The period between 1500 and the present day has directly formed the world we live in. Growing population, increased urbanisation, industrialisation, and ever quickening pace of movement and technological change have radically reshaped society, global connections and individuals’ horizons. It is the time from which we have the most written records, pictures, and, later, photos and videos. Archaeology’s contribution to understanding this period might therefore be less obvious, but it has great potential to connect us to people’s lived experience.Artefacts provide important evidence where records may not exist, such as private beliefs, social lives and informal dress. They bear witness to those less likely to appear in historical records, such as the poor and children. Objects also provide a tangible link to events. In doing so they confront us with their reality and the experience of the individual humans who lived through this most formative of periods.

The many artefacts discovered by members of the public and recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) provide an unparalleled resource for information relating to childhood in the past. The fifty objects presented here have been selected from across England and Wales; they span prehistory through to the modern age and include items both of national significance and those of everyday use. This unique and diverse collection by the PAS illustrates a variety of beliefs around childhood, including activities relating to childbirth, infant care, clothing, work and play. Each object, whether made for children or adapted by them, has been chosen to explore past expectations towards children and their relationships with the wider world. Collectively, these artefacts provide an insight into, and a connection with, childhood across the ages, much of which still has relevance today.

From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Battle of Hastings, the early medieval period is one of our most engaging historical eras. It covers the formation of the kingdoms and countries of Britain, the establishment of Christianity, Viking invaders and semi-mythical monarchs. Sometimes mischaracterised as the ‘Dark Ages’, it was in fact a time of tremendous advances in art, technology and trade. The fifty objects in this book are some of the most important and interesting archaeological finds illuminating this span of history. They include weaponry, horse fittings, hacksilver hoards and jewellery featuring the sinuous knotwork of the period’s animal art, from the humblest of pins and brooches to the gold and garnet wonders of the Staffordshire Hoard. Each was found by a member of the public and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which has recorded over 1.5 million items in England and Wales. Through these objects and their stories, we can understand this fascinating and perhaps most misunderstood period of history.

The Viking Age was a transformative period of British history. From the eighth to the eleventh centuries, people from over the North Sea raided, invaded, settled, and contributed to the development of the British Isles in various ways. Here the story of the Viking Age and its enduring impact is told through fifty carefully chosen treasures and trinkets; everything from the mundane to the magnificent, from the tiniest trading weight to the most elaborate brooch.In this book the incredible work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, impossible without countless metal detectorists, is put on display to assess the impact of the Vikings as the narrative moves from first contact to their lasting legacy.

Flint and stone finds hold a unique place in the archaeological record as they represent all that survives from most of the human past. The Stone Age did not end with the introduction of metals and some of the finest lithic objects date from the Bronze Age and the use of flint and stone has continued into recent times. These items can have a strange, gem-like quality – 500,000-year-old flint hand axes, recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, show a symmetry and grace that we can still admire today. Great skill and effort went into making flint and stone objects and how they were produced is examined here. Humanly worked flints are surprisingly common and, in fact, they are found everywhere. This book provides guidance on what to look for and how to recognise worked flint. It shows what can be commonly found along with superb objects recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Flint and stone implements are best seen in context and supporting commentary and images show something of the cultures that produced this material and how we came to discover them.

Objects in the past were often decorated with the images of animals, birds and fish which still charm and delight us today. Finds recorded by the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme give a unique view of these creatures, but what did they mean to the people who made and used them? Some were purely decorative, but many carried deeper, symbolic meanings being attributes of particular gods or saints who, it was hoped, would give their blessing and protection. Mythological creatures are featured here along with mysterious beings of uncertain origin and hidden power. Familiar, companion and domesticated animals appear along with wild beasts, both British and exotic. Depictions were sometimes humorous, others carrying warnings or advice. Animals appear in fables and children’s stories and still form part of our culture today.The animals recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme present a fascinating, multi-layered story, touching on both people and the creatures with whom we share the world.

Yorkshire has been at the heart of English history for over 2,000 years and has been shaped by Roman and Viking invaders, the conflict of the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil Wars. With such a wealth of heritage to uncover, 50 Finds from Yorkshire considers the spectacular and the everyday finds that help to illuminate Yorkshire’s hidden past.Objects found by the public, and recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, have produced some of the most important discoveries from the region in recent times. These finds have helped to refine our understanding of Yorkshire’s history and the lives of the people who lived there. Ranging from spectacular hoards of silver buried by the Vikings to unique Celtic fittings which show that people in Yorkshire had their own style, these finds can be woven into the narrative of the past. They also get us closer than ever to the ordinary people, with seals naming individuals and trader’s tokens identifying occupations. There are also tantalising glimpses of the Roman cult of Mithras active in rural Yorkshire. Every object found is another thread in the rich tapestry that is the history of Yorkshire.50 Finds from Yorkshire highlights these amazing discoveries and explores how they help to define our understanding of one of the most significant areas of Britain.

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.

It is said of Orkney that if you scratch the surface, it bleeds archaeology.Orkney is a county just off the north of Scotland comprising of almost seventy islands with a long and fascinating history. This volume aims to highlight fifty artefacts that are iconic artefacts from our better known sites, and bring to light some artefacts of its lesser known history, featuring artefacts from the Mesolithic period, such as flint scatter, to the modern era – a dog collar washed up from a Second World War shipwreck.The jewel in the crown of Orkneys heritage is, Skara Brae, a settlement built over 5,000 years ago. Built in stone, it remains one of the best preserved and most important Neolithic settlements in the world, and produced some fascinating artefacts. The site was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999 and belongs to the group of sites known as ‘the Heart of Neolithic Orkney’.Also included are Roman finds from Iron Age sites. There is no evidence that the Romans made it to Orkney, so each Roman find is an important indicator of trade and contact. The Picts left behind large carved stones, the ‘Peedie Pict’ engraved gaming piece, beads, painted pebbles and elaborate combs. From the eighth century we have the Norse arrivals, and with them some elaborate boat burials, including the one at Scar where the iconic ‘Scar Plaque’ linen smoother was discovered, among other high status grave goods. The Medieval period in Orkney is less well-known, and we have some artefacts that highlight not just the personal, like a gold finger ring and seal matrix, but that illustrate Orkneys political and religious importance following its annexing to Scotland in 1468.

British Bronze Age artefacts made from copper, bronze, gold, flint, jet and shale are renowned throughout Europe for their beauty and exquisite craftsmanship. In England and Wales, many new discoveries are made each year by members of the public and recorded with the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme. Recent nationally important finds include the gold lunula from Tarrant Valley (Dorset) and the gold and silver striped penannular ring from Havant (Hampshire). The metalwork hoard from Boughton Malherbe (Kent) is the third largest metalwork hoard ever discovered in Britain.Here, Dot Boughton investigates finds and hoards discovered over the last twenty years and uses them to discuss the development of the different Bronze Age weapon, tool, vessel and ornament types from their humble origins to their individual peaks in the Early, Middle and Late Bronze Age.

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.

Since 1997 the Portable Antiquities Scheme has recorded almost 1.5 million objects found in England and Wales, the vast majority discovered by members of the public rather than professional archaeologists. Among these finds are more than 10,000 early medieval coins. Each one of these coins has its own story to tell, from its minting, use and loss through to its eventual recovery and recording.In this book, Dr John Naylor, the PAS’s National Finds Adviser for Early Medieval and Later Coinage, explores the Anglo-Saxon world through these coin finds, tracing the development of coinage from the end of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and how they were used by early medieval people. As well as their use in trading, he shows how they can help us to understand how the Anglo-Saxons saw themselves through looking at coin design and iconography, and how they were used in diverse and interesting ways such as their inclusion in burials and hoards, and their re-use as items of jewellery.

The period between 1500 and the present day has directly formed the world we live in. Growing population, increased urbanisation, industrialisation, and ever quickening pace of movement and technological change have radically reshaped society, global connections and individuals’ horizons. It is the time from which we have the most written records, pictures, and, later, photos and videos. Archaeology’s contribution to understanding this period might therefore be less obvious, but it has great potential to connect us to people’s lived experience.Artefacts provide important evidence where records may not exist, such as private beliefs, social lives and informal dress. They bear witness to those less likely to appear in historical records, such as the poor and children. Objects also provide a tangible link to events. In doing so they confront us with their reality and the experience of the individual humans who lived through this most formative of periods.

The many artefacts discovered by members of the public and recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) provide an unparalleled resource for information relating to childhood in the past. The fifty objects presented here have been selected from across England and Wales; they span prehistory through to the modern age and include items both of national significance and those of everyday use. This unique and diverse collection by the PAS illustrates a variety of beliefs around childhood, including activities relating to childbirth, infant care, clothing, work and play. Each object, whether made for children or adapted by them, has been chosen to explore past expectations towards children and their relationships with the wider world. Collectively, these artefacts provide an insight into, and a connection with, childhood across the ages, much of which still has relevance today.

From the fall of the Roman Empire to the Battle of Hastings, the early medieval period is one of our most engaging historical eras. It covers the formation of the kingdoms and countries of Britain, the establishment of Christianity, Viking invaders and semi-mythical monarchs. Sometimes mischaracterised as the ‘Dark Ages’, it was in fact a time of tremendous advances in art, technology and trade. The fifty objects in this book are some of the most important and interesting archaeological finds illuminating this span of history. They include weaponry, horse fittings, hacksilver hoards and jewellery featuring the sinuous knotwork of the period’s animal art, from the humblest of pins and brooches to the gold and garnet wonders of the Staffordshire Hoard. Each was found by a member of the public and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which has recorded over 1.5 million items in England and Wales. Through these objects and their stories, we can understand this fascinating and perhaps most misunderstood period of history.

The Viking Age was a transformative period of British history. From the eighth to the eleventh centuries, people from over the North Sea raided, invaded, settled, and contributed to the development of the British Isles in various ways. Here the story of the Viking Age and its enduring impact is told through fifty carefully chosen treasures and trinkets; everything from the mundane to the magnificent, from the tiniest trading weight to the most elaborate brooch.In this book the incredible work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, impossible without countless metal detectorists, is put on display to assess the impact of the Vikings as the narrative moves from first contact to their lasting legacy.

Flint and stone finds hold a unique place in the archaeological record as they represent all that survives from most of the human past. The Stone Age did not end with the introduction of metals and some of the finest lithic objects date from the Bronze Age and the use of flint and stone has continued into recent times. These items can have a strange, gem-like quality – 500,000-year-old flint hand axes, recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, show a symmetry and grace that we can still admire today. Great skill and effort went into making flint and stone objects and how they were produced is examined here. Humanly worked flints are surprisingly common and, in fact, they are found everywhere. This book provides guidance on what to look for and how to recognise worked flint. It shows what can be commonly found along with superb objects recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Flint and stone implements are best seen in context and supporting commentary and images show something of the cultures that produced this material and how we came to discover them.

Objects in the past were often decorated with the images of animals, birds and fish which still charm and delight us today. Finds recorded by the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme give a unique view of these creatures, but what did they mean to the people who made and used them? Some were purely decorative, but many carried deeper, symbolic meanings being attributes of particular gods or saints who, it was hoped, would give their blessing and protection. Mythological creatures are featured here along with mysterious beings of uncertain origin and hidden power. Familiar, companion and domesticated animals appear along with wild beasts, both British and exotic. Depictions were sometimes humorous, others carrying warnings or advice. Animals appear in fables and children’s stories and still form part of our culture today.The animals recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme present a fascinating, multi-layered story, touching on both people and the creatures with whom we share the world.

Yorkshire has been at the heart of English history for over 2,000 years and has been shaped by Roman and Viking invaders, the conflict of the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil Wars. With such a wealth of heritage to uncover, 50 Finds from Yorkshire considers the spectacular and the everyday finds that help to illuminate Yorkshire’s hidden past.Objects found by the public, and recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, have produced some of the most important discoveries from the region in recent times. These finds have helped to refine our understanding of Yorkshire’s history and the lives of the people who lived there. Ranging from spectacular hoards of silver buried by the Vikings to unique Celtic fittings which show that people in Yorkshire had their own style, these finds can be woven into the narrative of the past. They also get us closer than ever to the ordinary people, with seals naming individuals and trader’s tokens identifying occupations. There are also tantalising glimpses of the Roman cult of Mithras active in rural Yorkshire. Every object found is another thread in the rich tapestry that is the history of Yorkshire.50 Finds from Yorkshire highlights these amazing discoveries and explores how they help to define our understanding of one of the most significant areas of Britain.

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.

It is said of Orkney that if you scratch the surface, it bleeds archaeology.Orkney is a county just off the north of Scotland comprising of almost seventy islands with a long and fascinating history. This volume aims to highlight fifty artefacts that are iconic artefacts from our better known sites, and bring to light some artefacts of its lesser known history, featuring artefacts from the Mesolithic period, such as flint scatter, to the modern era – a dog collar washed up from a Second World War shipwreck.The jewel in the crown of Orkneys heritage is, Skara Brae, a settlement built over 5,000 years ago. Built in stone, it remains one of the best preserved and most important Neolithic settlements in the world, and produced some fascinating artefacts. The site was given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1999 and belongs to the group of sites known as ‘the Heart of Neolithic Orkney’.Also included are Roman finds from Iron Age sites. There is no evidence that the Romans made it to Orkney, so each Roman find is an important indicator of trade and contact. The Picts left behind large carved stones, the ‘Peedie Pict’ engraved gaming piece, beads, painted pebbles and elaborate combs. From the eighth century we have the Norse arrivals, and with them some elaborate boat burials, including the one at Scar where the iconic ‘Scar Plaque’ linen smoother was discovered, among other high status grave goods. The Medieval period in Orkney is less well-known, and we have some artefacts that highlight not just the personal, like a gold finger ring and seal matrix, but that illustrate Orkneys political and religious importance following its annexing to Scotland in 1468.

British Bronze Age artefacts made from copper, bronze, gold, flint, jet and shale are renowned throughout Europe for their beauty and exquisite craftsmanship. In England and Wales, many new discoveries are made each year by members of the public and recorded with the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme. Recent nationally important finds include the gold lunula from Tarrant Valley (Dorset) and the gold and silver striped penannular ring from Havant (Hampshire). The metalwork hoard from Boughton Malherbe (Kent) is the third largest metalwork hoard ever discovered in Britain.Here, Dot Boughton investigates finds and hoards discovered over the last twenty years and uses them to discuss the development of the different Bronze Age weapon, tool, vessel and ornament types from their humble origins to their individual peaks in the Early, Middle and Late Bronze Age.

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.

Since 1997 the Portable Antiquities Scheme has recorded almost 1.5 million objects found in England and Wales, the vast majority discovered by members of the public rather than professional archaeologists. Among these finds are more than 10,000 early medieval coins. Each one of these coins has its own story to tell, from its minting, use and loss through to its eventual recovery and recording.In this book, Dr John Naylor, the PAS’s National Finds Adviser for Early Medieval and Later Coinage, explores the Anglo-Saxon world through these coin finds, tracing the development of coinage from the end of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and how they were used by early medieval people. As well as their use in trading, he shows how they can help us to understand how the Anglo-Saxons saw themselves through looking at coin design and iconography, and how they were used in diverse and interesting ways such as their inclusion in burials and hoards, and their re-use as items of jewellery.