Bronze Age hoards, Viking swords and more amazing UK treasure finds

A metal detectorist has called finding two Bronze Age hoards in the Scottish borders within two years "quite extraordinary".

Mariusz Stepien found his latest treasure haul in 2022 just seven miles from where he discovered the Bronze Age Peebles Hoard in 2020.

His latest discovery has been called the Blyth Hoard, containing the artefacts from the Late Bronze Age between 1150BC to 850BC, an incredible 3,000 years ago.

It contains two bronze axe-heads and a complete copper ingot, which is a solid metal bar.

Metal detecting, using a special electronic device to find metal objects on the surface, underground or underwater, has become more popular in recent years and has led to more treasure finds.

Figures from 2024 show a record-breaking number of archeological and treasures found in Britain, with many of these due to ordinary people using metal detectors.

In the UK, under the Treasure Act 1996, finders of potential treasure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must report their discovery so that tests can be done to see if it really is treasure.

If the find is classed as treasure, then the finder must offer it for sale to a museum.

Read on for more extraordinary metal detecting finds.

Fourteen-year-old Lucas said he was "overwhelmed and proud" when he found a 575-year-old sword pommel in a field in North Yorkshire with a metal detector.

The sword pommel, which is the metal knob at the end of a sword handle, is extremely rare and dates from between AD1350 and 1450.

It was discovered around a foot (or 30cm) underground, and has detailed engravings and 26 sides.

Lucas and his dad Dave, who was with him when it was unearthed, hope the pommel will be displayed in a museum.

A metal detectorist in England had a surprise when he washed what he thought was a toy he found in a field, and discovered it was an ancient brooch.

Martin from Dorset found the object in a field near Dorchester, and thought it was a child's toy.

But when he washed it and saw the green colouring and intricate design, he realised it was a piece of jewellery.

Local experts later confirmed it was a rare 2,000 year-old brooch.

Brodie was just ten years old, and metal detecting for the first time, when he found a 700-year-old relic.

The metal detecting enthusiast had discovered an ancient seal, which would have probably been used to stamp wax onto important documents.

As it wasn't classed as treasure, Brodie was able to take the seal home!