Listen to a sample
Things We Found in the Ground
- Narrator
- Eleanor Bruce, Lucilla Gray
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 9 April 2026
- Run Time
- 8 hours 54 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
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What to expect
In this guide-that’s-not-a-guide, metal detectorist cousins Ellie and Lucie explore their local landscape, getting to grips with the hobby, history and themselves along the way.
‘Enchanting and visceral’ DR MADELEINE PELLING
‘Brilliantly witty and magnificently down to earth’ DR REBECCA STRUTHERS
‘A joyful account of unearthing history, one discovery at a time’ SALLY COULTHARD
'An uplifting dive into the world of metal detecting' LARA MAIKLEM
'A joyful read, brimming with personal experience and unique insight’ HELEN CARR
Beginning with their first meeting in over 20 years at their grandfather’s home in Lincolnshire, the two cousins – Eleanor and Lucilla – quickly learn that each has a fascination with unearthing historic artifacts, which will set them off on their metal detecting journey …
Over many weeks and months spent digging countless holes, the pair make startling discoveries: about the objects they find and what they tell us about our ancestors, about themselves and who they are as people, and about the power of community, as they forge connections with local villagers, detectorists and history lovers along the way.
This charming tale of (self-)discovery will capture the hearts and minds of those seeking escapism through the buried history that we walk over every day.
Critics Review
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‘It’s this wider interest in history that makes their book so special…their book is remarkable’ Countryfile
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'Captures that rush of excitement you only get from a signal beneath the soil. A joyful account of unearthing history, one discovery at a time.' SALLY COULTHARD
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‘Enchanting and visceral, this familial and adventurous history takes us along bustling field boundaries, through boggy ditches and out into the wild in search of the past hidden just beneath our feet.’ DR MADELEINE PELLING
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‘Brilliantly witty and magnificently down to earth, this glittering gem of a book will have you laughing out loud as it enthrals you with the tantalising history hiding just beneath our feet’ REBECCA STRUTHERS
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'An uplifting dive into the world of metal detecting' LARA MAIKLEM
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'A joyful read, brimming with personal experience and unique insight into the ancient past.' HELEN CARR
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'This utterly fresh and charming book will especially enchant history buffs.' Library Journal
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Eleanor Bruce, Lucilla Gray
- Narrator
- Eleanor Bruce, Lucilla Gray
- Duration
- 8 hours 54 minutes
- Release Date
- 9 April 2026
- ISBN
- 9780008737634
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Archaeology, Autobiography: adventurers and explorers, Local history, Antiques, vintage and collectables, Hobbies / pastimes, Precious metal, precious stones and jewellery: artworks and design
Synopsis
In this guide-that’s-not-a-guide, metal detectorist cousins Ellie and Lucie explore their local landscape, getting to grips with the hobby, history and themselves along the way. ‘Enchanting and visceral’ DR MADELEINE PELLING ‘Brilliantly witty and magnificently down to earth’ DR REBECCA STRUTHERS ‘A joyful account of unearthing history, one discovery at a time’ SALLY COULTHARD 'An uplifting dive into the world of metal detecting' LARA MAIKLEM 'A joyful read, brimming with personal experience and unique insight’ HELEN CARR Beginning with their first meeting in over 20 years at their grandfather’s home in Lincolnshire, the two cousins – Eleanor and Lucilla – quickly learn that each has a fascination with unearthing historic artifacts, which will set them off on their metal detecting journey … Over many weeks and months spent digging countless holes, the pair make startling discoveries: about the objects they find and what they tell us about our ancestors, about themselves and who they are as people, and about the power of community, as they forge connections with local villagers, detectorists and history lovers along the way. This charming tale of (self-)discovery will capture the hearts and minds of those seeking escapism through the buried history that we walk over every day.
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