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Shattering previous records, treasure discoveries in England have reached an all-time high, with unique items like a lamp resembling a human foot and an earwax scoop among the intriguing finds. According to preliminary government data compiled by the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, there were 1,446 unearthed treasures in England in 2024, showing a significant increase from the 1,266 found the previous year. The region of eastern England emerged as the most prolific area for discoveries, with 388 treasures uncovered last year, showcasing its prominence in historical artifacts.
Metal detectorists like Emma Youell have played a crucial role in these discoveries, unearthing numerous artifacts and building relationships throughout the UK. Emma, who describes herself as a “massive history nerd,” emphasizes the value of these finds in contributing to our knowledge of history. Among her notable discoveries are a hammered coin with the portrait of Henry VIII, dating back to the Tudor era, and gold coins from Iron Age tribes that are approximately 2,000 years old.
In a significant development, the treasure finds in 2024 included two items that meet the revised definition of treasure. The criteria for treasure were expanded in July 2023 to include objects at least 200 years old of exceptional historical, archaeological, or cultural significance, irrespective of the metal they are made from. In addition to England’s record finds, Wales reported 85 treasures, while Northern Ireland, which has specific restrictions on archaeological object searches, recorded nine finds. Scotland, having its regulations on treasure trove, did not integrate its figures in the provisional data for 2024.
One of the unique discoveries under this new definition was a 9th-century penny found in Norfolk, which saw the most treasures found among all English counties in 2024. Dr. Helen Geake, Norfolk’s finds liaison officer, speculates that the area’s richness in arable fields, historical population, and collaborative efforts between detectorists and archaeologists may explain the high number of discoveries. The coin was issued by Aethelstan II, a Viking warlord turned Christian king, symbolizing the transition from raiding Vikings to peaceful settlers in English history
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