By North Lincolnshire Museum records millionth national item
The millionth item recorded on a national register has reportedly been declared by North Lincolnshire Museum.
That means that one million buried treasures have been found across the nation since records began.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme ‘records archaeological finds often discovered by metal detectorists’, North Lincolnshire Council said.
The scheme is run by The British Museum and its local partners.
Some of the finds include treasures like Roman coins and priceless jewellery.
Parts of a pure gold Bronze Age bangle were even once discovered near Brigg and registered with the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Found treasure must always be reported to a local coroner within 14 days of realising its worth or individuals could face three months in prison alongside an unlimited fine.
However, if they hand the treasure over, they may be eligible for a reward alongside the landowner.
48,045 archaeological items and 1,000 treasure finds were discovered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the year 2020 alone.
The millionth national item, recorded by North Lincolnshire Museum, was revealed to be a copper-alloy medieval harness pendant which was found at Binbook near Market Rasen.
The pendant was designed to be attached to a horse’s harness and would have had a device on it displaying who owned the horse or employed the rider, North Lincolnshire Council reported.
Arts Minister, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, told the council: “Human beings have been fascinated by treasure from previous generations for centuries and these new statistics show the search for, and engagement with it, still captivates us today.
“I’m delighted that one million records of archaeological finds made by the public have now been logged.
“It shows the important role we all can play in protecting and cherishing our heritage.”
These new finds can help archaeologists understand when, where and how people lived centuries ago.
(Images: North Lincolnshire Council)
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