Bringing Denmark’s Hidden Past to Light: An Interview with Metal Detectorist Mikkel Warming

With more than fifteen years of hands-on experience, Mikkel Warming is widely regarded as one of Denmark’s most accomplished and respected metal detectorists. Based in Denmark, Mikkel is known for uncovering historically significant artifacts ranging from the Bronze Age to the Viking Age, bringing Denmark’s buried history back into the light through careful research and responsible detecting.

Mikkel Warming is a recognized Minelab Detexpert and an official Pro Staff member for Motley Digging Tools.

Beyond his work in the field, Mikkel plays an influential role in the metal detecting community as the founder and administrator of Detektor Danmark, Denmark’s largest Facebook group dedicated to metal detectorists. His deep respect for archaeology and his methodical approach to site research and recovery have earned him recognition among both hobbyists and advanced detectorists alike.

When it comes to equipment, Mikkel believes in using proven, high-performance detectors. He is a Minelab Detexpert and currently favors the Minelab Manticore and has extensive experience with the Minelab Equinox and the Minelab CTX 3030. He is also sponsored by Motley Digging Tools and uses their shovels and hand diggers.

For Mikkel, every signal represents a potential story—one that connects modern detectorists to the people, cultures, and landscapes of Denmark’s past.

Below are the interview questions followed by Mikkel’s in-depth answers.

Why did you start metal detecting?

I grew up with a father who was deeply interested in history. He collected stone axes and eagerly shared the stories behind them, bringing the past to life for me. Through his passion and storytelling, my fascination with history was sparked at an early age and has stayed with me ever since. As I grew older, it felt natural to take up metal detecting once it became possible. In the beginning, my main interest was the hunt for remains from the German occupation, searching for traces left behind by that period and uncovering small pieces of more recent history hidden in the ground.

Who have been your mentors or key influences in the field of metal detecting?

In the beginning, I had an acquaintance who was very skilled and knowledgeable, and he introduced me to the basics of metal detecting and how to approach the hobby the right way. On top of that, I spent countless hours on YouTube watching international experts demonstrate techniques, share their experiences, and explain the finer details of the field. That combination of hands-on guidance and self-study shaped my foundation and helped me progress quickly.

What are three of your favorite metal detecting finds and why?

The three best finds I have made — or at least the ones that mean the most to me — are the following:

• The first is a wolf-head–shaped gold pendant with an inlaid, snake-like pattern. It is dated to around AD 600 and was most likely made in the British Isles. It was my very first gold find, so it will always hold a very special place for me.
• Every detectorist dreams of finding a gold coin, and I have been lucky enough to experience that as well. I found a German gold gulden from the 15th century, making it a day I will never forget.
• More recently, I have been searching an area that contains a burial ground dating to around AD 650. It feels like a race against modern agricultural machinery to rescue what remains. Finds from the site include equipment suggesting that a local king’s hirdsman was buried there, indicated by the remains of an ornate shield and fine fibulae.
  

These are just a few examples of Mikkel Warming’s impressive finds. See many more on his Instagram: @nordic_detecting

Metal Detecting Tips

Was there a point in time when you experienced a major shift in the quality and quantity of your finds, and what do you feel contributed to that change?

I noticed a clear turning point in my finds when I upgraded from a cheap supermarket detector to a used Minelab Explorer. Suddenly, I started finding much deeper targets, including delicate and very thin silver coins that I simply could not detect before. That change completely opened my eyes to what better equipment can reveal underground.

Getting metal detecting permissions isn’t easy. Can you share some tips on how you secure permission to detect farm fields?

Getting permission really starts with showing up in person. A friendly face and a calm, honest conversation go a long way. I always take the time to explain my intentions clearly and let the landowner feel my dedication to the hobby and to history.

It’s important to reassure them that I respect their land, that I dig carefully, leave no damage behind, and always restore the field exactly as I found it. I explain that I’m not there to disturb anything, but to uncover and preserve the history connected to their land.

When possible, I also offer the landowner some of the finds that are not required to be reported to the museum. They often appreciate this greatly, and it helps build trust and long-term relationships.

What tips can you share for metal detecting farm fields? Other than researching the area via old maps or historical records, what are some other identifiable markers that would signal that it might be a good area to detect?

One of the most important tips is to use more than just your ears. Don’t only listen to the detector—read the field. Changes in soil color and texture can reveal past activity, such as old settlements or disturbed ground.

Always pay attention to water sources like streams and natural springs, as well as old road lines, high spots, and low-lying areas. These features often attracted people in the past and are key indicators of where finds may be concentrated.

But above all, trust your gut feeling. Experience and intuition play a huge role in metal detecting, and sometimes that inner sense is what leads you to the best finds.

How does temperature affect the conductivity and detectability of metals, and do you adjust your detecting strategies based on seasonal changes?

Cold or warm weather doesn’t really change the metal itself in a meaningful way, but it has a clear impact on the soil. When the ground is moist and not frozen, conductivity improves, signals are cleaner, and deep targets become easier to detect. That’s why early spring and autumn are often prime seasons. Dry summer soil can reduce depth a bit and make signals weaker.

Minelab Manticore Tips

Do you use a custom program on the Minelab Manticore, and if so, what settings do you prefer, or do you primarily rely on the stock Manticore programs?

Yes, I do use a custom program on the Minelab Manticore. I mainly run Luc’s program “Life Can Be Simple” as my base setup. It’s a very well-balanced program that delivers clean audio and reliable target information.
I’ve made a few small adjustments to better suit my local fields and the way I interpret sounds, mainly fine-tuning it to match my soil conditions and personal audio preferences. Overall, I prefer starting from a solid, proven custom program and then tweaking it slightly rather than relying purely on the stock Manticore programs.

Which coils are your favorite for the Minelab Manticore and why?

My favorite coil for the Minelab Manticore is the M9. It’s lightweight, very well balanced, and delivers sharp, clean signals that are easy to interpret. Despite its relatively small size, it still reaches impressive depth, which makes it extremely versatile. For long days in the field and precise target separation, the M9 is hard to beat.

Do you only dig signals that appear on the centerline of the Manticore’s visual display, or do you also dig targets that fall outside the centerline—and why?

I don’t only dig signals that sit perfectly on the centerline. I also dig targets that “pull” a bit off the line. Very often, that happens when iron is lying close to a good target and influences how the signal appears on the screen.

By cross-sweeping from different angles, you can often tease out a clean, repeatable signal—both in the audio and on the display. Some of the best finds don’t look perfect at first glance, so being willing to investigate those slightly messy signals can really pay off.

Advice for Metal Detecting Brands

What improvements would you like to see in metal detecting technology?

I think it’s unavoidable that AI will become part of future metal detecting technology. Smarter target analysis, better filtering, and adaptive learning based on soil conditions all make sense and could be very powerful tools.

That said, I really hope we don’t lose the human element. The ability to read the ground, interpret subtle audio nuances, and understand what the detector is “saying” through sound and visual signals is a skill built through experience. Technology should support that process—not replace it. The best machines of the future will enhance human judgment, not take it away.

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Through his thoughtful answers and years of field-proven experience, Mikkel Warming exemplifies what responsible, research-driven metal detecting can achieve. His approach—rooted in patience, historical context, and respect for the land—serves as a model for detectorists at every level. Whether uncovering a Bronze Age artifact or helping shape Denmark’s detecting community, Mikkel reminds us that the true value of metal detecting lies not in the object itself, but in the story it reveals and the care taken to preserve it. As technology evolves and new generations enter the field, voices like Mikkel’s help ensure that Denmark’s hidden past is brought to light thoughtfully, ethically, and with lasting respect for history.