Military buttons from the War of 1812 and the years leading up to it are often overlooked by those who don’t understand them. But thanks to excavations of Ohio forts and trading posts, we are learning more. Join us for a long anticipated follow-up on the buttons found here.

By Mac McAtee

Digstock X: Three Days of Peace and Digging

Long before Americans had discovered how to practically work and use metals, theirs was a life of stone tools and weapons. Millions of these “points” can be found throughout the U.S., but a once-forgotten village site in North Carolina has produced far more than its share, enough that an organized dig was held there.

By Amy A. Germuth

40 Years and Counting: Reflections of a Mississippi Relic Hunter

The author reflects on his forty-year hobby of metal detecting history and highlights some of his best finds over his four decades of recovering relics, including hunting some incredible sites in Mississippi and Louisiana. Take a trip back and join him on these hunts.

By Dan Patterson

Historia Y Fotos De Talc Detector Chile

Often when American detecting is thought of, our minds go to North America, or even Canada. But what about South America? One of our Chilean readers submitted this article of his digging history there.

By Luis Mendez (translated by Pete Schichtel)

Bone 32: Best of North East

For the past 32 years, detectorists across the country have flocked to New Hampshire to partake in a week of natural colonial finds and a huge seeded hunt on the last day. This year’s Best of North East hunt was no exception as several hundred diggers spread out across the vast acres to make good finds.

By Allyson Cohen

American Digger 2025 Freedom Writers’ Award Winners!

Each year, American Digger tallies up the votes of all feature freelance articles published during our last six issues, and awards prizes to coincide with July 4th, the birth of our nation. Based on reader interest, content, and originality, among other things, we are ready to announce our winners for the 2025 Freedom Writers’ Awards.