King Harold’s coins from 1066 and Roman artefacts top UK treasures of 2024 | archeology

Among the archaeological finds and treasures unearthed in Britain in 2024 are a hoard of pennies associated with Harold II, likely buried on the eve of battle in 1066, rare Roman chariot mounts, and a collection of objects dating from the early Middle Ages.

It has been a record year for archaeological and treasure discoveries in Britain, with the highest number recorded in a single year – thanks in large part to metal detectors.

Figures released by the British Museum on Tuesday showed that discoveries reported by the public represented 94% of the total, representing a significant increase over the past three years.

Metal detectors have risen in popularity, and the museum said the discoveries demonstrated the contribution made by members of the public in documenting and preserving the nation’s history.

The museum has displayed some of the most extraordinary recent finds, including a hoard of 179 silver pennies, probably buried on the eve of battle in 1066. It is one of many hoards deposited during the 1160s, a period of great political turmoil, but this find only contains coins from the short reign of Harold II.

One possibility is that the treasure was deposited late in Harold’s reign, and was buried around the time of the Norwegian invasion of England in September 1066 by King Harald Hardrada, the museum said. It is known that Harald briefly captured York after the battle at Fulford, only a short distance from where the treasure was found.

Also on display are complete copper-alloy Roman chariot fittings dating from around 43 to 200 AD, discovered by an explorer in Essex. The museum said that vehicle fittings of this type were rare in Britain, and were likely attached to the body of a cart or wagon or to the yoke that attached draft animals to the vehicle.

The final finds on display were a number of valuable medieval metal objects found in plowed soil in Wiltshire. These pieces included a bird’s head in silver, gold, and carnelian inlaid with elephant ivory, perhaps from a drinking horn, and numerous gold rings and other metal objects.

The pieces were discovered by explorers a few meters away, and may have formed part of a high-profile early medieval burial. Together they provide a window into elite lifestyles and international contacts during this period. Cardiff University and the Portable Antiquities Scheme will lead the subsequent excavation [PAS] In the coming months.

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said PAS and Operation Treasure are “vital tools for preserving and recording Britain’s past, ensuring that remarkable discoveries made by the public are protected, studied and made available to all”.

In total, 79,616 finds were recorded in 2024, up from 74,506 in 2023 and 53,490 in 2022, and 1,540 treasure cases were reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2024, representing an increase of 163 cases on the previous year.

According to the Treasure Act 1996, treasure is defined as any metallic object, other than a coin, provided that at least 10% of its weight is precious metal (gold or silver) and it is at least 300 years old.

The counties with the most PAS finds are 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 artifacts were recovered from cultivated lands, where archaeological materials are particularly vulnerable to agricultural damage.

Ian Richardson, acting head of the museum’s Portable Antiquities and Treasures Department, said the continued rise in the number of finds was “testament to the dedication of antiquities hunters across the country”.

“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 benefit,” he added.