King Harold coins from 1066 and Roman artefacts top UK’s 2024 treasure finds | Archaeology
A hoard of coins linked to Harold II and most likely buried on the eve of the 1066 battle, rare Roman vehicle equipment and a group of early medieval objects are among the archaeological finds and treasures discovered in Britain in 2024.
It was a record year for archaeological discoveries and treasures in Britain, with the highest number recorded in a single year – largely thanks to metal detectors.
Figures released by the British Museum on Tuesday show that discoveries reported by the public accounted for 94% of the total, a significant increase over the past three years.
Metal detecting has grown in popularity and the museum said the finds demonstrated the contribution made by members of the public to documenting and preserving the nation’s history.
The museum showcased some of the most exceptional recent finds, including the hoard of 179 silver coins, probably buried on the eve of the battle of 1066. This was one of many hoards deposited during the 1060s, a time of significant political unrest, but this find only contained coins from the short reign of Harold II.
The museum said one possibility is that the treasure was deposited late in Harold’s reign, buried around the time of the Norwegian invasion of England in September 1066 by King Harald Hardrada. Harald is known to have briefly captured York after a battle at Fulford, a short distance from where the treasure was discovered.
Also on display was a complete copper alloy Roman vehicle accessory probably dating from around AD 43 to 200, which was discovered by a detectorist in Essex. The museum said equipment of this type for vehicles was rare in Britain and was probably attached to the body of a car or wagon or to the yoke that hitched draft animals to the vehicle.
The latest discoveries presented were a number of early medieval precious metal objects found in plowing ground in Wiltshire. These included a silver, gold and garnet bird’s head with elephant ivory inlays, perhaps from a drinking horn, several gold rings and other metal objects.
The pieces were discovered by detectives just meters apart and could be part of a high-ranking medieval burial. Together, they provide a window into elite lifestyles and international relations during this period. A follow-up excavation will be led by Cardiff University and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. [PAS] in the coming months.
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said the PAS and Treasure processes were “essential tools for preserving and recording Britain’s past, ensuring that the remarkable discoveries made by the public are protected, studied and made accessible to all”.
A total of 79,616 discoveries were recorded in 2024, compared to 74,506 in 2023 and 53,490 in 2022, and 1,540 hoard cases were reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2024, representing an increase of 163 on the previous year.
Under the Treasure Act 1996, treasure is defined as any metallic object, other than a coin, provided that at least 10% by weight is precious metal (gold or silver) and is at least 300 years old.
The counties recording the most PAS finds were Norfolk (7,120), Suffolk (5,410), Lincolnshire (5,133) and Gloucestershire (5,034), all agricultural counties known for their rich archaeological heritage. During the same period, Norfolk (138), Hampshire (110) and North Yorkshire (109) recorded the highest number of treasure discoveries.
More than 92% of the objects were recovered from cultivated land, where archaeological material is particularly vulnerable to agricultural damage.
Ian Richardson, the museum’s acting head of portable antiquities and treasures, said the continued increase in the number of finds was a “testament to the dedication of researchers across the country”.
He added: “Their responsible reporting allows us to build a richer and more detailed picture of life in the past, while ensuring that important objects are preserved for the public good. »
