Yorkshire treasure to be saved for museums under new laws

Changes to the law will mean it will be easier for locally significant finds such as the Ryedale Hoard, now at York Museum, to be saved for the public.

The move comes after the uptick in members of the public taking to the country’s fields and beaches in a bid to find buried treasure following the success of TV shows such as Detectorists.

The updates to the law will be put before Parliament on Monday before becoming law.

The Government said that the change will mean that more new discoveries go on public display and help deepen people’s understanding of the country’s history.

Under the current definition, newly discovered artefacts can only be legally classified as treasure if they are more than 300 years old and made of precious metal or part of a collection of valuable objects or artefacts.

The new criteria will apply to the most exceptional finds over 200 years old – regardless of the type of metal of which they are made – so long as they provide an important insight into the country’s heritage.

This includes rare objects, those which provide a special insight into a particular person or event, or those which can shed new light on important regional histories.

The move has been prompted after a number of recent discoveries fell outside the scope of the Act, including spectacular Roman finds such as the Ryedale Hoard, now at York Museum, and the Birrus Britannicus figurine on display at Chelmsford City Museum.

While these artefacts were acquired by museums, the Government said that this new definition will make it easier for them to do so in the future.

Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “There has been a huge surge in the number of detectorists – thanks in part to a range of TV programmes – and we want to ensure that new treasure discoveries are protected so everyone can enjoy them.

“Archaeological treasures offer a fascinating window into the history of our nation and the lives of our ancestors.

“We are changing the law so that more artefacts uncovered by archaeologists and members of the public can go on display in museums rather than ending up in private hands. This will make sure they can be studied, admired and enjoyed by future generations.”

Historian Dan Snow said: "The search for hidden treasure has captivated us for generations but it is so much more than gold and silver. From ancient rings and coins, to tudor drinking vessels, every discovery teaches us something new and helps us understand who we are and where we came from.

"Our shared history, and the artefacts that help us tell that story, are for everyone. That is why the treasure process is so important. These changes will have huge benefits for local communities across the country, ensuring more people can see more treasure in our museums."