Beneath our Feet: Everyday Discoveries Reshaping History

Recounts the incredible stories of more than 50 archaeological treasures recently found by ordinary people, and which are reshaping our understanding of British history. Britain’s history runs deep – and much of its treasured past lies hidden underfoot. Every day, new discoveries are unearthed not by expert archaeologists but by amateur enthusiasts. Armed with spades and maps, these detectorists, mudlarks and fieldwalkers scour the earth’s surface. What they find is perhaps at first glance unremarkable: fragments of pottery, metal coins, jewellery. But from the pieces emerge stories of how our ancestors lived, traded, ate, played, fought – and died. Beneath Our Feet is a celebration of this growing public involvement in archaeology, and the groundbreaking work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme managed by the British Museum in England and Amgueddfa Cymru in Wales.

About the Author :
Michael Lewis is Head of Portable Antiquities & Treasure at the British Museum - managing both the Portable Antiquities Scheme and overseeing the administration of the Treasure Act - and Visiting Professor in Archaeology at the University of Reading. His is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Art Scholars. He has a particular interest in small finds of the medieval period. He was previously a Special Constable with the Metropolitan Police's Art & Antiques Unit, and is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Archaeology (Advisory) Group and the ACPO's Heritage Crime and Cultural Property Working Group. He is the author of The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry with Dave Musgrove. Ian Richardson is the Senior Treasure Registrar at the PAS/BM. Mackenzie Crook is the writer, director and star of the BAFTA-winning television series Detectorists.

Review :
'Beautifully illustrated … highlights the vital work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in documenting finds made by members of the public, and celebrates the remarkable artefacts and insights that have been brought to light through the cooperation of archaeologists and amateurs … a dazzling display … the passion of both parties is palpable' - Current Archaeology 'An impressive and exquisitely illustrated tribute to [archaeology]… The reader learns not only about rare objects discovered in Britain but also about the treasure hunters and everyday people who found them, including metal detectorists, mudlarkers, fieldwalkers, and gardeners… Readers will savor this mostly sunny view of archaeological adventuring' - Publishers Weekly 'There’s a breathless enthusiasm to this book, as if the authors can’t wait to share all the stories about treasure … These finds tell stories of cross-cultural exchange and body adornment, of propaganda and pomp, of hunting and fighting and love' - Country Life