SNN112419 - World War 2 Treasure Hunters' TV Series RAF Kings Cliffe Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, Magnetometer Scanning, Metal Detector Survey and Test Pit Reports

On the 20th and 21st June 2017, Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company (SACIC) undertook a magnetic scanning, metal detector survey and test pitting exercise on a suspected World War 2 (WW2) dump site on the former RAF Kings Cliffe base in Northamptonshire. The aim of the project was to prospect, record and recover finds relating to the Second World War airfield used by both the RAF and USAAF. The location of a rubbish dump was written within airbase records dating to the war period. It was therefore decided to undertake magnetometer scanning to reveal its extent. A roughly triangular area of high magnetic readings was prospected and surveyed by GPS that is thought to be the boundary of the dump site. Following the magnetometer scanning and an accompanying metal detector survey, a single test pit was positioned in an area that yielded promising results. This test pit produced a wide variety of artefacts from the WW2 site of both RAF and USAAF origin, including dog tags, flying goggles, aircraft parts, ordnance and a large quantity of domestic refuse.