Opinions about metal detecting historic cemetaries

Hi, Ive always wanted to but never thought it felt right to metal detect a historic cemetary. We have an old cemetary on our property that noone knows is out there so noone has ever metal detected. The newest stone Ive seen out there was 1870s. Theres about 50 or so stones out there and some are really old. Most of the old ones are too weathered to read but you just know those are the old ones. Im wondering what everyone elses opinions are on this. Like I said, Ive always wanted to but never felt right about it. But then again, how bad is it if I dont disturb anything and only dig down just alittle bit??? It doesnt seem very bad to me, it seems harmless, but then again theres still something that dosent seem right about it. Anyhow, Id love to hear your opinions. Oh and while Im at it, I have one more question just incase anyone knows an answer. One of the stones out there is in great shape, its kinda leaning forward so rain couldnt affect the writing. Anyhow, I moved away some of the leaves at the base of the stone and it says $427.73. Now the stone is dated 1817 and the name on the stone is the name of the man who owned most of the town back then. Theres roads named after him and streams and ponds named after him, and so on. Anyhow, Ive always wondered about that one. I know it didnt cost $427.73 for the stone back then and that sounds like an awful lot of money for the time. Why would it say that???? Is it because they used to bury the dead with all their money and valuable possesions??? I think they used to do that, but why would they mark how much is buried with them. Isnt that an invite to grave robbers??? Anyhow, even if that be the case, Im not going to dig it up, Im just curious. Thats one thats always made me wonder.

 

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My opinion would be to not dig in the cemetary.

Regarding your other question, I don't have a clue why the stone would have a monetary amount imprinted on it. If you turn 42773 upside down it spells "ELLZh". Maybe that was the name of his sled.

 

I wouldn't dig. I'd be worried about zombies or something awful like that. Nobody wants the undead chasing after them, let me tell you...

 

Why not detect?? As long as you do not disturb the body and it is your property..go for it!!

RickieB

 

Hum, so far 2 say no and 2 say yes. (I mentiond my question in a reply to another post, then decided that Id like to make my question a post.) But what kind of sled are you talking about CoinOKC???

 

What is the problem? It is just dirt. You are not going to dig down to the graves.

As to the marker, take a picture and post it. They had some funky writing back then at least from some of the old stones I have seen.

 

Could have been the price on the guy's head! Some shotter might have been proud of his deed..LOL

RickieB

 

lol, Ive never thought about that being the price on the guys head, lol. Interesting concept though, I like that. Well, Im kinda thinking that there isnt anything wrong with just digging a little ways down. And If I do detect it, I will post pictures of the stone and of my findings. I expect that the pictures of my findings might be a few cut nails and a beer can. But maybe if Im lucky Ill find a horse shoe.

 

When i lived in Mass, we had cemetaries around that hadnt' been used in a hundred years. As kids, we would run amok and juct not have a care in the world. Som eof the grave buildings were unlocked and open - creepy.

Anyhoot... i would have the same reservations as you do. But if your desire out weighs the reservations.. then by al means go ahead -- but with this advice treat the dead with the same respect as you might in an active grave yard. Dont walk on the tops of the graves, and dont dig on the tops of the graves. Over time, i am sure the burial mounds have long faded, but being a bright person, i am sure you can easily figure the width and length that you might want to steer clear from. Besides, if the person was buried, all the dirt below had been disturbed at one point - i would doubt anything of numismatic interest would be in that dirt. So any ground between the graves would/should be ok

happy hunting...

and if Zombies do start chasing after you... head to jhonn's place - it sounds like he may had had some success in dealing with the critters inthe past

 

Is it illegal to dig in a historical grave?

 

illegal? dont really know... but i think morality plays a larger role in the question of 'if to' or 'if not to'.

 

Hmm, I don't see anything wrong with it IMO. Not like you are digging them up. I would sya, go ahead and detect, and just be careful you don't mess up someones resting place. That gravestone sounds neat, my mother is a grave stone expert, I'll ask her about it for you. Best of luck. :thumb:

Phoenix

 

I don't think I would dig there. But, if you dig around the area, and not directly on top of where bodies are buried, I think thats ok.

 

I always thought it was illegal as well. But from what Ive gathered, apparently it isnt illegal. As Ive been told here on coin talk, and as Ive been told from alot of people Ive talked to in the past.

 

It's only illegal if you get caught.... J/K

Phoenix

 

Think about that a minute. Once you bury someone, you can never bury anyone around him/her? It may be illegal to dig up a coffin (historic or not), but I hope that he is not going to dig that deep.

 

Personally, I wouldn't detect. In an odd similarity we have an Indian Mound (Mississipian) on some property my little brother and I now own (used to be my folks farm) in Texas. The land has been in the family for over 60 years and as a boy my dad wouldn't let us dig there either.

Sam Houston State University has since put up a chain link fence and signs around the mound and keep it mowed. It's a historical site now.

Take Care and follow your conscience...
Ben

 

oh really, they put up fences and signs??? Well, this land that we own has been in the family since my ancesters came here on the mayflower. But the only part I have never figured out is why the cemetary is on our land. I recognize alot of the names. Most have roads, streams, ponds and what not named after them. But only a few of the stones bear names of our family. And thats another aspect that I have mixed feelings on. All the historical records state that the resting place of all of these people has never been found. I kinda feel that it should be known. I know just where they are and the rest of the town is clueless. And I do feel that peole who care to visit the site should be able to, especially the ancestors. But its my grandmothers land, and she has never wanted the historic society to know where the graves are. Because once they know where it is, they will put up fences and signs. And they will cut a road out to it. And I believe that my grandmother would be forced to forfeit the land that the cemetary is on. Possibly even the road going to it.

 

Yes, once it's on the state historical sites list then it will forever be the same and yet never the same...

Take Care
Ben

 

It would depend on how deep the graves are and how deep your detector can reach whether or not the possibility could exist that you detect some of the fasteners in the casket, personally I would, but set a limit on how deep you are willing dig. John