Unearthing Nordic History: An Interview with Danish Metal Detectorist Linda Warming

From metal detecting the windswept shores of Funen, Denmark, to exploring rich agricultural fields layered with centuries of history, Linda Warming uncovers coins and relics from Denmark’s past—one signal at a time with her XP Deus I and Motley Digging Tools. Born and raised on the Danish island of Funen, Linda’s passion for history began in childhood as she searched the coastline for fossils. Since 2017, she has been a dedicated metal detectorist with a strong focus on Nordic history, recovering artifacts dating from the Bronze Age through the Danish Middle Ages. Beyond the thrill of discovery, Linda carefully researches and documents each find. In this exclusive interview, she shares her journey, techniques, historical insights, and the responsibility that comes with detecting in Denmark’s historically rich soil.

What inspired you to begin metal detecting, and what were your first impressions of the hobby?

My then eight-year-old son wished for a metal detector, and he got one. It was a Teknetics Euro Pro. He probably expected that he would immediately go out and dig up lots of treasure. He quickly had to realize that the hobby was about much more than gold treasures.

So our first impressions — for both of us — involved digging up a great deal of trash and old iron, which we spent hours uncovering. However, I sensed that it was not always just modern rubbish — older “trash” also tells powerful stories about human activity in an area.

Gradually, more significant objects began to appear. It opened up an entirely new world. Fields I had walked across so many times. Cycled past. Driven past. Traveled through on horseback. They were hiding so much history, and I quickly became captivated by it — while my son slowly began to lose interest.

Can you describe a couple of memorable finds that deepened your passion for history?

If I am to describe two, one is a pendant/harness mount depicting a bird’s body with a human face — a bearded man. The piece dates to the early Middle Ages in Denmark, that is, the 1100s. It is made of gilded bronze. It strongly represents the symbols and religious beliefs of that period in the Nordic region.

The other find is a solidus fitted with a loop, allowing it to be worn around the neck. The solidus originates from the area we today know as Serbia, which was formerly part of the Roman Empire. It was struck in the mid-300s under Emperor Constantius II and later made its way to the region we now know as Denmark, through trade or perhaps even as the emperor’s payment for peace when Germanic tribes were pressing at the borders

Denmark has strict heritage laws protecting archaeological finds. How do you ensure your detecting aligns with Danish cultural heritage regulations?

I ensure a close collaboration with the local museum. Several times a year, I meet with the archaeologist there to hand over the finds I make. Together, we go through each find, and I am also updated on new developments in archaeology in Denmark, including the collaboration with metal detectorists. In addition, I am a member of relevant detectorist associations, which provide the current guidelines and laws that every detectorist must be familiar with and follow. The finds are recorded with coordinates, and any cleaning or conservation is left to the museum.

What advice would you give metal detectorists who want to responsibly search for Bronze Age or Medieval artifacts?

Seek knowledge about the current guidelines and laws within the hobby. Contact your local museum and explain your plans so that expectations can be aligned.

Start with a single field, asking the landowner for permission to search. Also, check whether other detectorists are already working on that field, and coordinate with them. They may already be uncovering the history of the field, so it is important to have a dialogue about what is possible.

Read other detectorists’ reports on various social media platforms and websites. In Denmark, we often refer to “Bondejern.dk.”-

What advanced tips can you share about metal detecting plowed fields?

There are many signals out there. Just when you think a field has been fully searched, it can be beneficial to search in the opposite direction, and even across it. This is especially true for fields that have seen a lot of activity. It is also well known that it can be more difficult to pick up signals on a freshly plowed and dry field. Ideally, the soil should have some give and, even better, be slightly damp.

Never give up on a field if you find nothing at first. Perhaps after the first or second plowing, finds will start to appear. Maybe there are no finds after the third plowing, and later on, they may show up again.

What are your future goals within the metal detecting community?

My future goals are definitely to continue uncovering history and documenting the finds I make. In particular, I want to use the finds to trace connections back to the people who lived here before us — ordinary people, their everyday lives, not necessarily kings and princes. I want to tell their stories, and I believe we can learn a great deal from them, especially when we consider the way we live today and, not least, how we treat Mother Earth.

It is precisely the act of tracing connections to another time, and to the people whose lives unfolded here, that holds my particular interest.

Therefore, in addition to some articles with this very focus, I have an ongoing writing project about a woman whose life takes place during the Germanic Iron Age (the 600s) in what we now know as Denmark. Her life is shaped by the movements of the time, which drove people into alliances, political power plays, authority, and status. It is a story about the woman as an individual, about intuition and innate abilities. Perhaps this is a project that will continue over the next 5–10 years. Time will tell.

XP Deus I Metal Detector

Linda is a dedicated user of the XP Deus I and recently purchased a second unit after years of heavy field use began to wear down her original detector.

In this section, we’ll explore why she prefers the Deus I over the Deus II, the specific settings she relies on in the field, and what makes this detector her top choice for consistent finds.

Why do you prefer the XP Deus I over the XP Deus II?
I prefer to use the XP Deus I because I have spent thousands of hours with this detector out in the fields. In this way, I have become extremely familiar with the machine and thus capable of detecting even the smallest, yet equally important, objects. It takes a long time to become truly confident with your detector, and the partnership I currently have with my XP Deus I is something I would not want to be without when I am out in the fields, searching for Denmark’s history.


Which settings do you most often use when searching plowed fields?
I most often, and almost always, use the “Hot” program — a very versatile setting that focuses on the many different signals and the sounds they emit. Over time, you learn to recognize when it is worth digging and what type of object it might be before even putting the shovel in the ground.


Which coil size do you prefer for your hunts, and why?
I clearly prefer a 9” coil on most fields. It is sharper and picks up the very small objects.

I might use an 11” coil on larger and completely “new” fields, as it can more quickly and broadly cover the area to see if there are any historical pieces hidden there.
 

If XP released an update tomorrow, what improvement would you hope to see for serious relic hunters?
I would like to see an improvement in the ability to detect signals in dry and loose soil.

Linda Warming represents the best of responsible metal detecting—where skill, patience, and field experience lead to meaningful discoveries. Her dedication to documenting her finds, from Bronze Age relics to medieval coins, shows a deep respect for Denmark’s history and the metal detecting community. Using her XP Deus II in Danish fields, Linda demonstrates that metal detecting is more than recovering targets—it’s about protecting history, improving technique, and setting a strong example for detectorists everywhere. Her journey reminds us that with the right tools, knowledge, and ethics, every signal has the potential to tell a story.

You can follow Linda on Instagram at instagram.com/detecting_by_aarosin