"A hoard of 179 silver pennies, likely buried on the eve of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and a rare Roman vehicle fitting were among a record number of objects discovered in 2024 by the UK's army of metal detectorists. The British Museum (BM) announced today (20 January) that 79,616 archaeological discoveries had been uncovered by members of the public in 2024 while 1,540 of the finds were considered "treasure" (as defined by the UK's Treasure Act 1996)."
""These record-breaking figures are due in large part to metal detectorists, who account for 94% of recorded finds," a BM statement says. More than 7,000 items were discovered in Norfolk, in the east of England, alone while North Yorkshire recorded the highest numbers of treasure finds (109). All of the discoveries are registered under the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), a project that aims to record archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales."
"The hoard of 179 pennies may have been deposited late in Harold II's reign and could have been buried around the time of the Norwegian invasion of England in September 1066 by King Harald Hardrada, museum officials say. A complete copper-alloy Roman vehicle fitting that was likely attached to the body of a carriage or wagon or to the yoke of an animals, which was recently declared treasure, was found in Essex by a dectorist and dates to AD43-200."
79,616 archaeological discoveries were uncovered by members of the public in 2024, with 1,540 finds classified as treasure under the UK's Treasure Act 1996. Metal detectorists accounted for 94% of recorded finds. More than 7,000 items were discovered in Norfolk, and North Yorkshire recorded the most treasure finds (109). All discoveries were registered under the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). The Portable Antiquities Scheme is managed by the British Museum in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and makes records publicly available online. Notable finds include a hoard of 179 silver pennies linked to 1066 and a Roman copper-alloy vehicle fitting dated AD43–200.
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