It’s Coming Home? – Fantastic Football Finds

What’s that vibrating through the airwaves? Listen closely enough and you’ll hear those familiar words… “it’s coming home.” To celebrate the beginning of the World Cup, we’ve brought together some suitably sporty objects.

While football has been played in England since the Medieval period, football as we know it emerged in the 19th century, following the formalisation of the rules in 1877. 

Brown leather shoe sole, with a clear heel and toe. Pierced with metal studs.

You can’t have football without a proper pair of boots. Occasionally, a truly historical pair of shoes are unearthed and recorded on the PAS database. Take a look at the remnants of this Roman military boot (BM-751115). The studs were likely a practical addition, since this shoe would have been used for heavy labor and marching. The first football boots may have looked a little like this shoe – early players used regular leather boots, occasionally nailed with leather studs to create traction on grass.

Our football footwear has come a long way. You only need to look at this famous example in the British Museum collection (EA95151). These boots were famously owned by footballer Mohamed Salah, also known as the ‘Egyptian King.’ As pictured here, the boots were displayed Egyptian sculpture galleries to represent a 21st century Egyptian icon.

Pair of blue and turquoise football boots in a glass case. In the background is a large stone statue of an Egyptian king in the galleries of the British Museum.
Football boots belonging to Mohamed Salah, on display in the Egyptian Sculpture Galleries. EA95151. Image courtesy of the British Museum. Copyright The Trustees of the British Museum, Creative Commons.

The following two football flavoured objects were featured in this great episode of the Portable Antiquities Scheme podcast, PAStCast, with FLOs Lucy Shipley (Devon) and Ben Westwood (Durham).

Please accept marketing-cookies to listen to this

Of course, we had to feature the only footballer on the database (NLM-0DED4D). This cast figurative badge depicts a sportsman. The angle of his body and position of his legs indicates that he is about to kick a football. He wears a blue and white vertically striped shirt, with horizontally striped socks. The remains of a pin on the back indicates that this object would have been worn, perhaps in support of a team. This little football player dates from between 1920-1960, pre-dating the now legendary England World Cup win in 1966. The PAS rarely records modern finds but on this occasion an exception was made for football!

Flat copper and green coloured metal pin, in the shape of a sportsperson. The sportsperson is running, and has their arms outstretched to counterbalance their leg, which aims to kick a ball. They wear a striped top and what look like football socks.
Lead alloy cast figurative badge depicting a sportsman, probably a footballer, pointing with his right arm, dating from between 1920-1960. Found in North Lincolnshire and documented by North Lincolnshire Museum. NLM-0DED4D. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

The classic ‘three lions’ coat of arms – now emblazoned on the chest of England players – is not exclusive to the beautiful game. Three lions appear on this heraldic harness pendant form the 14th century (HESH-5A8529).

Small shield with a perforation, likely intended to be hung or attached to a length of string or leather. The back is a green colour. The front is red and blue, with the outlines of three lions.
Cast copper alloy heraldic harness pendant, dating from between 1284-1387. Found in Shropshire and documented by Birmingham Museums Trust. HESH-5A8529. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

Harness pendants decorated the chest of a horse, to indicate royal allegiance. Richard the Lionheart (r. 1189-1199) was the first English monarch to use three golden lions on a scarlet background. This particular crest is a little different. Three lions on a blue background were the arms of Edward II (r. 1307-1327) and Edward III (r. 1327-1377) whilst they were heirs to the English throne. Lucy Shipley suggests that following the deposition of the controversial Edward II, wearing this pendant could have represented allegiance to the new King, Edward III. 

In honour of the fearsome Welsh dragon, we’ve dug up this fantastic enamelled dragonesque Roman brooch, found in Gwynedd in north-west Wales (GAT-B5F5EA).

Flat brooch in the shape of a dragon, with a curved snout, serpentine body and large ears or horn. Back shows the remains of some kind of gold coating. The front is decorated with blue and green enamel.
An enamel Roman brooch in the shape of a dragon, of a probable Roman date. Found in Gwynedd and documented by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. GAT-B5F5EA. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

The story of the Welsh red dragon begins with the Celtic King Vortigern. Legend tells that Vortigern planned to construct a castle on the hillock Dinas Emrys. However, the King was warned by a young Merlin that two dragons slept inside the hillock. When Vortigern began to construct his foundations, he uncovered a red and white dragon, who began to fight. The white dragon eventually fled, leaving the red dragon to return to his mountain abode. The red dragon was adopted by the Welsh kings in the 5th century, to symbolise their authority following the Roman withdrawal. 

Good luck to England and Wales this World Cup! The long history of football in the British Isles continues to be made. Perhaps this will be the year that (men’s) football really does come home.  

References

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/754902

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1030698

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/792228

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1018515

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/17/mo-salah-scores-boots-enter–british-museum-collection-liverpool-egypt

https://www.visitwales.com/info/history-heritage-and-traditions/dragon-spirit-legend-welsh-dragon

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/craflwyn-and-beddgelert/features/a-tale-of-two-dragons

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jul/18/theknowledge.sport

Unlocking the Database – A Brief Look at Keys

Hello again readers of the PAS blog. In preparation for the blog post this month, I began my usual trawl through the database. A certain class of objects struck me immediately. Keys are something we all have rattling around – they hang off lanyards and on novelty keychains, in jumbles of bronze and silver. The banality of the key disguises its significance and longevity. 

The fact is, keys have been carried for centuries. Then as now, keys would have been turned and jammed, fumbled with in the dark after a night at the pub, dropped and lost. The rattle of keys is a lived experience which traverses time. 

The following examples from Roman and Medieval Britain illustrate the diversity of key design. While the doors may be long gone, the keys survive.

Illustration of a person with large red wings, wearing a crown, pokes a man with a large gold key in the heart. The winged person wears a blue robe, and holds one hand below their chin. The man wears red tights, and a blue and pink tunic. The scene is set on an intricate background of diamond fleur-de-lis tiles.
Keys unlock more than just doors, this framed miniature shows the God of Love locking the Lover’s heart with a large gold key. Guillaume de Lorris, continued by Jean de Meun, Roman de la Rose, published in France c.1380. Image courtesy of the British Library, Creative Commons.

The Romans are attributed with inventing the metal key and lock mechanism. While wooden locks and keys were used in the ancient Near East, these could deteriorate over time and be easily forced open. The Romans created ‘warded’ locks. A series of projections (wards) inside the lock corresponded to a key with matching slots. Any other key would not turn inside a warded lock. 

These examples from Wiltshire (WILT-C592D7) and Lincolnshire (LIN-CA7623) are Roman ‘finger keys.’ These key-rings usually unlocked small chests containing personal or valuable possessions. Keys could also be status objects, with highly decorated handles and shafts. 

Photograph of a small gold coloured finger ring, with a projecting tooth. When worn, the tooth would lie flat against the finger. When removed, this ring could be used as a key.
A fashionable and functional copper alloy ‘finger-key’ for a warded lock (AD 200-410). Found in Wiltshire by a metal-detectorist and documented by the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. WILT-C592D7. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.
Photograph of a small copper coloured finger ring, with a projecting tooth. When worn, the tooth would lie flat against the finger. When removed, this ring could be used as a key.
Key to keeping your possessions safe, this cast copper alloy ‘finger-key’ would have been worn (AD 250-300). Found in Lincolnshire by a metal-detectorist and documented by the Lincolnshire County Council. LIN-CA7623. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

Keys could also be status objects, with highly decorated handles and shafts. This zoomorphic key handle from Nottinghamshire is a fierce example (SWYOR-F1D5D6). The elaborate decoration is both an opulent accessory and subtle warning, intruders keep away from those claws!

Photograph of a handle detached from the key. Dark green in colour. Depicts a lion with its front paws outstretched, grabbing the disembodied head of a ram. The lions back paws are curled underneath its body, and attached to a square base.
Flashy keys like this cast copper alloy example indicates status (AD 43-400). The key handle depicts a lion attacking a ram. Found in Nottinghamshire and documented by the West Yorkshire Archaeology Service. SWYOR-F1D5D6. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

In Medieval Britain, keys were a common technology. Door locks and keys were affordable, due to the quality of iron used to produce them. In 1422, a guild of “lockyers” is listed as active in London. If you look closely at this 1451 illumination of a locksmith, you can spot a range of toothed keys, much like the following iron example found in London (PUBLIC-55E9E8).

Illustration of a man sitting at a low work table. Behind him is a kiln, with metal tongs in the entrance. In his right hand he holds a hammer, as his left holds a black square, potentially a metal sheet. Keys and metal tools litter the table. The man wears a long rust coloured tunic and brown boots. He has a grey beard and curled hair.
A German locksmith hammering out keys. Hans Schelhamer, Amb. 317.2 Folio 72 verso (Mendel I), published in Germany in 1451. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
Photograph of a brown/grey key, with a long shaft and large square toothed projection. The handle is a length of iron, bent into a flat heart shape.
Medieval iron key circa AD 1200-1300. Found in London and documented by the Portable Antiquities Scheme. PUBLIC-55E9E8. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

Keys also acquired a symbolic significance in this period. This illumination of Jesus handing a key to Peter could represent the path to heavenly salvation. This key found in Warwickshire features similar religious connotations, with an incised and openwork cross incorporated into the design (WAW-E49DD4).

Illustration of two men, against the background of a large blue 'S' within a gold square. The man on the left receives a large white key. He holds it with both hands. He wears a blue tunic with a pink wrap. He has a grey beard and grey hair, balding on the top. He has a blue halo. The man on the right holds the key with one hand, the other holding his green wrap over a red tunic. He has long blonde hair. He has a pink halo with two white lines at the top, right and left.
Jesus giving Peter the “keys to the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 16:19) in the margin of sheet music. Gerwich, W.754 Two leaves from an Antiphonary fol. W.754Br, published in 1310. Image courtesy of Digitised Walters Manuscripts, Creative Commons.
Photograph of a dark green/brown key. It has a large projecting square tooth, with a cross incised into the centre. The handle is decorated with a round projection. A cross is contained within the circle to create four quadrants. The round projection is topped with a small knob.
Medieval copper alloy key circa AD 1150-1450 featuring two crosses. Could this have opened a church door? Found in Warwickshire and documented by the Birmingham Museums Trust. WAW-E49DD4. Medieval iron key circa AD 1200-1300. Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, License: CC-BY-SA.

You can find more keys, of all shapes and sizes, on the PAS database. It’s essential that finds are reported to your local FLO. By adding your finds to the PAS database and making them accessible to all, you are contributing to the rich story of British history.

References

https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/record.asp?MSID=7802&CollID=27&NStart=42133&_ga=2.23268666.1609753948.1653488868-31936432.1653488868

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mendel_I_072_v.jpg

https://www.thedigitalwalters.org/Data/WaltersManuscripts/W754/data/W.754/master/W754_000003_619.tif

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/458950

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/480556

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/105599

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/562985

https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/864228

https://medievallondon.ace.fordham.edu/exhibits/show/medieval-london-objects-3/key

https://www.britannica.com/technology/key-lock-device

https://www.britannica.com/technology/lock-security

https://ericaweiner.com/history-lessons/rings-with-hidden-keys

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/locks-and-keys-0015361

Hello PAS!

Hello readers of the PAS blog! My name is Emma and I’m a volunteer with the Portable Antiquities Scheme. I’m here to explore the database and bring you the best finds from around England and Wales.

I’m currently studying a Master of Arts at University College London in Museum Studies. I’m interested in learning how museums and collections work from the inside out. I completed my Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne in 2019, with a double major in Art History and Ancient World Studies.

As part of my degree, I volunteered on several urban digs around Melbourne. One of my favourite finds was an egg-shaped glass mineral water bottle from the 19th century. While the finds in urban Australia are very different to those in England and Wales, I know the thrill of unearthing objects, unseen and untouched for hundreds or even thousands of years. I also love to walk, and am always keen to explore the Britain’s wild and historic landscapes.

Image of woman with a pink backpack and man in the distance, both walking through a field along a stone path. Purple flowers cover most of the field. A small peak of large rocks lies ahead.
Hiking through the Peak District in the county of Derbyshire.

My role at the PAS will be to reinvigorate social media and outreach. I’m hoping to bring some fun new content to the blog and social media platforms, to highlight the great work the PAS, FLOs, and volunteers do across the country. I’ll be discussing topics from keys to queens, sea-serpents to football. Please keep an eye out on our main blog, county pages, Twitter, and Instagram! 

While living in the UK, I’ve loved visiting heritage sites around the country. Here I am visiting the fantastic Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.

PASt Explorers Conference 2019

A selection of finds recorded by PASt Explorers volunteers.

This year is the final year of the PASt Explorers project. Generously supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the PASt Explorers project has, for the last 5 years, championed finds recording in the local community. By providing opportunity, training and support, we have involved hundreds of volunteers in communities across England and Wales in the archaeology of their local area, recording finds and sharing the knowledge to help shape our understanding of the past.

Join us to celebrate the work of the PASt Explorers project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with a series of talks looking at what the project has achieved, how this work is being used to inform our knowledge of the past, and the vast potential for future projects.

The conference will be followed by a drinks reception with stand-up comedy from Paul Duncan McGarrity, the man behind the brilliant Ask An Archaeologist podcast series.

The conference is taking place at The British Museum on Friday 21st June 2019. It is free to attend but booking is essential. To book a place please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/past-explorers-conference-2019-tickets-60524063102 or call 0207 323 8293. The conference is fully catered and PAS volunteers may claim their travel expenses back, subject to our expenses policy (please contact us for details).

We look forward to seeing you in June!

Logo of The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Half Term Heraldry

This half term, we took some inspiration from the many heraldic harness pendants recorded on the database and invited the children of Dorset to make their own coat of arms.

A selection of harness pendants recorded on the PAS Database.
From left to right: GLO-D4734B, WREX-6511C4, WILT-C890F3, WMID-28A0B3, KENT-B2C417 and YORYM-2DD34E. (Image: Portable Antiquities Scheme, Licence CC-BY 2.0)

People have always found various ways of identifying and distinguishing themselves from others. They often use symbols and other devices to represent themselves. In the medieval period, these developed into a formal system which became known as heraldry. Only one person could use each combination of colours and symbols, so it was easy to identify them at a tournament or on the battlefield.

Heraldry is a great subject to build a craft activity around because it is colourful, it is creative and it has a rich vocabulary to explore. It is also surprisingly complicated! So the first challenge was to work out what was feasible to include in a drop-in activity session.

Image showing a table with coloured paper shields for a craft activity.
Heraldry activity set up and ready to go at Priest’s House Museum in Wimborne Minster, Dorset. (Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, Licence: CC-BY 2.0).

We decided to focus on tinctures (colours), divisions, and basic charges (symbols), leaving the likes of ordinaries, furs, attitudes, supports and crests for another day!

We provided ready-made shields in six heraldic colours: Gules (red), Vert (green), Azure (blue), Purpure (purple), Sable (black), and Or (gold/yellow). These could then be supplemented with a pre-cut division and then finished off with one or more charges. We provided a selection of ready-made charges for colouring-in but there was also the option to design your own charge. An information sheet with instructions, further information and handy hints was also provided and Dorset Finds Liaison Officer Ciorstaidh also brought along her excellent Ladybird Book of Heraldry!

Three steps to making your own coat of arms: pick a background and a division (if desired); pick a charge; create your design! (Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, Licence: CC-BY 2.0)

Armed with glue and colouring pencils, the kids (and some of the adults too) let their imaginations go wild. We had shields with everything from unicorns and dragons, to dinosaurs and even a chicken nugget!

A selection of the wonderful creations from the sessions in Priest’s House Museum (Wimborne Minster) and Sherborne Museum. (Copyright: Portable Antiquities Scheme, Licence: CC-BY 2.0)

As mentioned above, this activity was simplified for use in a drop-in session. For a longer session or even an extended project, more detail and discussion could be added. For example, as well as divisions, you could introduce the concept of ordinaries to vary the background field. You could also add more examples of charges and talk about the different attitudes (poses) of the creatures. For older children and adult groups, there are also discussions to be had around the concepts of identity and how we choose to represent ourselves.

With thanks to our Dorset Finds Liaison Officer Ciorstaidh and her PASt Explorers volunteers for facilitating the activities, and to our hosts at Priest’s House Museum and Sherborne Museum.

Spooky Stashes

It’s Halloween so it’s time to delve into the Database to see what spooky finds dwell within. This year we thought we’d focus on ‘spooky stashes’. These are items that have been deliberately hidden away, often to ward off evil forces. This practice was prevalent in the 16th and 17th centuries, with items typically being incorporated into the structure of houses – usually in a floor or wall. Here are 5 examples of concealed caches from the PAS database (click on the links to see the full database record):

HESH-549817

This odd collection of items was found hidden in the floor socket of a partition wall of a house in Shropshire. The shape of the clay pipe bowl dates the assemblage to the 17th century.

BM-A5C5A1

This sun dial, dated to 1652, was found buried in the rammed earth floor of a thatched house in Suffolk.

DEV-867707

This shoe and assorted items, including pebbles and clay pipe stems, was found concealed in the cob-wall above a doorway in a house in Topsham, Devon. The practice of concealing shoes within the structure of a house was widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries when it was believed they could ward off evil spirits and bad luck.

LANCUM-76D192

In the case of this shoe, found within the wall of a 17th century Lancashire house, the concealment probably relates to a Lancashire folk tradition where a child’s shoe was hidden to prevent the child being swapped for a fairy child.

NARC-151A67

Fabric mask found hidden in a wall.

Perhaps the strangest item on the database, this velvet ‘visard’ mask was found concealed within the wall of a 16th century stone building in Northamptonshire. It is thought that the original use was either to shield a gentlewoman’s face from the sun at a time when a tan was highly unfashionable in high society, or to ward off would-be attackers should a lady be out and about alone. The mask’s concealment in a wall is more unusual – whilst the practice of hiding things was quite commonplace, this is the only known example of a mask being used in this way. In hiding it away, the original owner has ensured its preservation as these masks rarely survive otherwise.

Rutland County Pages launched!

We’re pleased to announce the launch of our Rutland County Pages. Rutland is our smallest county but it is packed with archaeology, from the Upper Palaeolithic hyena den to coin hoards from the civil war. Learn more about visiting Rutland’s heritage sites or explore archaeological finds from Rutland reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Wendy Scott is the Finds Liaison Officer for Rutland. She is supported by a fantastic team of volunteers and student placements who photograph and record finds, carry out research and much more. Read more about the team here.

Watch this space for more blog posts about volunteering, finds, events and more from Rutland.

Early medieval silver strap-end with animal decoration
Early medieval silver strap-end with animal decoration

Devilish Discoveries and Frightening Finds

In the spirit of Halloween (pun intended), we’ve delved into the database for some of our more ‘spooky’ finds. From superstitious shoes to ghoulish jewellery, we’ve pulled together six of our best supernatural-themed items for your eerie enjoyment. Read on… if you dare!

 

PIPE TAMPER (DENO-OC6CC4)

 

Tampers like this one have a flat end for tamping down tobacco in the bowl of the pipe. It could also be used for crushing the ash to make relighting easier. This little devil has a fearsome pair of horns and is holding his leg across the knee in the style of the Lincoln Imp.

 

WITCH BOTTLE (LIN-49FC12)

 

Post-medieval witch bottle with contents

Witch bottles were prevalent across England from the 17th century, especially in East Anglia where superstition and belief in witches was strong. These bottles were supposed to protect against evil spirits and spells directed at the supposed victim. The bottles contained items like hair, nail clippings, pins, needles and sometimes even the urine of the intended victim. It was then often buried in a fireplace, under the floor or plastered into the wall, its power remaining active for as long as it remained hidden. Early witch bottles were of the Bellarmine jug type whereas later examples like this were glass.

CHILD’S SHOE (LANCUM-76D192)

 

Post-medieval child's clog

This child’s clog was discovered hidden within the fabric of a wall. Much like the witch bottles, the practice of placing a shoe within the structure of a house was once widespread, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is thought they were either to ward off evil spirits or to deflect curses. Given the fact that this one is a child’s shoe, it most likely relates to a Lancashire tradition of hiding the shoes to prevent the child being swapped for a fairy child.

 

MEMENTO MORI (DENO-D3E954 and LIN-5AF0C0)

 

Gold ring with skull image

Seal matrix depicting a skeleton

These objects, with their skeletal imagery, are both examples of memento mori. In Christian tradition, these were used to emphasise the emptiness and fleetingness of earthly pleasures, and as reminder to focus one’s thoughts on the prospect of the afterlife. Small, portable items such as these two examples were often carried by individuals as a reminder of their own mortality. With its skeleton and hourglass symbol, the seal matrix really emphasises the message of death and passing time.

 

FOSSILISED OYSTER SHELL (SWYOR-96E960)

 

Fossilised oyster shell

The common name for these extinct oysters is “Devil’s toenails”. This wonderfully graphic name is due to their gnarled, curved shape and people once believed they were made as the Devil clipped his toenails. There used to be a common belief that carrying one of these fossils could prevent rheumatism so they often crop up in archaeological contexts.

Launch of the Essex County Pages

Following the launch of the Cheshire County Pages last month we have another new County Pages site, this time from the East of England. The Essex County Pages have gone live today with a series of webpages about upcoming events, ways to get involved in archaeology and Portable Antiquities Schemes finds from the county.

Our Essex Finds Liaison Officer (FLO), Ben Paites, is currently advertising for a new Volunteer Finds Recorder to assist him at the at the Museum Resource Centre in Colchester with Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service. For more information, please see the role description on the Colchester & Ipswich Museums volunteering webpage here. The deadline for expressions of interest in 9am on Monday 11th April 2016. The new volunteer will learn to identify and record archaeological material found and reported by members of the public, and will have the chance to contribute posts on their research and experience of volunteering to the Essex County Pages. Ben and one of his former volunteers, Katie Bishop, contributed a series of blog posts themed ‘Festive Finds’ to the main County Pages news feed in December 2015.

Enjoy exploring the objects and coins discovered in Essex and recorded by Ben and his volunteer team and keep an eye out for new blog posts on the new Essex County Pages in the coming weeks!

Early Medieval gold ring
2012 T89 – Early Medieval gold ring. Copyright: Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service. License: CC-BY

Launch of the Cheshire County Pages

The second set of County Pages launches today with a new site dedicated to the archaeological finds and historical environment of Cheshire. Here you can find out more about forthcoming finds surgeries in the county and other events as they come up, search for artefacts and coins found in Cheshire and recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme’s database and explore the county’s museums and archaeological societies. There are also blog posts featuring notable finds and general research as well as background information about the work of the county’s Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) and volunteers.

Huxley Hoard lead and bracelets
The Huxley Hoard was found in Cheshire in 2004 (LVPL-c63F8A)
Copyright: National Museums Liverpool License: CC-BY

Vanessa Oakden is the FLO for Cheshire, as well as Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and is based at the Museum of Liverpool. In one of her blog posts, she describes a typical finds surgery meeting members of the public reporting archaeological finds to record and, in another post, she selects some of her favourite finds from her home country of Ireland found in North West England. Vanessa recently wrote a book published by Amberley Publishing called ’50 Finds from Cheshire’ looking at finds from Cheshire recorded by the Scheme. In one of the blog posts on the new County Pages, this book is reviewed by Samantha Rowe, a PhD candidate at the University of Huddersfield. One of Vanessa’s volunteers, Carl Savage, has also contributed a post on medieval coin finds from Cheshire and his voluntary role identifying medieval and post medieval coins.

The County Pages have been developed as part of the Portable Antiquities Scheme’s Heritage Lottery Fund PASt Explorers project and was first launched in June 2015 with the pilot site of Leicestershire. PASt Explorers is recruiting and training local volunteer teams to work with the Scheme’s Finds Liaison Officers to record archaeological finds made by members of the public and share information about their county’s heritage with local communities.

Other County Pages sites are in development and will be rolled out gradually over the coming year. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy finding out more about the rich history that Cheshire has to offer and more about the fantastic work of Vanessa and her volunteers in recording and sharing new discoveries from the county.