Anni Byard 
50 Finds from Berkshire 
Objects from the Portable Antiquities Scheme

Every year thousands of archaeological artefacts are discovered by the public, mostly through metal detecting but also while digging in the garden or while out walking the dog in the countryside. Since first coming to Berkshire in 2003, the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) has recorded nearly 10, 000 archaeological artefacts from the county, all of which have been found by the public.The Royal County of Berkshire has a long and rich archaeological heritage. Hoards of ancient gold coins or richly furnished Saxon burials may easily capture the imagination, but it is the more mundane, everyday objects that are often more informative and valuable to archaeologists trying to understand our past. Recording these objects enables us to build a picture of past land use and commerce across millennia, and ensures that when we have gone, the information these objects provide is not lost for future generations.From ancient flint tools and Roman brooches to Saxon gold and medieval vessels, voices from Berkshire’s deep past are being heard once again. Covering all periods of human history and every corner of the county, 50 Finds from Berkshire highlights some of the best archaeological artefacts found by ordinary members of the public and recorded with the Scheme.