Archaeology and Its Insights

Archaeology is understanding people in the past from what they have left behind. Objects inform us about how people lived, what they made and the things they did.

There has often been a view that there are no archaeological finds in the North West. However, through the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the display of existing museum collections, this traditional view is being challenged. By looking at objects discovered in Lancashire, recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, we can demonstrate the continuity of activity within this county.

Longevity of Lancashire’s Past

Lancashire has revealed the longevity of its past through a range of both functional and decorative objects. Objects were made and traded from the Copper Age, through the Bronze Age and into the Iron Age and Roman periods; the Silverdale Viking Hoard, similar in object types and period to the Cuerdale Hoard, further demonstrates significant Early Medieval activity.

Meanwhile, Post-Medieval artefacts reveal long journeys of religious pilgrimage and persecution. 50 Finds from Lancashire allows us to look at the continuity of our past using archaeological finds to illustrate what has previously been hidden away.