Leicestershire's Treasure at Harborough Museum

The treasure was discovered in southeast Leicestershire in 2000 by local community archaeologists and University of Leicester Archaeological Services. The hoard includes more than 5,000 silver and gold coins, a unique silver gilt Roman helmet, jewellery and many other objects. Most of the items date to just before the Roman Conquest, about 2,000 years ago. The site of the treasure proved to be an internationally important ritual site dating mostly to the generations before and after the Roman Conquest of Britain in the 1st century AD.

The Roman Helmet is currently undergoing conservation and research at the British Museum. As this will take four years to complete, a webcam is planned, to transmit images of the conservation work back to Harborough.

An education consultant, is staging special sessions with teachers, to explore how schools can learn about the treasure display. They recently met with the Market Harborough Local History group of teachers, who meet in Harborough Museum every term.

The Iron Age and Roman Treasures were acquired by Leicestershire County Council last year, in the first stage of the project to make the finds available to the public.

For more information about the Southeast Leicestershire Treasure Project, please contact the Keeper of Harborough Museum, on 01858 821087 or email harboroughmuseum@leics.gov.uk