Why Norfolk is 'treasure capital' and where more could be found

More finds were discovered in the county than anywhere else in 2022, with 98 items confirmed as treasure by the coroner's office. 

And it is not the first time Norfolk has held this title, having topped the list almost every year since 1997.

But why is there such an abundance of artefacts found in the county?

Awaiting cleaning, the seventh-century Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pendant discovered in South Norfolk (Image: Archant)

What is defined as 'treasure'?

Under the Treasure Act 1996, treasure is owned by the Crown when found and a person who finds an object they believe to be treasure must notify the relevant authorities within 14 days.

The definition of treasure has been expanded recently, which has increased the number of finds that can be categorised as such.

To be classified as treasure, it must be an object of historical importance at least 200 years old and made of metal, according to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

It is hoped these changes will mean more museums can acquire important historical discoveries made in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The Sedgeford Hoard - 32 gold Iron-Age coins found inside a cow bone at Sedgeford in Norfolk (Image: Norfolk Museums Service)

What has been found?

One of the earliest known settlements in northern Europe has been discovered at Happisburgh Beach, which revealed that ancient humans lived in Britain 800,000 years ago.

When it comes to treasure, you have to wait until about 3300 BC to the early Bronze Age, when there is an explosion in material culture made of metal.

READ MORE: The treasures found buried beneath Norfolk fields

In Norfolk, a number of Bronze Age hoards have been found, particularly in west Norfolk and the Wash area.

More recently, 40 axes and axe fragments were found at Great Melton, near Norwich by metal detectorist Trevor Radley in August, 2019, which were confirmed as treasure in March 2023. 

Why Norfolk is England's treasure capital

Archaeology expert Andy Hutchenson, who is a research fellow at the UEA, said: "Norfolk was once a very populous part of western Europe prior to the Roman invasion.

"It was a very important area and developed lots of wealth from agriculture from the early to middle Bronze Age.

"By the medieval period, this came to be reflected in the number of churches built.

"With lots of people, wealth and churches, it is inevitable for there to be lots of treasure here."

The importance of agriculture continues to this day, with East Anglia known as the 'UK's bread basket'. 

According to Mr Hutchenson, this means budding metal detectorists are drawn to the rural farmland of Norfolk, who often scour recently harvested fields looking for treasure.

With more metal detectorists trying their luck in the county, it means there are inevitably going to be more finds than elsewhere.

READ MORE: Why detectorists have made Norfolk treasure capital of the country

The Detectorists has helped bring the hobby of metal detecting into the spotlight (Image: free)

Is there more waiting to be discovered?

Since 1997, when the annual Treasure Act report began, there have been 1,946 finds in Norfolk.

And for UEA archaeology expert Andy Hutchenson, there could be a lot more to discover as the region's geology continues to change.

He said: "I suspect there is still lots of treasure to be found and more discoveries are being made in places like river banks where the geology has changed meaning new deposits have become uncovered.

"In coastal areas, the impact of erosion is likely to uncover more treasure.

"While it is tragic for the people who live in these areas that are losing their homes, it could lead to some significant archaeological discoveries to be made."