50 Early Medieval Finds: From the Portable Antiquities Scheme

A fascinating selection of Early Medieval objects registered as part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

From the fall of the Roman Empire to the battle of Hastings, the early-mediaeval period is one of our most engaging historical eras. It covers the formation of the kingdoms and countries of Britain, the establishment of Christianity, Viking invaders and semi-mythical monarchs. Sometimes mischaracterized as the ’Dark Ages’, it was actually a time of tremendous advances in art, technology and trade.

The fifty objects in this book are some of the most important and interesting archaeological finds illuminating this span of history. They include weaponry, horse fittings, hacksilver hoards and jewellery featuring the sinuous knotwork of the period’s animal art, from the humblest of pins and brooches to the gold and garnet wonders of the Staffordshire Hoard. Each was found by a member of the public and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which has recorded over 1.5 million items in England and Wales.

Through these objects and their stories, we can understand this fascinating and perhaps most misunderstood period of history.

Jo Ahmet has worked in archaeology across the south-east of England, initially in commercial archaeology. He returned to academia to pursue his interest in archaeological objects. Now working as Kent’s Find Liaison Officer he has the privilege of working with and studying some of the most unique objects in the country.

Simon Maslin is the Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) in Surrey. He has previously worked as FLO in Hampshire and as an archaeologist for the University of Reading where he undertook his PhD on the Anglo Saxon palace at Lyminge, Kent. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.