2023 biggest year for archaeological finds made by public
Key information
The British Museum has launched the latest Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Annual Report, showing a record high of 74,506 finds recorded by the public in 2023.
Reported finds for 2023 were up sharply from the previous year's report (53,490) and the vast majority of objects were found by people metal-detecting at 95% and in agricultural regions. Most finds were made on cultivated land where they would otherwise have been lost to ploughing and farm activity.
Regionally, Lincolnshire and Norfolk led the way with the most reported finds, contributing 6,674 and 6,315 finds respectively. Somerset also had a record year thanks to a hoard made up of 5,500 Roman coins, pushing their total for the year to 6,849.
Also launched was the Treasure Annual Report for 2022, giving details on 1,377 Treasure finds. Norfolk again holds the title of the most Treasure finds with 95 finds comprising over 170 objects being reported.
Featured at the launch of the annual report was an early medieval silver penny of Guthrum of East Anglia found in Norfolk; it was the first find declared Treasure under the new significance-based criteria since the changes in legislation. The penny was issued in Guthrum's baptismal name, Æthelstan (II), and was the first silver coin minted by a Viking ruler in Britain. It therefore sheds important historical context on the period, and is an important piece of the nation's history.
Also showcased was an exquisite early medieval gold and garnet grave assemblage from Donington on Bain, Lincolnshire. The grave goods found here are likely from the ploughed-out grave of high-status women dating to the 7th century. The other example of stunning gold jewellery at the launch was a post-medieval gold signet ring from Central Bedfordshire. The ring is typical for the period but features an engraving of a Phoenix – which was associated with Elizabeth I – this ring could have potentially been worn by one of her supporters and was found in the vicinity of several royal hunting parks.
The final object on display was an Bronze Age hoard from Urchfont, Wiltshire. It was block lifted and then excavated by British Museum conservators who found a rare Bronze Age anvil inside. This find, had it not been reported straight away by the detectorist and excavated might have been mistaken for modern agricultural equipment and this incredibly rare find would have been lost.
Quotes
Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said: 'It's exciting to see such a positive year for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, with a record number of finds reported – and some stunning new objects on display. This success is a testament to the hundreds of metal detectorists who contribute their time to making these valuable discoveries – and then report their finds to us. The work of the finders, volunteers and Finds Liaison Officers has created the largest database of its kind, providing a wealth of information to the public on their nation's history.'
Michael Lewis, Head of PAS and Treasure at the British Museum, said: '2023 was an incredibly successful year the Portable Antiquities Scheme and it is great to see such a high number of finders, showing us their discoveries to advance our knowledge of Britain's past. Over 70,000 archaeological items were recorded onto the PAS database. Although finders are required to report Treasure, most of these finds are reported on a voluntary basis, which makes this a truly remarkable contribution.'
Sir Chris Bryant, Arts Minister, said: 'It is fantastic to have a record year for historic finds and discoveries, which will be going to museums around the country, sharing new insights into our rich history.
'The wealth of information these discoveries provide play a vital role in helping to tell our national story. It is thanks to the outstanding effort from those who search for and report their discoveries that these treasures can be shared with the public to enjoy and learn from.'
Notes to editors
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the definition of Treasure is any find which when discovered:
- Is a non-coin object with at least 10 per cent of its weight being gold or silver and is at least 300 years old.
- Consists of two or more coins with at least 10 per cent gold or silver or 10 or more base metal coins that are at least 300 years old.
- Is a group of two or more prehistoric base-metal objects.
- Is a prehistoric object with any amount of precious metal.
- Is an object of any material that is part of the 'same find' as an item of Treasure (for instance, the ceramic vessel containing a coin hoard).
- Does not meet the above criteria but is made of more than 50% precious metal, was hidden with the intention of future recovery and whose original owner is unknown.
- If found after 30 July 2023, an object may be potential Treasure if it does not meet the above criteria but is made at least partially of metal, is at least 200 years old, and provides exceptional insight into an aspect of national or regional history, archaeology or culture by virtue of one or more of the following:
- its rarity as an example of its type found in the United Kingdom,
- the location, region or part of the United Kingdom in which it was found, or,
- its connection with a particular person or event.
Under the Treasure Act finders have a legal obligation to report all finds of potential Treasure to the local coroner in the district in which the find was made. The success of the Act is only possible through the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, advising finders of their legal obligations, providing advice on the process and writing reports for coroners on Treasure finds.
The Act allows a national or local museum to acquire Treasure finds for public benefit. If this happens a reward is paid, which is (normally) shared equally between the finder and landowner. Interested parties may wish to waive their right to a reward, enabling museums to acquire finds at reduced or no cost. Rewards are fixed at the full market value of the finds, determined by the Secretary of State upon the advice of an independent panel of experts, known as the Treasure Valuation Committee.
The administration of the Treasure process is undertaken at the British Museum. This work involves the preparation of Treasure cases for coroners' inquests, providing the secretariat for the Treasure Valuation Committee, and handling disclaimed cases and the payment of rewards.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS)
Managed by the British Museum in England, and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museums Wales in Wales, the PAS is a partnership project, working with at least 117 national and local partners to deliver the Scheme's aims. It is funded (in England) through the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's grant-in-aid to the British Museum with local partner contributions. All the Finds Advisors, Finds Liaison Officers and Finds Liaison Assistants (in England) working for the PAS are employed locally but work as a national team directed by the British Museum.
Thousands of archaeological objects are discovered every year, many by members of the public, most by people while metal-detecting. If recorded, these finds have great potential to transform archaeological knowledge, helping archaeologists understand when, where and how people lived in the past. The PAS offers the only proactive mechanism for recording such finds, which are made publicly available on its online database.
The PAS has also benefitted from internships funded by the Headley Trust, providing opportunities for people to develop a career in archaeology. Also, the Graham and Joanna Barker Fund, which has enabled extra support for the PAS in areas where resources are low. The PAS welcomes anyone interested in supporting its work locally to contact the British Museum.
Many organisations have also supported the acquisition of Treasure finds, including Art Fund, the Headley Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the V&A Purchase Grant Fund. Without these, as well as public donations, many important archaeological finds would not be in public collections.
