Last year was quite a tumultuous one for all. Here’s hoping that 2021 will get better.

For this year I have a few things planned. 

Firstly is finds surgeries. These will be when possible 5 per month.

At West Berkshire Museum this will be the 1st and 3rd Wednesday and 1st Saturday of each month.

At the Maidenhead Heritage Centre this will be the 2nd Thursday of the month.

At the Berkshire Record Office this will be the 4th Thursday of the month.

For now here is the first find of 2021, a silver Roman Republican denarius of C. Censorinus Rome, 88 BC

The coin depicts the jugate (two portraits side by side to suggest, to the viewer, the closeness of each to the other) heads of Numa Pompilius and Ancius Marcus. They were the legendary 2nd and 4th Kings of Rome. Their closeness depicted on the coins likely symbolises not only their familial lineage but also their policy of pursuing peace over war, unlike the 3rd king Tullus Hostilius. In the year this coin was issued the First Roman Civil War began.

Until we are out of this new lockdown then all finds surgeries are on hold. However, due to the changing nature of tiers and lockdowns you can send finds digitally to record. For more info on this email me at philip.smither1@westberks.gov.uk

Secondly is more online talks. Since we can’t meet in big groups this is a great chance to do more online outreach. This year I’ll be giving a number of online talks about the PAS, local finds and metal detecting in general.

Lastly, I’ll be doing more on the blog and social media. The Berkshire FLO Twitter (@berkshireflo) and Instagram (@berkshire_flo) accounts have been growing. If you are interested in seeing more PAS finds and well as interesting archaeology and PAS news that is where it will be.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and let’s make 2021 a great year for the PAS in Berkshire.