As a historian specializing in British archaeology, I am constantly amazed by the incredible finds that amateur metal detectorists unearth each year. Armed with just a metal detector and a passion for the past, these hobbyists have made some of the most significant archaeological discoveries of recent times, shedding new light on Britain‘s turbulent history from the Roman occupation through the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods to the late Middle Ages.
In this article, I will take you on a journey through the most remarkable finds made by British detectorists over the past few decades. We will explore the stories behind these discoveries, the methods used to conserve and identify them, and what they reveal about the societies that created them. Along the way, we will meet the unsung heroes of British archaeology – the dedicated amateurs whose tireless efforts are transforming our understanding of the nation‘s rich heritage.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme: Recording Britain‘s Past
Before we dive into the finds themselves, it‘s important to understand the legal and institutional framework that governs metal detecting in Britain. Since 1997, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) has encouraged detectorists to voluntarily report their finds to local Finds Liaison Officers, who record them on an online database. Finds deemed to be "treasure" under the Treasure Act 1996 – including gold and silver objects and hoards of coins – must be reported by law, and museums have the opportunity to acquire them at fair market value, with the proceeds split between the finder and landowner.
The PAS has been a resounding success, with over 1.5 million objects recorded to date. In 2019 alone, over 81,000 finds were reported, including 1,311 items of treasure. This vast corpus of material is transforming our understanding of British history, as PAS data is used by researchers to study everything from ancient trade networks to the impact of the Black Death.
Data from the Portable Antiquities Scheme showing the distribution of recorded finds by period. Image: PAS/British Museum
Monumental Hoards: Glimpses into a Turbulent Past
One of the most spectacular categories of metal-detected finds are hoards – large deposits of valuable objects buried for safekeeping, often during times of war or unrest. Detectorists have uncovered dozens of major hoards in recent years, each offering a unique snapshot of a particular period in British history.
The Staffordshire Hoard, discovered by Terry Herbert on farmland near Lichfield in 2009, is perhaps the most famous example. Comprising over 3,500 pieces of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver from the 7th-8th centuries AD, it is the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon metalwork ever found. Many of the items are weapon fittings from swords and seaxes (single-edged knives), including over 60 exquisitely decorated gold sword pommels.
Part of the magnificent Staffordshire Hoard on display at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Image: BBC/Getty Images
Dr. Helen Geake, archaeologist and trustee of the Staffordshire Hoard charity, believes the hoard represents the spoils of war: "My feeling is that the hoard is the collected sword fittings, taken from enemies in several successful battles, possibly by a warband or warlord operating from a Mercian power base." The quality and artistry of the metalwork is astonishing, attesting to the incredible skill of Anglo-Saxon craftsmen. As Geake puts it, "The hoard represents the possessions of the elite…at the very highest levels of Anglo-Saxon society."
Other monumental hoards have illuminated different chapters in Britain‘s past. The Vale of York Hoard, found by David Whelan and his son Andrew in 2007, contained 617 silver coins and 65 other items, including a rare gold arm-ring, all dating to the early 900s AD. It is thought to have been buried for safekeeping by a Viking leader during the turbulent period when Norse invaders were conquering and settling large parts of northern England.
The Galloway Hoard, discovered in Scotland in 2014 by Derek McLennan, is another Viking-era find of immense historical significance. Comprising over 100 gold and silver items from Ireland, the Isle of Man, Anglo-Saxon England and as far afield as Central Asia, it represents the astonishing interconnectedness of the Viking world.
Rare and unique items from the Galloway Hoard, including a gold bird pin and an enameled Christian cross. Image: National Museums Scotland
Dr. Martin Goldberg, Senior Curator of Medieval Archaeology at National Museums Scotland, which acquired the hoard in 2017, describes it as "unique in bringing together a remarkable variety of objects in one discovery, hinting at hitherto unknown connections between people across Europe and beyond."
Rewriting History: Detectorists and the "Dark Ages"
Perhaps no period of British history has been more illuminated by metal-detected finds than the so-called "Dark Ages" of the 5th-11th centuries AD. This era, spanning the fall of Roman Britain, the Anglo-Saxon settlements, and the Viking invasions, was once seen as a time of cultural regression and relative poverty compared to the heights of Roman civilization. Metal-detected finds have challenged this view, revealing a world of astonishing artistic achievement, long-distance trade, and cultural fusion.
The Staffordshire and Galloway Hoards are just two examples of the incredible metalwork being produced in this period. Other finds, like the Winfarthing Pendant – a gold and garnet Anglo-Saxon pendant found in Norfolk in 2017 – attest to the skill and sophistication of early medieval craftsmen. "The Winfarthing Pendant is a phenomenal piece of jewelry," says Dr. Tim Pestell, Senior Curator of Archaeology at Norwich Castle Museum. "It is one of the most elaborate and accomplished pieces of Anglo-Saxon goldwork ever discovered."
The exquisite Winfarthing Pendant, a masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon goldwork now on display at Norwich Castle Museum. Image: Norfolk Museums Service
Hoards of coins from this period, like the Watlington Hoard found by James Mather in Oxfordshire in 2015, are also rewriting history. The Watlington Hoard contained over 200 silver pennies from the time of Alfred the Great (871-899), including many rare "Two Emperors" coins minted to commemorate Alfred‘s truce with the Viking leader Guthrum. "The hoard is hugely significant," says Julian Baker, curator of early medieval coinage at the Ashmolean Museum. "It contains coins of Alfred the Great, who managed to turn the tide against the Vikings, and Ceolwulf II, who was written out of history as an insignificant puppet king but who is now emerging as a more important figure."
Detectorists have also played a crucial role in uncovering the impact of the Viking invasions on Anglo-Saxon England. Hoards like the Vale of York and Galloway finds shed light on the wealth and power of Viking leaders, while single finds of Anglo-Viking coinage and jewelry show the cultural blending that occurred as Norse settlers integrated into English society.
"The Viking Age was a time of change and adaptation," says Dr. Jane Kershaw, a Viking expert at the University of Oxford. "Metal-detected finds are giving us a much more nuanced picture of how Anglo-Saxon and Norse cultures interacted and influenced each other. We‘re seeing evidence of trade, intermarriage, and the adoption of new styles and traditions on both sides."
Everyday Treasures: The Personal Side of History
Not all metal-detected finds are great hoards or princely treasures. Many are small, personal items that offer intimate glimpses into the lives of ordinary people in the past. Detectorists have uncovered thousands of everyday objects like brooches, thimbles, buttons and rings, each with its own story to tell.
One of the most poignant examples is the North Yorkshire Bible, discovered by detectorists Buffy and Ian Bailey in 2021. This tiny gold bible, just 1.5cm long and dating to the 15th century, is inscribed with figures thought to be patron saints of childbirth. "It‘s possible this object was commissioned by someone whose wife was pregnant, as an act of prayer or perhaps thanksgiving," says Dr. Helen Geake. "It‘s a very personal, intimate item that gives us a real sense of the hopes and fears of medieval people."
The North Yorkshire Bible, a tiny gold devotional pendant dated to the 15th century. Image: Buffy and Ian Bailey
Other finds hint at the everyday activities and pastimes of past societies. In 2020, detectorist Andy Herd discovered a rare Anglo-Saxon gaming piece near Norwich, dated to the 7th century. The piece, made of black glass with blue and white glass decorations, would have been used to play Ludus Latrunculorum, a game similar to draughts or chess. "It‘s a high-status object that tells us board games were being played in early Anglo-Saxon England," says Tim Pestell of Norwich Castle Museum. "It‘s a fascinating glimpse into the leisure activities of the period."
Even seemingly mundane finds can yield unexpected insights. In 2019, an amateur detectorist uncovered a Roman furniture fitting in the shape of a male bust at a site in Gloucestershire. The fitting, dated to the 2nd century AD, is made of copper alloy and would have adorned a chest or couch. What makes it unusual is the hairstyle on the bust – a mop of curls piled high above the forehead, a style associated with empresses like Domitia Longina, wife of Emperor Domitian. "It‘s very rare to find depictions of imperial women on everyday objects like this," says Dr. Miles Russell, an archaeologist at Bournemouth University. "It suggests that people in Roman Britain were more aware of imperial fashions and politics than we might have thought."
The Future of Discovery: What Remains to Be Found?
With so many spectacular finds already uncovered, what might still be waiting to be discovered beneath Britain‘s soil? According to experts, there are many more treasures to be found, from the mundane to the truly extraordinary.
"We‘ve barely scratched the surface," says Dr. Michael Lewis, Head of Portable Antiquities & Treasure at the British Museum. "Every year, detectorists are uncovering new types of objects and shedding light on periods and regions that have been underrepresented in the archaeological record. There‘s still so much to learn."
Some of the most sought-after potential finds include:
- More Viking hoards, particularly in the north and west of England where Viking settlement was concentrated
- Rare coins from the reigns of little-known Anglo-Saxon kings like Ceolwulf II and Aethelberht II
- High-status Roman objects like the Staffordshire Moorlands Pan, a copper trulla (saucepan) found in 2003 and inscribed with the names of forts on Hadrian‘s Wall
- Prehistoric metalwork like the Bronze Age Ringlemere Cup, discovered in Kent in 2001
- Medieval pilgrimage badges and souvenirs from sites like Canterbury and Walsingham
- Objects related to the court of Henry VIII, whose peripatetic lifestyle meant that royal possessions were scattered across the country
"The real holy grail would be another find like the Staffordshire Hoard," says Dr. Helen Geake. "A hoard that size, with that quality of metalwork, is probably a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. But that doesn‘t mean there aren‘t more out there waiting to be found."
A metal detectorist at work in a field. Who knows what secrets lie beneath the soil? Image: The Guardian
As long as there are passionate amateurs willing to brave the elements in pursuit of the past, Britain‘s rich history will continue to be unearthed, one beep of the metal detector at a time. The PAS and Treasure Act have created a framework that encourages responsible detecting and ensures that important finds end up in museum collections, where they can be studied and enjoyed by all.
The contribution of metal detectorists to our understanding of British history cannot be overstated. From the glittering wonders of the Staffordshire Hoard to the poignant personal touches of the North Yorkshire Bible, their finds are rewriting the story of our island nation, one discovery at a time.
