Fewer treasure discoveries in East Sussex last year

Part of a Roman coin hoard found in Snodland in north Kent is looked at closely by a British Museum worker; the coin hoard, discovered by a digger driver, is made up of over 3,600 coins and is part of the British Museum's annual report of treasure finds at the British Museum in London.

Detectorists in East Sussex came up short handed last year with less treasure discoveries recorded, new figures show

The Institute of Detectorists said many people picked up the hobby during the pandemic, likely leading to the surge in treasure finds in England and Wales.

The Treasure Act, introduced in 1997, defines treasure as discoveries older than 300 years. It includes coins, prehistoric metallic objects and artefacts that are at least 10% precious metal such as gold or silver.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show 17 treasure finds were reported last year to East Sussex Coroner's Court, which is responsible for holding treasure inquests.

This is down from 20 treasure finds in 2021. Over the past decade, 80 treasure finds were reported in the area.

Keith Westcott, founder of the Institute of Detectorists, said: "It was definitely the lockdown periods that brought the idea and interest of metal detecting to a lot of people who were sat at home, all day indoors thinking of what would give them a reason to get outdoors."