Norfolk has emerged as the top treasure trove in England, with a record-breaking number of archaeological discoveries in 2024, according to the latest figures released by the British Museum. The county has surpassed other regions, including Hampshire and North Yorkshire, in the number of significant finds reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Among the most spectacular discoveries was a copper-alloy Roman vehicle fitting found near Harlow, Essex, which experts believe would have been a bright orange colour and adorned the carriage of a wealthy individual. Additionally, a hoard of 179 silver pennies minted during the brief reign of King Harold II in 1066 was unearthed near York, providing a unique glimpse into the turbulent events surrounding the Norman Conquest.
The British Museum’s director, Dr Nicholas Cullinan, emphasised the importance of preserving and recording Britain’s past, as the majority of the finds – over 92% – were recovered from cultivated land, where they are particularly vulnerable to agricultural damage.
“It’s the agricultural land, we’ve got a big treasure team in Norfolk, and we’ve got loads and loads of detectorists,” said Dr Helen Geake, the county’s finds liaison officer. “It was also a rich county before the Industrial Revolution, going back years, we’ve been rich since the beginning, and a lot of rich people are careless; they’re less likely to look for the stuff they’ve lost.”
Other regions also contributed significantly to the treasure trove, with Suffolk recording 5,410 finds, Lincolnshire yielding 5,133, and Gloucestershire 5,034. The British Museum’s annual report, which covers the year 2024, has just been released, showcasing the remarkable diversity and historical significance of the discoveries.
Lori Rogerson, the finds liaison officer for Essex, praised the Harlow fitting, stating, “The Harlow fitting will quickly become one of Essex’s most iconic archaeological objects.” The item, which features a female panther resting its paws on a severed head, was declared treasure under the newly introduced significance-based criteria of the Treasure Act 1996.
The museum also highlighted some spectacular early medieval finds from Wiltshire, including a silver, gold, and garnet bird’s-head terminal with elephant ivory inlays, possibly from a drinking horn, as well as several gold rings and other metal objects. These discoveries are believed to be part of a high-status burial, and a follow-up excavation will be led by Cardiff University and the Portable Antiquities Scheme in the coming months.
The continued rise in the number of finds reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which saw 79,616 discoveries in 2024, up from 74,506 in 2023 and 53,490 in 2022, is a testament to the dedication of finders across the country, according to Ian Richardson, the museum’s acting head of portable antiquities and treasure.
“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 public benefit,” Richardson said.
The British government’s Culture Minister, Baroness Twycross, expressed gratitude to the finders, landowners, museums, and all involved in the treasure process, stating that these discoveries provide a rare opportunity to display and educate future generations about Britain’s rich history.
