings
- Parks
- Battlefields
- Construction sites
- Farming lands
- Ancient trails and paths
- Dumpsites
- Camping areas
- Backyards and gardens
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
In this article, I’ll explore all the top locations to find iron and I will give you a brief idea of each place and some other things that you might want to learn about iron detecting.
Plus, I’ll answer some frequently asked questions as well.
Let’s jump in!
Best Places To Find Iron In Metal Detecting
Now I’m going to share a brief summary of each and every place where I’ve got to find a lot of iron.
Tip: First of all make sure your metal detector is capable of detecting iron and adjust its settings accordingly!
I’ve practiced each and every location that discuss below and was able to find lots of iron treasures such as coins, rings, artifacts, and other items.
Just keep reading!
1. Beaches
Beaches are famous places for people to lose things. And also, everything from the shipwrecks gathers on the coastline.
And most of the structures made near the beaches are made out of iron.
So there’s a good chance to find a lot of iron on the beaches. Most of them will be large objects.
Even though beaches are public, you have to get permission from the authorities. It is also recommended to skip the days that are busy.
Choose a weekday as people don’t gather at the beaches much on these days.
2. Abandoned Buildings
Buildings that are not used for years and left behind are the best places to find iron.
Old buildings have furnaces, cookers, and other machinery that are completely made out of iron.
Some old buildings might also be completely demolished in order to reconstruct them.
This debris will have a lot of iron. And also there will be old iron artifacts which are valuable.
Make sure to inform the owners or the local authorities in order to get permission and make them aware.
3. Parks
Playgrounds and picnic areas of parks have a high potential of having iron objects.
There will also be historically valuable objects buried underneath the parks. These will be antique and you’ll be able to sell them for a good deal.
Parks are also run by public authorities.
So you will have to inform them before detecting. Non-rush hours are the best for detecting the place.
4. Battlefields
A battlefield should be quite old in order to do a beneficial detection.
So before you do detection on a battlefield it is recommended to do a thorough search of its history.
5. Construction Sites
Construction sites have a lot of iron around them. The older it is, the more iron it will have.
Learn about the site. Look how older it is. And find what type of construction occurred there.
Look for the excavated places. These places probably have a lot of iron objects.
Talk to the owners of the site before going or doing research. They will support you for sure.
6. Farming Lands
Most of the farm equipment like plows, cultivators, harrows, and even fences are made out of iron.
By the time when they get worn or damaged, they will be replaced. Most of the farms bury their own dump.
So it’s easy to find these old objects from around the farm.
Get information from the farming owners where they dump things or store unwanted stuff.
This will help you a lot to understand what type of objects you are able to detect.
7. Ancient Trails and Paths
Old wagons and vehicles used to travel on these paths.
There might be things that are lost by these vehicles on the way that are made of iron.
Look for old maps and search the old trails and paths around the area. Some of these places now must be owned by different people.
Go in person to them and talk in order to get permission. Explain to them your work.
These areas will have a lot of potential for finding old artifacts from vehicles, wagons, and carts.
8. Dumpsites
Dumpsites are locations where all sorts of garbage is dumped.
These places have waste that includes metal scraps and debris.
Iron can be commonly found here because even the waste from construction is brought here to dump.
Also iron can come from old vehicles, old appliances, old buildings and other artifacts.
With a proper investigation, it will be easy to find iron objects within this area. Ask for permission and help from the officers.
They know which places have most of the metal items. This will also reduce the time that has to be spent on finding the locations.
9. Camping Areas
Camps have a lot of items made from iron as they are durable and will last long.
The oldest campgrounds will have old objects that are worn out and cannot be used anymore.
Chairs, tables, cooking utensils, and other camping tools are usually made from iron.
So there is a big chance of finding something precious.
Ask the owners about the spots where they used to dump garbage.
They will even tell you what is buried there. Ask for permission and do your investigation.
10. Backyards and Gardens
People used to decorate their gardens and backyards beautifully in order to make it their comfort zone.
Chairs, benches, tables, figurines, sculptures, and other decorations are mostly used to make it look elegant.
Most of them are made from iron because they will last longer than anything else.
However, these items will corrode over time and people will throw them aside or keep them on a side or bury them in their backyards.
So if you come across an old backyard, it will be a lucky place to find some precious objects made from iron.
Talk with the owners of the house and they will probably let you in. And some of them might be kind enough to even offer you a cup of tea!
Since you already gathered the information about the general places where you can find iron, let’s spread the wings.
Now I’m going to share with you some of the best states where I was lucky to find many iron treasures.
I’ve been to many of the below states and was able to find iron treasures from the general areas discussed above from each state.
The Best Places In The USA To Detect Iron When Metal Detecting
I have been to some places in the USA to detect metals. And I often came across finding iron in these places.
I’ll share some places with you that will have iron in common.
1. Pennsylvania
This is a historically significant state. The place is popular for having major civil wars and military camps.
Therefore, this place has many artifacts including bullets, soldier equipment, military equipment, and other objects which are so valuable.
2. Nevada
This is a mining town that has a long history.
Even though the space is popular in gold and silver mining, there will be a lot of iron objects and equipment that have been used in mining buried underground.
Some of these will be highly valuable.
3. Massachusetts
This place is famous for being a big part of the American Revolution and owns a lot of historically valuable sites.
So the place might have a lot of buried and hidden iron artifacts.
4. Louisiana
The history of Louisiana dates back to the colonial era.
So there will be a lot of iron artifacts. The city is also famous for trading.
I haven’t been there personally but some of my fellow hobbyists went and found some precious iron-made artifacts.
5. Arizona
The Sonoran desert in Arizona has a history with its ancestors.
They used arrowheads and some other equipment made out of iron. It is still believed that this place still has them buried underground.
Arizona is also famous for mining. And these areas will still have the left-out equipment that is used for mining.
6. Virginia
This city was once the capital of the colonial era. Virginia owns a number of historic properties.
This is also the place where the first English colony in America was established.
So there will be a lot of artifacts buried in the ground that are related to colonial history and revolution.
7. Texas
The city is famous for being a major military outpost.
So there will be a lot of iron-based military equipment and artifacts that are based on the history of the city.
8. South Carolina
During the colonial American era, this place was famous as a port city and had a major port.
There may be historically valuable objects around the area that will tell about the maritime history of the region.
9. Washington
The place has a great history of the Klondike gold rush. And the city has a lot of places related to mining.
So these places will have the ancient used equipment in mining.
It is important to do thorough research and obtain the necessary permits in order to do the detection without getting into trouble.
Each of the states and cities has their own rules and regulations. So better watch out for them!
If you’re from my international audience or if you’re seeking to find iron treasures by traveling around the world, the next section is for you!
The Best Places In The World To Do Iron Detecting
Now I’m going to share with you the best countries to detect iron treasures.
I’ve been to some of them and other details were gathered from my friendly detectorists who live in those countries.
Here I’m providing some information on some best countries where you can perform iron metal detection.
1. England
Since England is very rich in history, it is very popular among hobbyists and professionals.
I’ve been to England several times for various metal detecting sessions organized by different organizations and my private events and was able to find many of the iron treasures from historic sites since England has such a fascinating history!
The country has amazing sites that have a lot of artifacts and significant finds.
2. Egypt
This is a famous destination with a lot of ancient artifacts and relics. It is recorded that hobbyists have found a lot of objects.
There will be certain strict rules and limitations in taking the found objects out of the country.
3. Italy
Italys’ culture is significant and it runs back to the Roman Empire.
The place is rich in history and it is believed that still there are precious iron objects and artifacts buried in the ground.
4. Israel
Israel has a lot of archeological sites that have yielded a lot of historical artifacts. It is believed to be a treasure trove.
It is also one of the famous hotspots among hobbyists.
5. Russia
Russia holds a lot of ancient treasures and relics that are made out of iron.
The archeological sites are the best evidence of where most of the artifacts are found.
6. Japan
Japan has a very famous history for samurai swords. These are very sharp and durable. In ancient times, these were made from the best iron ores.
These swords are highly prized and considered valuable findings.
Special permission should be taken to detect these artifacts and if something is found, you should hand it over to the relevant authorities.
They will reward you for that.
What Is The Depth That Metal Detectors Can Detect Iron?
The depth of iron object detection depends on factors such as the size and shape of the iron object and the type and quality of the metal detector.
Entry-level, single-frequency metal detectors can detect iron objects at a depth of 8-10 inches below the ground.
More advanced detectors, however, can detect even the smallest iron objects located at the depths of the earth.
Mineralization of the soil and environmental conditions such as rain can also affect the probability of finding an iron object.
But with high potential detectors and unique settings, these challenges can be overcome.
If you’re interested to learn more about detection depths, read my comprehensive guide about, How Deep Can a Metal Detector Detect?
Well, this is all I know about the best places to find iron metal detecting’. Some of them are my own experiences and others are experiences of fellow hobbyists.
As of 2023, nearly 75% of historical iron artifacts recovered in the UK were discovered in previously undisturbed rural landscapes, revealing their potential as iron treasure hotspots.
historicengland.org.uk
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Can you find iron treasures on the beach?
Yes, beaches are popular for losing things and collecting debris from shipwrecks, and many structures near beaches are made of iron, making them ideal spots to find iron treasures.
Is permission required to metal detect in public places like beaches and parks?
Yes, generally, it’s necessary to get permission from the respective authorities or owners before metal detecting in public areas.
Is iron magnetic?
Yes. Iron is strongly magnetic and it can also be magnetized to create a permanent magnet.
Is steel made out of iron?
Yes. It is an alloy made out of iron and carbon.
Does iron corrode?
Yes. Iron is highly reactive with oxygen. In the presence of moist air, it can rust easily and get corroded.
Can iron be found in pure forms?
No. Iron is usually found as ores such as hematite or magnetite. It must be mined and extracted to get the pure form of iron.
What types of iron objects can you find in old buildings?
Old buildings often contain iron-rich objects like furnaces, cookers, and machinery, as well as valuable iron artifacts in their debris.
Why are battlefields a good place for finding iron when metal detecting?
Battlefields are excellent sites because they often have a significant history and may contain valuable iron objects like military equipment and artifacts.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Places to Find Iron Metal Detecting?
In this article, I’ve deeply discussed the best places to find iron metal detecting and I’ve specifically mentioned the areas you should search for not only inside the US but also around the world as well.
The best places to find iron when metal detecting include beaches, parks, abandoned buildings, battlefields, construction sites, farming lands, old trails, dumpsites, camping areas, and gardens. States with historical significance like Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Virginia are also prime locations for iron detection in the USA.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
Also, some books helped me on the way to learn things. To make it easy for you, I packed up everything together.
Having more questions? Drop them down below so I can answer you.
Now let’s grab your metal detector, adjust its settings for iron and start hunting iron treasures like a pro!
