Use deep seeking metal detectors to locate privy pits and antique bottles
Thirty years ago, antique bottle collecting was an enigmatic pursuit limited to the dedicated few. Today, it is a fast-growing hobby that is appreciated by many. It’s interesting to ponder… what lure do bottles have for the collector? They are seemingly meaningless old objects. Quite the contrary, antique bottles have an individuality that places them in the realm of folk art. When bottles were made by hand, no two were identical. Machines started to manufacture bottles just before 1920; therefore, many collectors are not as interested in machine-made bottles. The antique bottles most highly prized by collectors were made before 1912. Since the variety of antique bottles is astonishing, most connoisseurs collect entire categories of bottles.
Types & Categories of Antique Bottles
There are distinctions in bottles that make them extremely valuable. This includes their colors, embossed designs, and the shape/markings on the base or the neck of the bottle. These features help determine their origin and time frame. Some hobbyists collect only ink bottles; many seek only bottles of a certain color. Popular antique bottles contain medicine, poison, whiskey, bitters, and perfume.
Whiskey flasks are among the most popular categories of bottles to collectors. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, the glass whiskey flask was an integral part of men’s attire. The ornateness of his flask was an indicator of his wealth. They can be found in colors such as green, olive-amber or even a rare sunburst design. Poison bottles are another popular category. Poison bottles were often embossed with a warning to prevent their accidental intake. However, many people couldn’t read. So, in the 19th Century, glass manufacturers created the poison flask with a cross-hatched rough surface alerting to the dangers within. Cobalt blue poison containers are a favorite of beginning collectors because they are somewhat easy to find. Be sure to read our article entitled “best metal detectors for finding antique bottles” for tips on getting started bottle collecting with a metal detector.
Why are Bottles Found in Privy Pits?
Attics and basements can be lucrative spots for the bottle collector. But the real treasure troves are old privy pits or outhouses. This is where garbage was disposed of. One source gives an example of a housewife sneaking off to the privy pit to indulge in a stiff shot of whiskey—then disposing of the evidence. Another scenario: coins falling out of men’s and boys’ trouser pockets. Because there was no formal dump or garbage pick-up, people dug pits for their trash. Dumps were located in their own backyard—most often in a privy pit. Bottle diggers are also looking for communal or “town dumps.” These were usually located in the main part of town, accessible to local residents. A new bottle digger may wonder if it’s safe to dig into old outhouse pits. Experienced diggers assure us that it is—body wastes decompose rapidly and are not harmful after only a few years. Dedicated bottle hunters talk about finding small fortunes in the pits, including bottles, coins, guns, and other relics.
What Is a ?
are used as dry or outdoor without a . An or dry toilet does not require to flush away as a traditional toilet does. Instead, rely on the natural decomposition process to break down .
A is a hole in the ground used as a toilet. It is usually located in a backyard or other outdoor area as an . The is deposited into the pit, and then it decomposes over time.
are usually located a few feet from the back door of a house or other building. is a common method of management in where there is no indoor plumbing. Locating an can lead to some exceptional metal detecting finds. The traffic volume to and from the area was exceptional when the was in use. It is not uncommon to locate a when working on new . While the typical of the pit can vary, a opening is common. A is a large open pit that collects and even wastewater. They can still, to this day, be found in many areas worldwide.
Digging for a
digging is not as complicated as it may seem. The first thing you need to do is find a location for your pit. It should be a few feet from the back door of your house or other building, and it should be in an area that gets sunlight. Find a site where the groundwater table is deep enough that the pit will not flood and keep rainwater from entering the pit.
Once you have found a location, you can use a metal detector to ensure no metal material may be hard to excavate or that may be of value once dug up. will also use a spade or a post-hole digger to excavate the hole. Based on how many people are going to use the and how often they will use it, the size of the hole is going to be determined.
Once you have found a good location, you will need to dig a hole or that is approximately four feet deep and three feet wide. The hole does not need to be perfectly round, but it should be big enough for a person to comfortably sit on the . The should be sloped so that they are easy to climb out of.
After the hole has been dug, you will need to build a for the . This can be done with a or or with some other type of material. The should be big enough to support the weight of the and the person using it. Some tips for digging and maintenance include:
- The should be at least 100 feet from any wells.
- The hole should be lined with stones, bricks, or other materials to prevent collapse.
- A wooden box or barrel can be placed over the hole to act as a seat.
- A lid should be placed over the to keep animals out and to reduce odors.
- The should be emptied when it is 1 foot from the top of the .
- You can also place a layer of , leaves, or other organic matter on top of the to help with decomposition.
Unlike indoor plumbing with a and leach fields, there is no need for a watertight seal around the . In fact, it is actually beneficial to have some around the so that can seep in and help break down the , commonly referred to as to reduce . A is a toilet installed in an without a sewer connection. Some areas refer to this type of toilet as a . It is, however, important that are constructed properly to avoid rainwater pushing into the surrounding groundwater or .
in the Middle Ages
A is an underground chamber used for in England during the Middle Ages. They were usually located outside town walls and consisted of a pit dug into the ground, lined with stone, and covered with a wooden lid.
Why Do Find Interesting?
are a common feature of many archaeological sites. They are often found near houses or other buildings, and they can tell us a lot about the people who lived there. In the early 1900s, ash, , and other materials were often used to construct .
One of the main reasons that are interesting to is because of the and that are often found in them. These items can tell us a lot about what people were eating during a certain time period.
For example, if we find many wheat in a , we know that the people who lived there grew wheat. If we find from a fruit or vegetable that is not native to the area, we know that the people were trading with other groups of people.
Also known as and chamber pots, old were commonly used before the advent of indoor plumbing. In some areas, they are still in use today. can be found in , including:
- Bones
- Glass
- Ceramics
- Metal
- Wooden
from pit sites can help learn information about the people who used the , what they ate, what kinds of materials they had access to, and how their lifestyles changed over time.
Best Metal Detectors for Bottle Digging
A metal detector will signal rusted metal, copper and brass in spots that may be former privy pits. Finding old tin cans, nails, and farm equipment can indicate that there are lower levels of refuse below. When choosing a metal detector for bottle digging, consider if this will be your main past-time or if you will be using your detector in other settings. Some bottle diggers say a multi-purpose or entry-level model is fine—as long as it detects at a lower frequency. Iron, brass, and steel are picked up more easily with a lower frequency. Veteran bottle diggers usually recommend a deep-penetrating metal detector with a large search coil for locating a dump site. Large search coils detect larger objects at greater depths. Another savvy investment for the bottle digger would be a high-end multipurpose deep-seeking metal detector, such as the Makro Pro Deephunter Metal Detector. This unit actually locates underground caves, cavities and repositories with advanced 3D graphic images. Metals can also be identified within these underground structures.
Best metal detectors for locating privy pits
Entry-Level Deep-Seeking Detectors
Mid-Level Deep-Seeking Detectors
High-End Deep-Seeking Detectors
- Makro New JeoHunter Deep-Seeking 3D Dual System
- Makro deephunter Pro Metal Detector System
- Garrett ATX Deepseeker Package
Top Deep Seeking Metal Detectors
- Detech SSP 5100 Deep Seeking Metal Detector System
- Nokta Makro Invenio Pro Pack Smart Metal Detector and 3D Imaging System
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Nokta Makro Invenio Standard Pack Smart Metal Detector and 3D Imaging System
- Groundtech Discovery SM Smart 3D Ground Scanning Detector (Top Pick)
- Groundtech Discovery SMR Smart 3D Ground Scanning Detector + Resisitivity (Top Pick)
How to Locate and Recover Bottles from a Privy Pit
How can you locate a trash pit? There are several landmarks you can look for if the outhouse isn’t still standing. When at an old farm or homestead, look for a wood shed, as many privies were located nearby. Pathways, especially those lined with rocks, may very well lead to a pit. Depressions are a good indicator that something lies in the ground below. Many detectorists use very long probes (6-9') to check for soft soil or voids in the ground. They feel for a wall from a brick liner or cistern or the crunch layer of a trash pit. Usually, when you find a privy—you will feel a scratchy crunch that wasn't anywhere else around. Your metal detector can then lead the way by signaling high levels of metal.
There are other tools you will find invaluable while out in the field. A pinpointing probe is essential for the privy pit digger. This is used to probe and pinpoint the exact location of metal targets. It’s a huge time-saving device! Headphones, a sturdy-handled digging tool (such as the Lesche T-Handle Ground Shark Shovel), and good gloves are also must-haves.
Copyright 2014 Detector Electronics Corp. - Revised September 2022