While looking for ways to pass the time during the pandemic, cousins Lucie Gray and Ellie Bruce, 34 and 26 respectively, tried out a metal detector in their grandfather’s garden. That same day, they found a button from a naval jacket, which piqued their curiosity.
“It made us wonder what other hidden things might be out there,” Gray recalls. She had recently moved from her native New Zealand to Lincoln, England, where her relatives live. Shortly after, having abandoned her plans to work in the fashion industry, she joined her cousin in the family business, specializing in handmade wallpaper. Together, she and Bruce also pursued their new hobby of metal-detecting, sharing their adventures on the Instagram account Roman Found, which boasts a global following. In April, they will publish their book, Things We Found in the Ground (2026). This collection of autobiographical stories explores their personal discoveries alongside collective history, as well as the desire to start “looking beneath the surface.”
The story of these cousins illustrates the recent popularity of metal-detecting, particularly in the U.K., where several TV shows and movies are dedicated to this subculture, such as the BBC series Detectorists and the Netflix film The Dig. What was once considered a somewhat eccentric hobby — generally practiced by retirees with plenty of time on their hands — is now experiencing a surge in popularity among young people. It has even been embraced by skeptics, who once believed that treasures were only found in Indiana Jones movies.
In these times of digital confusion, the idea of the ground beneath our feet feels like a certainty. Coupled with technological advances that simplify the use of machinery, this has contributed to a growing number of enthusiasts of all ages gathering across Britain to search for ancient ducal palaces or ruined castles. The numbers prove this: in 2024, the U.K. recorded its highest number of discoveries (1,540 so-called “treasures”) since official records began to be kept in 1996. And it could be argued that women are contributing significantly to this boom.
Emma Youell, a 34-year-old animator and designer, is one of the administrators of an online forum: the Sassy Searchers Ladies Metal Detecting Tribe. This page offers support, information and contacts for female metal-detecting enthusiasts. “When I started at 22, it was a somewhat intimidating environment,” she recalls. “You’d hear men making comments about women, like, ‘She’s got all the gear, but no knowledge,’” she says. “This Facebook group is a safe space where we help each other. Plus, it’s helped me forge friendships with like-minded people.”
British heritage regulations are relatively permissive regarding metal-detecting, provided that permits are obtained and artifacts are declared on the Portable Antiquities Scheme register, which is managed by the British Museum. This database is consulted and updated by most enthusiasts to contribute to historical knowledge, especially of poorly-documented periods, such as the Iron Age.
When a find is considered to be a “treasure” — that is, an object made of precious metal over 300-years-old, a group of pieces, or a bunch of coins — local museums are given the opportunity to purchase it. If the acquisition goes through, the payment is split between the landowner and the finder. However, most discoveries lack significant monetary value. The motivation of metal-detecting enthusiasts has more to do with historical curiosity and the opportunity to spend time out in nature.
“It combines adventure, mindfulness and exercise, but also a sense of purpose. Finding objects that haven’t been touched for centuries is truly an extraordinary moment of wonder,” explains Miss Detectorist, an artist and videographer. She started metal-detecting as a way to meet people when she moved from Bath to the South Devon coast. “Most people who try this hobby get hooked right away. It has to do with its optimistic nature, as well as the fact that you never know what to expect,” she affirms.
In fact, a beep can signal anything from a soda can to a silver coin, a piece of farm machinery, or a ring. “It’s a very leveling pastime: you can be nine-years-old and find a treasure on your first try — which has happened — or you can be 75-years-old and never have discovered anything truly interesting,” says Miss Detectorist.
As an artist, she prefers to learn about the past through objects and their energy. “I particularly enjoy finding artifacts that have a feminine reference, like a Roman coin with the image of a powerful woman.”
When asked about their most special find, the women interviewed by EL PAÍS mentioned something related to other women. For Gray, it was a Victorian needle case that belonged to a sewing school: the institution helped women find paid work outside of marriage. In Youell’s case, one of her most exciting discoveries was a gold coin from around 60 AD, belonging to the Iceni tribe. Their leader was Boudica, the warrior queen, who led ancient Britain’s rebellion against the Roman Empire. “It’s something that has helped me understand that era better,” she explains.
This connection may be the reason why women are dedicating themselves to metal-detecting more than ever. After all, it’s a way to shed light on women’s history that textbooks don’t teach. And it’s an activity that allows for dialogue between women separated by time, yet connected by the life challenges they face.
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