Exploring old cellar holes with a metal detector is like stepping back in time. These forgotten foundations of 18th- and 19th-century homes often hold layers of history waiting to be uncovered. From coins and tools to personal keepsakes, the treasures hidden below ground offer a direct connection to the past.

What Makes Old Cellar Holes a Hotspot for Metal Detecting?

Old cellar holes are among the most exciting and productive locations for metal detecting. These sunken remains of early homes are not just empty depressions—they are time capsules. Dating back to the 1700s or 1800s, many of these sites saw decades of daily life, trade, and hardship, leaving behind a rich mix of relics beneath the soil.

Cellar holes were typically associated with rural homesteads, and although the wooden structures above them may have rotted away, metal objects and artifacts often remain. Families worked, played, ate, stored goods, and sometimes even buried their valuables near these foundations.

Here’s why cellar holes are such a magnet for detectorists:

• High Activity Zones: These were once the busiest parts of the homestead—people cooked, cleaned, and gathered here, increasing the chance of dropped or discarded items.
• Artifact Variety: In a small area, everything from coins and buttons to tools, spoons, and horse tack may be found.
• Undisturbed Soil: Many cellar holes are now deep in forests or on forgotten farmland, untouched by modern development or landscaping.
• Historical Relevance: Items from cellar holes often reflect the period and lifestyle of the early settlers or farmers who once lived there.
• Nearby Hotspots: Surrounding areas, such as wells, barns, outhouses, trash pits, and footpaths, can yield additional finds.
• Possibility of Hidden Caches: During times of war, unrest, or financial stress, families have occasionally buried valuables near their homes, some of which remain undiscovered to this day.

Key Takeaway: Ancient basement holes are treasure troves where commonplace objects that have been forgotten throughout time still rest just below the surface, just waiting to be discovered by a vigilant and inquisitive detectorist.

How to Identify and Locate Cellar Holes in the Woods

Locating cellar holes is the first and most crucial step to a successful metal detecting outing. While these sites were once part of bustling homesteads, many are now hidden beneath decades—or even centuries—of forest growth, brush, and erosion. Thankfully, you can still locate them if you have the appropriate resources and techniques.

Start with Historical Research

Before heading into the woods, do your homework. Old maps, land records, and aerial photographs are among the most effective tools for locating lost cellar holes.

• Historic Landowner Maps: Look for 18th- and 19th-century maps that show building locations and family names. These maps often include homesteads, mills, and roads that are no longer in existence.
• Overlay Old Maps with Modern Ones: Utilize free or paid mapping tools to overlay historical maps on satellite imagery, pinpointing potential sites.
• Town Archives and Historical Societies often hold rare maps, land deeds, and personal accounts that can lead to forgotten homesites.
• Online Resources: Use websites like Historic Map Works, USGS Earth Explorer (for lidar maps), and NETR Online to compare terrain features.

Know What to Look for in the Field

Once you’re on location, identifying a cellar hole involves spotting subtle features in the landscape. Many will appear as shallow pits or unusual depressions, but a trained eye can distinguish them from natural dips in the ground.

Look for these key features:

• Rectangular or Square Depressions: These are often 10–20 feet across, sometimes with stone or brick outlining the perimeter.
• Moss-Covered Stone Foundations: Partial walls, chimney bases, or cellar steps are strong indicators of a former structure.
• Old Wells or Cisterns: Nearby water sources are often found in conjunction with cellar holes and may be visible as stone-lined shafts or circular depressions.
• Rock Piles and Stone Walls: Farmers moved rocks to create fields, and stone boundary lines often led toward old homesteads.
• Flat Areas on Slopes: A leveled patch on a hillside may indicate the presence of an old home site.
• Remnants of Roads or Paths: Faint trails or unnatural clearings in the woods can hint at access routes to old cellar holes.

Use Modern Tools to Your Advantage

• Lidar Maps: These highlight subtle elevation changes and artificial shapes beneath forest canopies.
• GPS Apps: Apps like OnX Hunt or Gaia GPS help you mark potential sites and navigate to them more precisely.
• Compass and Topographic Maps: Useful for off-grid areas where cell signals are weak or nonexistent.

Key Takeaway: Combining historical research with sharp observation skills and modern mapping tools can help you uncover hidden cellar holes—quiet remnants of forgotten lives that are now waiting to be explored.

Must-Have Gear for Detecting Around Cellar Holes

Detecting around old cellar holes requires more than just enthusiasm. These sites are often rugged, overgrown, and remote, so having the right equipment can make your trip more efficient, comfortable, and successful. The right gear will help you locate targets more accurately, dig with ease, and stay safe in unpredictable terrain.

Metal Detector

The primary component of your setup is the metal detector. Select one that performs well in variable soil conditions and has good discrimination settings to minimize trash digging.

• Recommended Features:
  • Iron discrimination to avoid nails and junk
  • Adjustable sensitivity for mineralized ground
  • Waterproof or weather-resistant coil (for damp ground)
  • Depth indicator for gauging how deep to dig
• Popular Models:
  • Garrett AT Pro: Durable and great for relic hunting
  • Minelab Equinox 800: Excellent target separation and depth
  • XP Deus II: Lightweight, wireless, and fully customizable

Pinpointer

A handheld pinpointer makes target recovery much faster, especially in root-filled, rocky terrain common near cellar holes.

• Why You Need One:
  • Locates the exact spot of a target after digging
  • Saves time and reduces soil disturbance
  • Ideal for small or deep objects
• Top Picks:
  • Garrett Pro-Pointer AT
  • Minelab Pro-Find 35

Digging Tools

You’ll be doing a lot of digging—often in hard-packed or root-covered soil—so durable, ergonomic tools are essential.

• Long-Handled Shovel:
  • Look for a shovel with a narrow blade and a strong handle
  • Serrated edges help cut through roots and tough ground
  • Examples: Lesche Sampson, Predator Tools Raptor
• Hand Digger or Trowel:
  • Great for shallow or precise digs
  • Reinforced blades reduce bending or breaking
  • Examples: Nokta Premium Digger, Lesche Digging Tool

Safety and Comfort Gear

Cellar holes are often off-trail and surrounded by natural hazards, such as thorns, insects, or unstable ground. Being prepared keeps you safe and lets you detect longer.

• Gloves: Keep your hands away from rough soil and sharp objects.
• Kneepads: Useful for digging on rocky ground
• Sturdy Boots: Waterproof and with ankle support for uneven terrain
• Bug Spray and Sunscreen: Essential for long hours outdoors
• Hat and Lightweight Long-Sleeve Shirt: Shield yourself from the sun and insects

Other Useful Accessories

• Find a Pouch or Bag: Store coins, relics, and trash separately
• Trash Bag: Pack out everything you dig, including junk
• Water and Snacks: Especially important for remote hikes
• Spare Batteries or Power Bank: For your detector, pinpointer, or phone
• Notebook or GPS App: Keep track of locations and find

Key Takeaway: The right gear doesn’t just improve your detecting results—it also makes your hunt safer, faster, and more enjoyable. Invest in quality tools and pack smart for cellar hole detecting trips.

What Treasures Have People Found in Cellar Holes?

Old cellar holes have yielded a surprising variety of relics, giving us a glimpse into everyday life from centuries past. These finds range from the ordinary to the rare, and each item tells a story of the people who once inhabited the area.

Detectorists have uncovered:

• Coins: Large cents, Indian Head pennies, colonial coppers, and even silver coins like seated dimes or Spanish reales
• Buttons and Buckles: Military, colonial, and decorative clothing buttons, often made of brass or pewter
• Tools and Hardware: Axe heads, hinges, hand-forged nails, and farming implements
• Personal Items: Thimbles, lockets, spectacles, clay pipes, pocket knives, and makeup compacts
• Toys: Lead soldiers, marbles, and tin whistles from the 1800s or early 1900s
• Household Items: Pewter spoons, utensils, suspender clips, and broken cast iron stove parts
• Unusual Finds: Trade tokens, Civil War relics, and the occasional hidden cache of coins or jewelry

While not every hunt yields treasure, cellar holes have a high success rate in finding historically interesting and sometimes valuable artifacts.

Key Takeaway: From coins to personal keepsakes, cellar holes offer an exciting mix of lost and forgotten relics—each one a tangible piece of local history.

Digging with Care: Ethical and Legal Considerations

Metal detecting around cellar holes can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with important responsibilities. These sites are often historic, sometimes protected, and always deserving of care and respect. Responsible detecting ensures that you preserve both the site’s integrity and the future of the hobby itself.

Before you even swing your detector, it’s crucial to understand the ethical and legal boundaries that apply.

Always Seek Permission

• Private Property: Never detect on private land without the landowner’s written or verbal consent. A polite request and a respectful conversation often go a long way.
• Public Lands: Rules vary widely. Some state forests and local parks allow detecting, while others strictly prohibit it, especially around historical landmarks.
• Historical or Protected Sites: Many cellar holes are part of registered historic properties. Detecting without permission may violate local, state, or federal laws and could result in fines or criminal charges.

Follow Responsible Digging Practices

• Fill All Holes: Always refill your digs neatly. Open holes not only look unsightly but can also be hazardous to wildlife, hikers, and future visitors.
• Pack Out Trash: Removing items such as iron scraps, bottle caps, and rusty nails helps clean the site and improves future detection for everyone.
• Minimize Ground Disturbance: Use pinpointing tools and precise digging techniques to avoid unnecessary damage, especially around foundations or stonework.

Respect the History

• Document Your Finds: Photograph, label, or log your discoveries—especially if they may have historical significance.
• Don’t Disturb Structural Remains: Foundations, wells, or cellar walls should be left intact, as they are important archaeological features that should be preserved.
• Report Significant Artifacts: If you uncover something truly unique, such as military relics, Native American items, or early colonial artifacts, consider contacting a local historian or archaeologist.

Know the Laws That Protect Cultural Resources

• The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) protects archaeological sites on public and Native American lands in the United States.
• Local Regulations: Many towns and states have additional rules regarding artifact recovery and historic preservation.
• Metal Detecting Clubs and Forums: Join local groups to stay informed on rules and best practices in your area.

Key Takeaway: Metal detecting is a privilege. Treat each site with care, follow the law, and preserve the story behind every find so others can enjoy and learn from it, too.

Conclusion

Old cellar holes are treasure troves for those who know how to find and explore them. You can find lost artifacts and fragments of daily life from centuries ago if you prepare ahead of time and take a thoughtful approach. Whether you’re a seasoned detectorist or just starting, these hidden homesteads offer an exciting window into local history.

FAQs

Can I metal detect cellar holes in state forests?

It depends on local laws. Some states allow detection in public forests, others prohibit it. Always check regulations beforehand.

How deep are cellar hole relics usually buried?

Most items are within the top 6–12 inches, but larger items may extend deeper, depending on soil conditions.

Are cellar holes dangerous to explore?

Some can be unstable or hidden under vegetation. Use caution, especially around collapsed walls or deep pits.

What’s the best time of year to detect cellar holes?

Fall and early spring are ideal—vegetation is minimal, and the soil is softer.

What should I do if I find human remains or something suspicious?

Stop digging immediately and contact local authorities or archaeologists for assistance. It could be a protected site.

Additional Resources

• Historic Map Works – Great source for old landowner maps
• NETR Online Historic Aerials – Compare modern and historical aerial photos
• Metal Detecting Forum – Connect with other detectorists, share finds