Andy Agate
@andyagate.bsky.social
Archaeologist, Finds Liason Officer for Northumberland and Newcastle, Visiting Fellow Newcastle University.
Reposted by Andy Agate
Just in case you've got the Monday blues, here's a burst of colour to brighten your day.
A huge thanks to Debbie who captured this autumnal scene at Sheffield Park and Garden.
A huge thanks to Debbie who captured this autumnal scene at Sheffield Park and Garden.
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Just in case you've got the Monday blues, here's a burst of colour to brighten your day.
A huge thanks to Debbie who captured this autumnal scene at Sheffield Park and Garden.
A huge thanks to Debbie who captured this autumnal scene at Sheffield Park and Garden.
Reposted by Andy Agate
source: p36 of this document. In 2023 (the latest figures available), fewer than 4k people in Eng + Wales reported finds to the PAS (p5). If there's 50k detectorists in this country (almost certainly a lot more), under 10% of them report their finds to the PAS #archaeology
finds.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 11:26 PM
source: p36 of this document. In 2023 (the latest figures available), fewer than 4k people in Eng + Wales reported finds to the PAS (p5). If there's 50k detectorists in this country (almost certainly a lot more), under 10% of them report their finds to the PAS #archaeology
Reposted by Andy Agate
Xmas presents sorted! #medievalsky
It's very cool to see Barnes and Noble listing my upcoming book, Treasures of the Vikings, on the US book market! 🇺🇲 📚
November 16, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Xmas presents sorted! #medievalsky
Reposted by Andy Agate
It's very cool to see Barnes and Noble listing my upcoming book, Treasures of the Vikings, on the US book market! 🇺🇲 📚
November 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
It's very cool to see Barnes and Noble listing my upcoming book, Treasures of the Vikings, on the US book market! 🇺🇲 📚
Reposted by Andy Agate
when I hear Starmer speak about immigration and race he's spitting in the face of the Labour voters I knew growing up in Manchester, who put themselves on the line against the National Front - and often the police - in the 1970s and 1980s.
Ultimately the vision of britain that starmer has is profoundly cynical, nasty and just not true. He thinks that abidicating his responsibility in showing that another option is maturity and doing the difficult thing, but he's literally just creating the hateful country he is so afraid of
November 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
when I hear Starmer speak about immigration and race he's spitting in the face of the Labour voters I knew growing up in Manchester, who put themselves on the line against the National Front - and often the police - in the 1970s and 1980s.
Reposted by Andy Agate
Urghh... it's as bad as I hoped it wasn't - these really are 'the first', 'the earliest', 'the only'.
In terms of gold cash price they're not worth a huge amount, maybe £60k, if that - but in historical value, they're utterly priceless.
So awful.😔
#Archaeology 🏺
1/2
www.bbc.com/news/article...
In terms of gold cash price they're not worth a huge amount, maybe £60k, if that - but in historical value, they're utterly priceless.
So awful.😔
#Archaeology 🏺
1/2
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Search continues for Bronze Age artefacts stolen from St Fagans
Two men have been charged with burglary, but "invaluable" items are still missing from St Fagans collection.
www.bbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Urghh... it's as bad as I hoped it wasn't - these really are 'the first', 'the earliest', 'the only'.
In terms of gold cash price they're not worth a huge amount, maybe £60k, if that - but in historical value, they're utterly priceless.
So awful.😔
#Archaeology 🏺
1/2
www.bbc.com/news/article...
In terms of gold cash price they're not worth a huge amount, maybe £60k, if that - but in historical value, they're utterly priceless.
So awful.😔
#Archaeology 🏺
1/2
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Andy Agate
4% of annual finds recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme were DONATED to Museums.... thats right 4%
📢One last time folks 4%📢
C'mon people, without Generosity, Donation, Giving, Legacy or Sharing how do we & our future generations have access to our shared heritage?
📢One last time folks 4%📢
C'mon people, without Generosity, Donation, Giving, Legacy or Sharing how do we & our future generations have access to our shared heritage?
OK. These are the new, updated, figures for 2023.
Utterly miserable reading -
"1,343 #treasure finds reported in 2023 (1,091 object cases and 252 coin cases). Of these cases:
❌️328 (24%) were acquired by museums (260 object cases, 68 coin cases)"❌️
1/3
#Archaeology 🏺
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Utterly miserable reading -
"1,343 #treasure finds reported in 2023 (1,091 object cases and 252 coin cases). Of these cases:
❌️328 (24%) were acquired by museums (260 object cases, 68 coin cases)"❌️
1/3
#Archaeology 🏺
www.gov.uk/government/s...
Reported Treasure Finds 2023 and 2024 Statistical Release
www.gov.uk
November 13, 2025 at 10:44 AM
4% of annual finds recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme were DONATED to Museums.... thats right 4%
📢One last time folks 4%📢
C'mon people, without Generosity, Donation, Giving, Legacy or Sharing how do we & our future generations have access to our shared heritage?
📢One last time folks 4%📢
C'mon people, without Generosity, Donation, Giving, Legacy or Sharing how do we & our future generations have access to our shared heritage?
Reposted by Andy Agate
Today's news:
What happens when museums can't afford to buy coins...
'Auctioneer, David Guest said the "stunning" coins were sold to "bidders from all over the world and exceeded my expectations".'
Bidders.
From.
All.
Over.
The.
World.
😡
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What happens when museums can't afford to buy coins...
'Auctioneer, David Guest said the "stunning" coins were sold to "bidders from all over the world and exceeded my expectations".'
Bidders.
From.
All.
Over.
The.
World.
😡
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New Forest hoard of 70 coins dug up in lockdown fetch over £380k
The 69 gold coins and one silver were found in a garden in Milford on Sea in April 2020.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Today's news:
What happens when museums can't afford to buy coins...
'Auctioneer, David Guest said the "stunning" coins were sold to "bidders from all over the world and exceeded my expectations".'
Bidders.
From.
All.
Over.
The.
World.
😡
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What happens when museums can't afford to buy coins...
'Auctioneer, David Guest said the "stunning" coins were sold to "bidders from all over the world and exceeded my expectations".'
Bidders.
From.
All.
Over.
The.
World.
😡
#Archaeology 🏺 #Detecting
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Andy Agate
An important continuation of the discussion
A guest blog, which adds more detail to the narrative of detecting in England & Wales.
Thank you to my anonymous colleague for writing this important piece & for allowing me to host it on the Big Book of Torcs! 😊
#Archaeology #Detecting #Torcs #gold #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/08/w...
Thank you to my anonymous colleague for writing this important piece & for allowing me to host it on the Big Book of Torcs! 😊
#Archaeology #Detecting #Torcs #gold #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/08/w...
“Who Pays for the Hobby?”: Metal Detecting in England and Wales
[A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] This is a first for The Big Book of Torcs. Today, I open up BBoT to a guest blog, written by a friend and archaeological colleagu…
bigbookoftorcs.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
An important continuation of the discussion
Reposted by Andy Agate
A guest blog, which adds more detail to the narrative of detecting in England & Wales.
Thank you to my anonymous colleague for writing this important piece & for allowing me to host it on the Big Book of Torcs! 😊
#Archaeology #Detecting #Torcs #gold #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/08/w...
Thank you to my anonymous colleague for writing this important piece & for allowing me to host it on the Big Book of Torcs! 😊
#Archaeology #Detecting #Torcs #gold #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/08/w...
“Who Pays for the Hobby?”: Metal Detecting in England and Wales
[A download/print PDF version can be found at the end of the paper] This is a first for The Big Book of Torcs. Today, I open up BBoT to a guest blog, written by a friend and archaeological colleagu…
bigbookoftorcs.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:32 AM
A guest blog, which adds more detail to the narrative of detecting in England & Wales.
Thank you to my anonymous colleague for writing this important piece & for allowing me to host it on the Big Book of Torcs! 😊
#Archaeology #Detecting #Torcs #gold #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/08/w...
Thank you to my anonymous colleague for writing this important piece & for allowing me to host it on the Big Book of Torcs! 😊
#Archaeology #Detecting #Torcs #gold #Treasure
bigbookoftorcs.com/2025/11/08/w...
Reposted by Andy Agate
These are often mistaken for Early-Medieval pins but they are medieval strap ends. Only one published example is known from a 14th-15th-century context in Hartlepool. Some feature a terminal cross as on 13th-14th-century strap-ends. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
These are often mistaken for Early-Medieval pins but they are medieval strap ends. Only one published example is known from a 14th-15th-century context in Hartlepool. Some feature a terminal cross as on 13th-14th-century strap-ends. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...
Reposted by Andy Agate
THIS IS SO GOOD
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 AM
THIS IS SO GOOD
Reposted by Andy Agate
The one thing with Reeves and tax rises: where is the sense that this is being done for a positive reason? The narrative is still crisis.
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
The one thing with Reeves and tax rises: where is the sense that this is being done for a positive reason? The narrative is still crisis.
Reposted by Andy Agate
Your timely reminder that the arseholes™️ aren't bothered that the person in custody was born in the UK, or is a Brit citizen, because to them being a tad darker than magnolia means you're a migrant by default. Pointing it out to them isn't going to change their screeching
November 2, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Your timely reminder that the arseholes™️ aren't bothered that the person in custody was born in the UK, or is a Brit citizen, because to them being a tad darker than magnolia means you're a migrant by default. Pointing it out to them isn't going to change their screeching
Reposted by Andy Agate
Every football match in England: No Room for Racism
English media and politics: Very Much Room for Racism
English media and politics: Very Much Room for Racism
October 26, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Every football match in England: No Room for Racism
English media and politics: Very Much Room for Racism
English media and politics: Very Much Room for Racism
Reposted by Andy Agate
I hear the Epstein Ballroom will be illuminated solely by gaslighting.
October 24, 2025 at 11:27 AM
I hear the Epstein Ballroom will be illuminated solely by gaslighting.
Reposted by Andy Agate
“Homosexuals and feminists face execution in Saudi Arabia. Now they’ve got the standups on to them as well” says STEWART LEE www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Stewart Lee: Homosexuals and feminists face execution in Saudi. Now they’ve got the standups on to them as well
On the centenary of his birth, what would legendary satirist Lenny Bruce and a generation he inspired make of those on stage at the Riyadh comedy festival?
www.thenerve.news
October 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
“Homosexuals and feminists face execution in Saudi Arabia. Now they’ve got the standups on to them as well” says STEWART LEE www.thenerve.news/p/stewart-le...
Reposted by Andy Agate
This amazing object is a Bronze Age palstave axehead c.1500-1250 BC. The axe would be hafted to a forked wooden handle held in place by high flanges & deep stop ridge. It is decorated with a trident-like shield design. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...
October 10, 2025 at 7:30 AM
This amazing object is a Bronze Age palstave axehead c.1500-1250 BC. The axe would be hafted to a forked wooden handle held in place by high flanges & deep stop ridge. It is decorated with a trident-like shield design. #FindsFriday finds.org.uk/database/art...
Reposted by Andy Agate
Badenoch reading Vimes' Boots Theory of Socio-economic Unfairness and thinking how much more economic growth comes from making poorer people buy cheap boots over and over
October 7, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Badenoch reading Vimes' Boots Theory of Socio-economic Unfairness and thinking how much more economic growth comes from making poorer people buy cheap boots over and over
Reposted by Andy Agate
I came here to chew gum and call out lies on Twitter... and I'm all out of gum.
(Photo @politicalpics)
(Photo @politicalpics)
October 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I came here to chew gum and call out lies on Twitter... and I'm all out of gum.
(Photo @politicalpics)
(Photo @politicalpics)
Had a lovely private walk around the Liverpool Treasure:History Unearthed exhibition this evening. What a wonderful show! Amazing objects lit so beautifully! And it's not all precious metals! Portable Antiquities Scheme annual Conference tomorrow! Travel Tavern tonight! #PAS
October 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Had a lovely private walk around the Liverpool Treasure:History Unearthed exhibition this evening. What a wonderful show! Amazing objects lit so beautifully! And it's not all precious metals! Portable Antiquities Scheme annual Conference tomorrow! Travel Tavern tonight! #PAS
Reposted by Andy Agate
Convinced that most British people want to live in a functioning, decent country where government improves stuff and everyone can thrive.
The vast majority want nothing to do with this imported hate and atmosphere of violence directed at people just trying to live their lives.
The vast majority want nothing to do with this imported hate and atmosphere of violence directed at people just trying to live their lives.
October 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Convinced that most British people want to live in a functioning, decent country where government improves stuff and everyone can thrive.
The vast majority want nothing to do with this imported hate and atmosphere of violence directed at people just trying to live their lives.
The vast majority want nothing to do with this imported hate and atmosphere of violence directed at people just trying to live their lives.
Reposted by Andy Agate
We get it.
October 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
We get it.
Reposted by Andy Agate
Let’s balance up this poll…
POLL: Is Reform's migrant visa plan racist?
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
POLL: Is Reform's migrant visa plan racist?
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
POLL: Is Reform's migrant visa plan racist? | Politics | News | Express.co.uk
Sir Keir Starmer branded Reform's policy requiring those granted indefinite leave to remain to reapply under far tougher criteria as 'racist'.
www.express.co.uk
September 29, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Let’s balance up this poll…
POLL: Is Reform's migrant visa plan racist?
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
POLL: Is Reform's migrant visa plan racist?
www.express.co.uk/news/politic...