Summary
In 2024, treasure finds in England reached a record high with 1,446 discoveries, which included notable items like a lamp shaped like a human foot and an earwax scoop. The British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme recorded these finds, with the most being discovered in eastern England. New regulations now classify items as treasure if they are 200 years old and of significant historical value, leading to more discoveries.
Key Facts
- England recorded 1,446 treasure finds in 2024, an increase from 1,266 in 2023.
- Noteworthy finds include a human foot-shaped Roman lamp and a Roman earwax scoop.
- Eastern England had the highest number of treasure finds, with 388 items discovered.
- New rules lowered the age requirement for defining treasure from 300 to 200 years.
- Finds must now also have historical, archaeological, or cultural significance.
- Wales and Northern Ireland recorded 85 and nine treasure finds, respectively.
- Norfolk, known as England's treasure capital, had 138 discoveries in 2024.
- Scotland follows different laws for treasure finds and was not included in these figures.
