2023 Was a Record Year for Archaeological Finds in the UK
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.
Early Medieval gold and garnet grave assemblage from near Donington on Bain, Lincolnshire. © The Trustees of the British Museum.
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.
Early Medieval silver penny of Guthrum from Norfolk. © The Trustees of the British Museum.
Malcolm Weale. Finder of the Early Medieval silver penny of Guthrum. Courtesy of Malcolm Weale.
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, Aethelstan (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.
David Altoft (left) and David Paddison (right). Finders of the Early Medieval gold and garnet grave assemblage. Courtesy of David Altoft and David Paddison.
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.
Post-Medieval gold “Phoenix” signet ring from Central Bedfordshire. © The Trustees of the British Museum
Andrew Akroyd. Finder of the post-Medieval gold “Phoenix” signet ring. Courtesy of Andrew Akroyd.
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.
Bronze Age anvil from Urchfont, Wiltshire. © The Trustees of the British Museum.
Bronze Age hoard from Urchfont, Wiltshire. Block being micro-excavated in conservation at the British Museum. The anvil is visible in the centre of the image. © The Trustees of the British Museum.
Bronze Age hoard from Urchfont, Wiltshire. Excavation team (left-right: Alix Smith, Finds Liaison Assistant; Neil Adam, Assistant. County Archaeologist; Dan Greenaway, finder). Courtesy of Alyson Tanner, Finds Liaison Assistant.
Bronze Age hoard from Urchfont, Wiltshire. Excavation of hoard block. Courtesy of Alyson Tanner, Finds Liaison Assistant
Bronze Age hoard from Urchfont, Wiltshire. Excavation of hoard block. Courtesy of Alyson Tanner, Finds Liaison Assistant.
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.
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.”
