Home to the first recorded town in Britain, Essex has a vast wealth of
history. However, historical accounts of the county have tended to focus
on the major settlements and have left large parts unexplored. Through
the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), alongside continuing
professional excavations, it has been possible to fill in those gaps.
Not only have there been many objects recorded with the PAS that are
individually significant, but recording these finds has allowed us to
identify many new archaeological sites that had previously been
unrecognised. From Bronze Age hoards to Medieval pilgrim badges, the PAS
records for Essex cover every period in history. The Burnham-on-Crouch
hoard provides insight into the burial of objects in the Late Bronze
Age, while the Ardleigh pommel highlights the incredible skill of
Anglo-Saxon goldsmiths. The work of the PAS also provides evidence of
how people continue to deposit objects today. Some of these finds have
improved our understanding of society in the past, while others can be
admired for their beauty alone. 50 Finds from Essex showcases a select
group of objects recorded with the PAS and explains their significance
within our wider understanding of the archaeology of Essex.