Look backwards
Historic maps, old routes, archaeological records and battlefield data reveal how a landscape was used before the modern map existed.
DetectraPro Research
See more than
See more than
the modern map.
Research brings historic mapping, archaeology, landscape evidence, public finds and period patterns into one workspace — helping you build a better understanding of an area before you detect.
Actual Research workspace
Layer evidence together.
Switch layers on and off, search an area and inspect individual records without jumping between separate mapping sites.
What Research is for
Four ways to read the ground.
No individual layer tells you where to detect. Research becomes useful when different kinds of evidence begin to support — or challenge — each other.
Read the landscape
LiDAR and ancient woodland information can reveal landscape form, earthworks and long-lived features that ordinary mapping can hide.
See patterns
Roman, Iron Age and Bronze Age heatmaps help visualise concentrations of records and wider archaeological context.
Check constraints
Scheduled Monument and SSSI layers provide important context to check before planning a day in the field.
PAST + PRESENT
COMPARE THE LANDSCAPE
Historic mapping and present-day landscape evidence work best together — helping reveal routes, boundaries and features that have changed or disappeared over time.
Current Research layers
One map. Multiple sources of evidence.
Every current layer in the Research workspace is included with the annual subscription.
HistoryArchaeology & past landscapes
7 layersHistoric MapsOS Six-Inch 1842–1882Scotland
Historic SitesHES / Canmore archaeologyScotland
Recorded FindsPAS public recordsEngland & Wales
HillfortsHES / Canmore fort recordsScotland
Roman RoadsMapped alignments + HES recordsBritain / Scotland records
BattlefieldsHES Inventory of Historic BattlefieldsScotland
Historic FootpathsNLS / ScotWays paths from OS maps c.1888–1913Scotland
LandscapeRead the ground
2 layersLiDAR ReliefScottish Government/JNCC + Environment Agency DTMScotland & England
Ancient WoodlandNatureScot Ancient Woodland InventoryScotland
ProtectionCheck before detecting
2 layersScheduled MonumentsLegally protected monument areasScotland & England
SSSISites of Special Scientific InterestScotland
HeatmapsSee period patterns
3 layersRoman HeatmapRoman-road alignments + HES / Canmore recordsScotland
Iron Age HeatmapDensity of HES / Canmore Iron Age recordsScotland
Bronze Age HeatmapDensity of HES / Canmore Bronze Age recordsScotland
LiDAR RELIEF
READ THE GROUND
LiDAR can reveal subtle changes in the landscape, helping highlight banks, ditches, earthworks and other features that may be difficult to see on ordinary mapping.
PERIOD HEATMAPS
SEE THE PATTERN
Period heatmaps bring multiple archaeological records together visually, helping reveal wider concentrations and patterns across the landscape.
How it works
From a place name
RESEARCH WORKFLOW
From a place name
to a clearer picture.
RESEARCH WORKFLOW
SEARCH → LAYERS → EVIDENCE
Move from a place name to layered evidence and individual records without leaving the Research workspace.
Search an area
Jump to a place or postcode and choose Modern, Satellite or Terrain as your base map.
Add the evidence
Turn individual Research layers on and off rather than trying to interpret everything at once.
Inspect the records
Select mapped sites and features to see the information attached to them and, where provided, follow the official record.
Build your understanding
Compare what different layers show and use that context when planning permissions and field research.
Important
Research is a research aid — not permission to detect.
Always obtain the landowner’s permission and check relevant legal, heritage and environmental restrictions before detecting. Map layers are contextual information and should not be treated as legal boundaries.
DetectraPro Research
Know more about the ground
Know more about the ground
before the first signal.
£29.99/ year
Unlock the complete Research workspace and every current research layer. Your finds map and find-recording account remain free.
Get Research – £29.99/year → Already have an account? Log in