More treasure discovered in Britain than ever before

Do you ever dream about finding buried treasure or ancient coins? Well, it might not be as tricky as you think.

New figures show there was a record-breaking number of archeological finds and treasure discoveries in Britain in 2024.

And a large part of that was thanks to ordinary people with metal detectors!

The hobby has grown in popularity in recent years and the British Museum said treasures found by the public were a "vital contribution" in "preserving the nation's history".

If you fancy a go at metal detecting - you can find some handy tips here.

According to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, there were nearly 80,000 finds recorded in 2024.

One hoard of treasures included 179 coins! It's believed they were buried around the time of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which makes them nearly 1,000 years old.

These strange metal creatures are Roman vehicle fittings, and were found by a detectorist in Essex.

They are thought to be from AD43 to 200, and would have been attached to a carriage or wagon.

The British Museum said vehicle fittings of this type were rare in Britain.

Ian Richardson, the acting head of treasure at the museum, said the continued rise in the number of finds was a "testament to the dedication of finders across the country".

He added: "Their responsible reporting allows us to build a richer and more detailed picture of life in the past, while ensuring that important objects are preserved for public benefit."

Have you ever tried metal detecting? What treasure would you like to find?

Let us know in the comments...