There have been 12 treasure discoveries reported in County Durham this year
The number of treasure discoveries in England and Wales has reached a record high as more people turn to searching for metals.
Annual coroner statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that 13 treasure discoveries were reported in County Durham and Darlington in 2023 – compared to five the year before.
Across England and Wales there were 1,219 reports to coroners of discovered treasure last year, a 12% 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 finds by the Treasure Valuation Committee may be reduced if the item is not recovered or excavated responsibly, 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. Norfolk had the highest number of treasure finds with 95.
Across the Northeast, 32 finds were recorded last year, an increase from 14 the year before.
With the exception of the southeast, there was an increase in finds in all regions. The East of England recorded the most discoveries last year with 284.
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.
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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 said: “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, can be saved from being sold at auction .”
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.
