Hertfordshire: Rise in metal detecting leads to rise in treasure finds
Annual coroner statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that 28 treasure discoveries were reported in Hertfordshire in 2023 – up from just two the year before.
The number of treasure discoveries in England and Wales has reached a record high, with the East of England recording more discoveries than any other region.
A total of 284 discoveries were made in the region last year, up from 260 in 2022.
Across England and Wales there were 1,219 reports to coroners of discovered treasures last year, a 12 per cent increase on 2022 and the highest number since records began.
The Justice Department said the number of discoveries has increased steadily since the Treasury Act came into force in 1997, when only 54 discoveries were reported.
They added that the number has been “more volatile” in recent years, with a significant increase in metal detecting activity during and after the pandemic.
Given the growing interest in the discovery, the Detectorist Institute and Foundation warned that valuations of treasure discoveries by the Treasure Valuation Committee could be reduced if the item is not responsibly recovered or excavated, which could result in damage to the archaeological record.
Its founder Keith Westcott said: “There is so much to be learned from treasure discoveries if handled correctly. In some cases, organic material such as leather can remain in place, giving archaeologists invaluable insight into the way we lived in the past.”
The Justice Department noted that the number of discoveries varies across the country, most likely due to geographic and historical differences.
The definition of treasure was updated in July last year. Previously, newly discovered artifacts were classified as treasures if they were more than 300 years old, were made of precious metal, or were part of a collection of valuable items or artifacts.
SUGGESTED READING
Under the new criteria, most exceptional finds over 200 years old will be classified as treasures if they provide an important insight into the country’s heritage.
Mr Westcott added: “By bringing in the condition it is hoped that future finds such as the Crosby-Garret Helmet, a Roman calvary helmet dating from the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, will be saved from being sold at auction can.”
The helmet was found nearby in May 2010 by an unnamed metal detectorist, leading to the discovery that there had been a Romano-British farming settlement at the site. According to the old definition, it was not considered treasure.
