Broadcaster Michael Buerk and historian Bettany Hughes present a series of programmes counting down the 50 greatest treasures discovered by the British public. The order has been compiled by a panel of experts from the British Museum and the Council for British Archaeology. In the first programme, journalist John McCarthy discovers the story behind a Roman slave shackle found in Winchester, military historian Saul David discovers how dangerous an 18th-century toy cannon from Somerset could have been and Bettany meets the five-year-old boy who found a gold reliquary valued at 70,000 pounds.
Michael Buerk and historian Bettany Hughes presents a series of programmes counting down the 50 greatest treasures discovered by the British public. In this episode, Michael Portillo discovers that a cufflink from Rochester was one of the first-ever royal souvenirs, a 2000-year-old comb is put through its paces by hairdresser Nicky Clarke, Claire Barratt investigates the curious case of a medieval prosthetic nose, and there is a look at a token for a Roman brothel on the shores of the Thames.
Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes continue the countdown of the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public. Bettany goes diving for Roman treasure, Michael Portillo investigates a two-headed 2000-year-old coin revealing a political coalition, John McCarthy tells the story of a jewel-encrusted cross, a jar full of gold coins found on a Hackney council estate reveals a story about the Nazis, and John Sergeant checks out a hoard of French coins which could be forgeries.
The countdown of the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public continues from 26 to 19 and includes a tale of murder and mystery behind a discovery of pilgrim badges in a river in Canterbury. Dave Crisp reveals how it feels to dig up 52,000 Roman coins, Brian Blessed unearths the story of a Roman bust found by a farmer in Oxfordshire, Gethin Jones is amazed by a Roman drinking cup with a leopard handle, and there is a look at a Viking curiosity revealing ancient runes. Presented by Michel Buerk and Bettany Hughes.
The countdown of the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public continues from 18 to 11. Jon Culshaw goes on the trail of some Viking treasure which gives a clue to the origins of the north/south divide, Dan Lobb reveals how a Bronze Age stash proves that the import and export business was thriving 3,500 years ago and, in Nottinghamshire, Anita Rani tells the story of a medieval chess piece - a 12th century metal knight. Presented by Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes.
The final programme in the series counting down the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public. Bill Roach goes on a spiritual journey to Kent to investigate a gold cup that is 3,500 years old. Michael Portillo investigates the discovery of a tiny silver badge in the shape of a boar, and Britain's number one secret treasure is revealed.
Actor James Purefoy tells the tale of an ancient sword at the heart of Northumberland's history, and broadcaster and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota uncovers the story of a discovery in Lincolnshire that on first glance appeared to be bomb fragments - but was later suspected to be the remains of a statue of Roman emperor Domitian and his horse.
Comedian Vic Reeves investigates the mystery of an ancient bronze helmet unearthed near his home in Kent, while former Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson tries to reunite a First World War victory medal with its rightful owners. Historian Tom Holland tells the story of eight Roman copper coins discovered by a treasure hunter in fields close to Hadrian's Wall.
Astrologer Russell Grant tells the story of a bronze Capricorn figurine unearthed by a Somerset couple in 2011, which provides an insight into the vital role of star signs in the life of Roman emperor Augustus. Bettany Hughes hears the tragic tale of an 18th-century ring found by a man in Shropshire in 2005, while Michael Buerk investigates an 800-year-old coat of arms badge discovered by a postman in the ruins of an old monastery in Dumfries and Galloway. Suzannah Lipscomb researches the history of a medieval gold locket from Rolleston, Nottinghamshire, thought to have belonged to a pair of lovers torn apart by war.
Kevin Whately finds out about a set of Bronze Age horns discovered by a farm labourer in Co Antrim in 1844, while historian Kate Williams travels to Belle Isle near Enniskillen to tell the story of a piece of gold jewellery that dates back thousands of years. Bettany Hughes explores the tale of the Clonmore Shrine, starting at the banks of the Blackwater River near Co Armagh.
A vast hoard of Roman coins leads John Prescott to discover that political spin began much earlier than he thought, Mary-Ann Ochota tells the story of an astonishing Iron Age mirror, and Bettany Hughes reveals the royal secret behind a hunting badge attached to a bird of prey. Suzannah Lipscomb travels to Essex, where an Elizabethan pendant was found five years ago by a carpenter on the grounds of Ingatestone Hall.
Mariella Frostrup visits Germany to investigate a badge that reveals the story of a massacre and a forgotten English saint, while Ekow Eshun researches the origins of an unusual 17th-century grooming aid. Suzannah Lipscomb travels to Holy Island off the coast of Northumberland on the trail of Elizabethan coins.
Michael Portillo tells the remarkable story behind a pair of tiny toy soldiers found at Fort George near Inverness, and Bettany Hughes meets the Stirlingshire landscape gardener who uncovered a £1million hoard of gold. Michael Buerk takes a trip along the River Tay in a Bronze Age log boat.
Katherine Jenkins travels to Boverton in the Vale of Glamorgan to tell the story of a remarkable find of Iron Age jewellery. Bettany Hughes visits the Isle of Wight to meet the girl who uncovered a 5,000-year-old tool while on a school trip, and Mary-Ann Ochota dives for treasure at the site of the sunken HMS Colossus off the Isles of Scilly. Last in the series.
