Yesterday, the finishing touches were being put to an installation using thousands of bits of metal – including 300 bent nails, post-mediaeval stair rod holders and thimbles – discovered by the late metal detecting enthusiast Walter Carlile.

Mr Carlile spent two decades scouring the countryside around South Ferriby and picked up every bit of metal he saw, however insignificant.

Some 6,000 items – possibly containing Roman and even Bronze Age fragments – have now been laid out on the floor of the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe, and the observant may spot that the display forms an old map of Scunthorpe town itself.

Artist Paul Matosic is known for creating installations, sculptures and films that carry an environmental message. He came across the collection three years ago a in Norwich.

He said: "In amongst the Anglo-Saxon swords and Roman gold and the usual archaeological stuff was a galvanised bucket of scrap metal which I found instantly more fascinating. There was something intriguing about the way it was displayed, overflowing with metal."

He eventually contacted North Lincolnshire Museum, which had bought the collection of Mr Carlile in the mid 1990s and organised the exhibition. He said: "Unlike most people who get involved in this pursuit he kept everything he found. Most of it looks Victorian – there's some very decorative buttons – loads of coins and a substantial collection of thimbles, as well as lots and lots of lead, metal shot and bullets."

The installation will be on display until December 6, Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and admission is free.