Every Signal Has a Story: The Find That Started With a Feeling 

Some discoveries begin with a clear signal. Others begin long before the detector ever sounds. 

For Minelab Detexpert Colin Ashcroft, one memorable discovery started with a feeling and his MANTICORE®.

It was meant to be his final dig of 2025, a charity search organised by History Unearthed in Norfolk, England. The area was rspecial was waiting beneath the surface. 

The night before the dig, that feeling only grew stronger. "My mind played through the scenario of finding an Anglo-Saxon penny or strap-end," Colin recalls. "We can all dream, right?" As it turned out, that dream wasn't far from reality. ich in Saxon, Medieval and Norman history, and Colin couldn't shake the feel

When Colin arrived at the site the next morning with his MANTICORE in hand, one moment stood out before he had even switched on his detector.

Two deer crossed the field ahead of him. For Colin, that was a good sign. 

"I always seem to do well if I'm lucky enough to see deer while I'm out detecting," he says.

The field itself looked promising. Modern rubbish was surprisingly scarce, although patches of iron suggested there had once been activity across the site. While many detectorists spread out across the surrounding fields, Colin held back.

Something about the first field felt right. Rather than following everyone else, he trusted his instinct. 

Not long after beginning his search, Colin received a solid signal. 

Carefully recovering the target, he immediately noticed the beautiful patina covering the object. As more dirt fell away, an intricate design began to appear. 
Then came the realisation. He was looking at a Saxon strap-end. 
For any detectorist, it's the kind of discovery that instantly raises your pulse. You're holding an object that hasn't seen daylight for centuries, knowing there's a story waiting to be uncovered

Rather than rushing to clean the find, Colin reached out to fellow detectorist Derek Mclennon, sharing a photograph of the artefact. 
The response was immediate. "Yes, 100% mate, beautiful find." 
Derek also advised Colin to clean the object carefully, noting that traces of niello inlay could still be hidden beneath the remaining soil. 
Back home, Colin gently cleaned the strap-end, revealing an intricate zoomorphic design that had remained concealed for hundreds of years. The decoration, believed to date to the 9th century, transformed an exciting discovery into something even more remarkable. 
The signal had revealed far more than just an old object. It had uncovered a connection to England's Anglo-Saxon past. 

Further research added another chapter to the story. 
According to expert Adam Staples, the design is East Anglian in style, derived from the Trewhiddle artistic tradition, and most likely depicts a wolf or dog. The animal's head, complete with eyes and ears, can still be distinguished within the intricate decoration. 
Colin also found research by Bob Green on Anglo-Saxon strap-ends, suggesting the piece could be attributed to the Thomas Class 1 Type 5 category. This style is recognised for its zoomorphic artwork featuring silver wire interlacing and niello inlay. These characteristics make the artefact particularly significant to both detectorists and historians. 
What started as a single signal had become a fascinating journey through history. 

Metal detecting is about much more than the objects we recover. Every signal represents a decision to investigate, a moment of curiosity and the possibility of uncovering a forgotten piece of history. 
Sometimes the story is personal. Sometimes it's historical. Sometimes, as Colin's discovery shows, it's both. 
His instinct led him to remain in the first field. A single signal revealed an Anglo-Saxon strap-end that had remained hidden for well over a thousand years. Through careful recovery, thoughtful research and a passion for history, that discovery became far more than a memorable find. It became another chapter in the story of the landscape itself. 
That's what makes this hobby so rewarding. You never know what the next signal might reveal.

Every detectorist has a memorable signal. Some reveal incredible artefacts, others uncover family keepsakes, and some simply create a day you'll never forget. 
Get outdoors, enjoy the adventure and see where your next signal takes you. Then share your story and your favourite finds with Minelab for the opportunity to be featured in a future Every Signal Has a Story spotlight.