Treasure. Finding our past, (cat. expo., British Museum, nov. 2003-mai 2004), 2003, 160 p.,110 ill. coul., 10 ill. n.b., br. -

Treasure is an evocative word conjuring up images of precious gold and jewels. Yet for archaeologists it is a very specific term used to describe certain types of objects which, for hundreds of years, were protected by the ancient law of Treasure Trove and, more recently, by the Treasure Act. This book looks at some key treasure finds of British history, all with a unique story to tell. They include spectacular new discoveries such as the Amesbury Archer and the Winchester gold jewellery, and older finds such as the Mildenhall treasure and coin hoards of the English Civil Wars. It also discusses the small, seemingly insignificant objects – jewellery and toys, for example – which tell us about the daily lives of our ancestors. Members of the public, from farmers to amateur metal detectorists, play a vital role in shaping our knowledge of the past. They range from responsible finders, such as the man who found the earliest stone axe ever recovered from mainland Britain, to those such as the 'nighthawks' who raided the Wanborough Roman temple. This book is a fascinating insight into the ongoing process of discovering our past.