M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)

Prospecting - BENE János, PATTANTYUS- Á. Miklós: Exploration of hidden silver treasures by means of geophysics

were barracks of uncertain number, size and distance, and several data v ere available concerning the number of refuse pits and their distances from the barracks. On the basis of the descriptions given by individuals who were actually there, the surface depressions, which can be seen in the site plan at about the same distance from one another (Fig. 1 ,b

), were considered to be the refuse pits. Figure 2 shows the magnetic profile laid across these depressions. In the profile only weak anomalies are over the depression* and they can hardly be correlated. A disturbing anomaly of scattering type was obtained on the eastern edge of the profile; this is probably due to some near surface iron objects. M 47500 550 500 450 47400 w —/' JV/Vv 20 25 30 35 40 45 [m] 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Fig. 2 Magnetic profile over the surface depressions at about the same distance from one another (see Fig. 1, bj. Sensor at 1.8 m above the ground, a: total magnetic intensity; b: the surface with the serial numbers of depressions. No unambiguous anomaly appears in the magnetic field over the depressions. The measurement did not justify the excavation of pit 2. This was done only on the basis of the concordant statements, according to which, it was the 2nd or 3rd pit of the ,,many" (6—8) pits, in which the chest was hidden. During the excavation hardly any garbage was found, the metal detector did not indicate any metal object after removal of the individual layers. It became certain that these depressions were sites of one-time latrines and, thus, the area sketch had to be corrected. It was necessary to modify our ideas and to examine the topography of the field again in order to determine the probable places of the refuse pits. Three objects were discovered at an almost regular distance from one another, namely, two smaller hills and a depression (Fig. 1, c). Figure 3 shows the magnetic profile measured on these objects. Measurements were performed along this profile using two sensor heights. It can be seen in the profile that object A caused a very narrow anomaly, but only in the measurement at smaller height which suggests a near surface body. The object in the middle (B) did not cause any deviation, while object C is indicated by a wide, unambiguous anomaly at both heights. The magnetic mapping of the two anomalous places (objects A and C) also supported the previous statements (Fig. 3, below). Judging from our interpretation, object A is a near surface scrap-heap (with metal objects), object B is probably a natural formation and object C is a body lying deeper: a refuse pit containing a lot of magnetic metal objects. This idea was checked by partial excavation, which justified our supposition. After this, the overall exploration of object C was started. It turned out during the exploration that this surface depression of 3X3 m was really a sunken refuse pit. Our metal detector indicated something at every step: a great deal of scrap, cans, pots and pans were found. The bottom of the pit was reached at a depth of about 2 m, where - in the northern corner — traces of further digging could be seen. The metal detector indications were very strong all the time. These traces of digging