Witness 20 years of treasure at The Oxfordshire Museum

A new exhibition celebrating the most amazing historical discoveries by local people is set to open at The Oxfordshire Museum.

The display, 20 Years of Treasure - The Portable Antiquities scheme in Oxfordshire, marks two decades since the Treasure Act was introduced to ensure significant archaeological finds were preserved for the nation. Featuring objects from ancient pottery and gold coins to Iron Age jewellery and Elizabethan rings, it demonstrates the huge influence of the 1996 Act on our understanding of Oxfordshire’s history.

All of the objects have been found by local people and metal detectorists across Oxfordshire. They include treasure finds and also items that have been recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme – set up at the same time as the Treasure Act - to record details of finds that did not class as treasure.

The exhibition opens on Saturday, 23 September at The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock.

Enriched collection

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “Our knowledge of Oxfordshire’s past has been greatly enhanced and the Museums Service collections enriched by the many objects found by local people and metal detectorists over the last 20 years.

“We now have an extraordinary resource for exploring our past and this exhibition is a great opportunity for visitors to come and see some of the very best of this. This is a real treat for anyone with an interest in local history – and perhaps something to inspire those who have never previously visited the Oxfordshire Museum.”

13th century seal of Wymond de Brandon, found by a metal detectorist in 2012.

Recent addition and guest lecture

Among the exhibits is a remarkable recent find by metal detectorist Tim Moody from Charney Bassett. Mr Moody unearthed a rare late-Roman set of ‘dividers’ – a technical drawing instrument similar to a pair of compasses – creating excitement in local academic circles.

20 Years of Treasure – The Portable Antiquities Scheme in Oxfordshire will be opened at 11.30am on Saturday, 23 September by Michael Lewis, Head of the Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure at the British Museum. The opening will be preceded by a FREE lecture from Mr Lewis at 10.30am. Book your seat online at Eventbrite or call the Museum on 01993 814106.

Photos:

Main image: Late 16th century gold pendant applique, found by a metal detectorist in 2003.

Inset: 13th century seal of Wymond de Brandon, found by a metal detectorist in 2012.