Treasure hunting in England has reached an unprecedented peak, with official figures revealing a record number of precious historical objects were uncovered in 2024. A total of 1,540 treasure finds were officially recorded across the nation, but one region has firmly established itself as the country's undisputed hotspot for hidden historical wealth.
The UK's Treasure Trove: East of England Leads the Way
For enthusiasts wielding metal detectors, the east of England has once again proven to be an exceptionally rich hunting ground. The region, celebrated for its yields of Iron Age jewellery, medieval coins, and Viking silver, reported an impressive 388 treasure finds last year. Within this area, the county of Norfolk emerged as the standout location, alone accounting for 138 of these discoveries.
This surge in finds comes in the wake of a significant legal change. From July 2023, the official definition of 'treasure' was expanded. It now includes any metal object or coin over 200 years old that a coroner deems to be of outstanding historical, archaeological, or cultural importance, regardless of the metal it is made from.
Remarkable Discoveries Rewriting History
Since the law was updated, at least two significant finds have fallen under the new category. One is a 9th-century penny bearing the name of Aethelstan II, discovered in Norfolk in February 2024. Experts believe this coin holds special significance, likely being the first official issue by Aethelstan after the Viking warlord was baptised as a Christian.
The other is a uniquely shaped Roman copper alloy lamp, crafted in the form of a sandalled foot, which was found in Kent in July 2024. Norfolk also yielded a more intimate glimpse into the past: a Roman ear scoop, a personal hygiene tool used to remove earwax.
Dr Helen Geake, Norfolk's finds liaison officer, shared her passion for these personal connections with history. She told the BBC that handling such objects creates a "weird, otherworldly kind of contact with that owner." She added, "It's just a lovely object and when I record objects like this I think, 'Gosh, I really do have the best job in the world'."
Reporting Treasure and Regional Variations
The success of Norfolk is attributed to its historically well-populated landscape and a particularly active and dedicated community of metal detectorists. In stark contrast, London recorded the fewest finds in the country, with a mere eight items.
The data, released by the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, also showed 85 treasure finds in Wales and nine in Northern Ireland. Scotland operates under a separate treasure trove law. The previous year, 2023, also saw the east of England leading, with 1,343 treasure cases reported nationally.
Of all discoveries made in 2023, a staggering 95 per cent were found through metal detecting. The law is clear for those who make such discoveries: any suspected treasure must be reported to a local finds liaison officer within 14 days. Failure to do so can result in an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to three months.
