Friday 30 January 2015

Mulling over Molehills.



Living in an area that was once occupied by the Romans (French villages with the suffix 'ac' were Roman settlements), I am sure that there are plenty of as yet undiscovered archaeological finds to be made.

The idea of 'finding' things totally fascinates me, whether it be by beach-combing, digging in the garden, or simply discovering something of interest shoved into a hedge.

I always find myself drawn to newly made Molehills; as I pass by, I throw a glance at the freshly churned-up soil hoping that I might discover gold coins, pre-historic flint tools, or maybe even some broken piece of ancient jewellery.

As yet the local Mole population have failed to provide me with anything, but I live in hope.




23 comments:

  1. So that's a molehill, I've never seen one. Or a mole, for that matter, they don't have 'em here. What are those two discs poking out of the top?

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  2. I've seen a fair few molehills in my life but never seen anything interesting yet.

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  3. Fieldwalking was quite a productive hobby where I grew up - ploughed fields would still be turning up flint arrowheads and old coins each autumn and once you got your eye in you could pick up a fair bit.

    Yet to spot amber or ambergris on a beach though, that would be pretty much the ultimate for me.

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    1. I've found quite a few flint tools; I'm still waiting for the gold.

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  4. You can glean some comfort from knowing that molehill soil, mixed with a bit of leaf mould, makes excellent potting compost.

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  5. I also have molehilles in my garden and feel the same about finding any thing here regarding the area was ocuupied by so many nations( Romans, Turks, English).

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    Replies
    1. Israel must be filled with archaeology. Scratch the surface and there it is.

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  6. Don't think the Romans used the Euro!! When our local walk along an old railway line was dug over prior to laying a tarmac base my pal and I walked along looking for " treasure". Needless to say we didn't find any. A few years ago I did find a silvery " dog tag" on the surface of our garden ( after having lived here for 30 years) and it was engraved with the name and address of the family who used to run a general store on the site of the 4 houses that were built in early 60's. The shop had been there for many years, removed in the 50's I think, and I gave the disc to the local history society.

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    1. I didn't have any Denarius for the photo, so was obliged to use Euros.

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  7. I agree with Weaver. We collect molehills to mix with our own compost for the greenhouse. HOWEVER I would rather not have the blighters in the first place.

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  8. Following ploughs is a good way to find stuff as well.

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    Replies
    1. A newly ploughed field just after a downpour is probably the best hunting ground there is.

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    2. We never found anything in a ploughed field either.

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  9. Where we have moved to in West Suffolk there is a lot of Anglo-Saxon history. We are also inundated with mole hills which in future I will closely inspect. You've raised my hopes.

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  10. Our French house being located in a village ending in 'ac', I am grateful for learning it was a one time Roman! As for molehills -- we sure get plenty of those -- but I suspect the critters hord the stuff!

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  11. The farm near Orillia Ontario that my folks worked was always in need of 'stone picking'. Dad found quite a few arrow heads that way.

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    1. I would love to find an arrow head.... I shall keep looking.

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  12. Molehill soil is very good for mixing with compost to help it go a little further.

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  13. Yes, very often spear points and arrowheads are found around here. Also, in creekbeds where you can find old indian pottery. If I lived there, I'd be out with my metal detector all the time looking for things. Love antiquities.

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  14. We have molehills here, but I've not found anything in them. The cats like to despatch moles, so most of them have moved out into the field away from the house.

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    1. I wish I could train Freddie to catch them. I don't mind them in the fields, but in the lawn or veg patch they're a pain in the neck.

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