50 Finds

Objects dropped by our ancestors can tell us a lot about the past and the landscape in which they were lost or deposited. Many finds, notably those made by metal-detector users, have been recorded throughout Surrey since 2003 by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which is based at the British Museum. The present county of Surrey covers bands of different geological strata, such as clay and chalk, and sand and gravel. These have influenced the activities of past peoples, and where they lived and worked – and also where they mostly avoided. By looking at objects discovered in Surrey, and by recording where they were found, we can understand these activities better and begin to see ancient peoples as they moved through landscapes familiar to us today. Surrey has revealed its past to us through finds of flint implements; through axes, hoards and ingots from the Bronze Age; through Iron Age and Roman coins and figurines, and through items lost in other historical periods, such as buckles and brooches, seals and rings, weights and harness attachments. Using recent discoveries of archaeological objects, 50 Finds from Surrey allows us to glimpse into a hidden past that is all around us.

Home to the first recorded town in Britain, Essex has a vast wealth of history. However, historical accounts of the county have tended to focus on the major settlements and have left large parts unexplored. Through the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), alongside continuing professional excavations, it has been possible to fill in those gaps. Not only have there been many objects recorded with the PAS that are individually significant, but recording these finds has allowed us to identify many new archaeological sites that had previously been unrecognised.From Bronze Age hoards to Medieval pilgrim badges, the PAS records for Essex cover every period in history. The Burnham-on-Crouch hoard provides insight into the burial of objects in the Late Bronze Age, while the Ardleigh pommel highlights the incredible skill of Anglo-Saxon goldsmiths. The work of the PAS also provides evidence of how people continue to deposit objects today. Some of these finds have improved our understanding of society in the past, while others can be admired for their beauty alone. 50 Finds from Essex showcases a select group of objects recorded with the PAS and explains their significance within our wider understanding of the archaeology of Essex.

50 Roman Finds From the Portable Antiquities Scheme highlights some of the most important and interesting Roman objects recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) or reported as Treasure. It features a wide variety of objects, allowing for a balanced presentation of both well-preserved everyday objects and some of the most spectacular finds to have been recorded by the PAS. Iconic objects featured here include the Crosby Garrett helmet and the Ilam pan. Collectively, the fifty examples featured here exemplify the cosmopolitan culture of the Roman world and help shed further light on a fascinating period of British history.

The objects of our ancestors can tell us a lot about the past, from what was happening with the economy and changes in fashion to where people traded, lived and worked. Through them, we can discover the story of everyday people who don't appear in documentary accounts. The North West is traditionally seen as devoid of archaeology; however, through the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme alongside more recent traditional archaeological investigations, this view is changing. By looking at objects discovered in Cheshire, recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, we can re-evaluate our knowledge of the past within the county. Cheshire has revealed its past to us through axes from the Bronze Age, Roman hoards, Viking silver, Medieval and Post-medieval jewellery. Within the past few years, three important Roman hoards have been discovered in the county demonstrating that Romanisation took hold. The impressive Huxley hoard brings us into the Early Medieval period. A variety of both functional and decorative objects tells us more about the people who lived and worked throughout our communities. 50 Finds from Cheshire allows us to look at snapshots of our past using archaeological finds to illuminate what has previously been hidden from us.

Somerset has a varied landscape, from upland Exmoor to the low-lying wetland levels and moors, and the mineral rich Mendips to the agricultural land of South Somerset. This diversity has shaped, and been shaped by, our predecessors – millions of people who have lived and worked in the area. Often, the only traces of these people's lives are the small objects they left behind, from the stone tools of prehistoric people to the remains of Roman trade and fashions and medieval and post-medieval objects reflecting prosperity and conflict. In recent years the Portable Antiquities Scheme has recorded thousands of objects found by members of the public and these have helped to enhance, and often reshape, our knowledge of the past. Discoveries by members of the public have brought new sites to light and have led to further research and understanding. This book publishes many of these new discoveries for the first time in an accessible way.