In 2022, the soil of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland revealed a record-breaking 1,377 cases of treasure, a dazzling leap of 305 finds from the previous year, surpassing even the previous high of 2019, according to the Treasure Act 1996 Annual Report. From Viking hoards to medieval signet rings, these discoveries are rewriting history and captivating imaginations, with metal detectorists at the heart of this archaeological gold rush.
Norfolk reigned supreme as the treasure capital, unearthing 95 discoveries that included over 170 objects. Under the Treasure Act, suspected treasures must be reported, with coroners determining if they meet the criteria to become Crown property, potentially destined for museum collections. A 2023 update expanded the definition of treasure to include objects partially made of metal, at least 200 years old, and offering exceptional insight into national or regional history, archaeology, or culture.
Among the standout finds is the Chew Valley Hoard, the most valuable treasure ever recorded, and a silver penny of Guthrum, the East Anglian Viking king, declared treasure in September 2024. This coin, the first known silver coin minted by a Viking ruler in Britain, marks a historic milestone. Detectorist Malcolm Weale proudly showcased this rare find at the British Museum’s annual treasure launch in London, alongside Andy Akroyd, who displayed a medieval gold signet ring linked to Queen Elizabeth I, engraved with a mythical phoenix bird—possibly worn by one of her admirers.
Other remarkable discoveries include a Somerset hoard of 2,584 silver coins, now housed by the South West Heritage Trust with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Art Fund, and local heritage groups.
n Lincolnshire, early medieval gold and garnet artefacts from Donington on Bain dazzled experts, while a Bronze Age hoard from Urchfont, Wiltshire, excavated by British Museum conservators, revealed a rare anvil among its riches. These finds, often uncovered in agricultural fields, might have been lost forever to ploughing without the keen eyes of detectorists.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) recorded an astonishing 74,506 archaeological items in 2023, a sharp rise from 53,490 in 2022. With 95% of these finds attributed to metal detectorists, their voluntary contributions are transforming our understanding of Britain’s past.
Michael Lewis, head of PAS and treasure at the British Museum, hailed 2023 as a “truly remarkable” year, noting that while treasure reporting is mandatory, most finds are shared willingly, enriching historical knowledge.
Lincolnshire and Norfolk led the pack with 6,674 and 6,315 finds, respectively, while Somerset’s haul of 6,849 objects was boosted by a massive hoard of 5,500 Roman coins. From Bronze Age tools dating back 3,300 years to glittering Elizabethan relics, the dirt beneath Britain continues to spill its secrets, and detectorists are unearthing a legacy that bridges the past with the present.
