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Treasure
– Finding Our Past
Based
on an 8-part
BBC television series, Hidden
Treasures broadcast in September 2003 looked at the
subject of Treasure Trove. Features key objects from a British Museum
exhibition. All items featured have been discovered by metal
detectorists, fieldwalkers and other members of the public.
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. Illustrated with over 100 images of some of the most
spectacular objects and their finders, Treasure
is a fascinating insight into the ongoing process of discovering our
past.
Press
Reviews
Antiques
Magazine - 'This
fascinating book will re-ignite your imagination…'
The
Good Book Guide -
'A fascinating
study.'
Public
Review
- Jovid
Mouqian - Fascinating
read. One can almost be transported back to Roman times, the smells the
sights, the acoustics of the buildings. Definitely recommended.
Price: £9.99 + £3.50
p&p U. K. (Ref: b0065)
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