ITV - Britain's Secret Treasures (2012)

In this brand new series, ITV1 will reveal the extraordinary treasures and historical artefacts discovered by ordinary people that have changed our understanding of British history. Presented by award-winning journalist Michael Buerk and historian and author Bettany Hughes, the series will map out the 50 key discoveries recorded by the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme since it was set up fifteen years ago, with the order of the list being determined by Bettany and a panel of experts from the British Museum and The Council for British Archaeology. They'll trawl through the almost one million finds of the last fifteen years whittling them down to the top fifty. Each one will be judged on its national importance, beauty, cultural and historic significance.

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Part 1: 50 to 45
Michael Buerk and historian Bettany Hughes are joined by guest presenters to unveil the 50 greatest artefacts discovered by members of the public. The order of the list has been determined by Bettany and a panel of experts, who have trawled through almost one million finds of the past 15 years to identify those of national importance, beauty, and cultural and historical significance. The countdown begins with items 50 to 45, featuring a Roman slave shackle, a toy cannon and a First World War medal.


Part 2: 44 to 38
Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes continue the countdown of the 50 greatest artefacts discovered by members of the public, presenting items 44 to 38. Michael Portillo tells the story of a cufflink that is one of the first royal souvenirs, a 2,000-year-old comb is put through its paces by Nicky Clarke, and Claire Barratt investigates the curious case of a medieval prosthetic nose. Plus, a Roman brothel token found on the shores of the Thames.


Part 3: 37 to 27
Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes present items 37 to 27 on the list of important historical artefacts unearthed by members of the public. Bettany goes diving for Roman treasure, Michael Portillo investigates a 2,000-year-old double-headed coin that could reveal the first political coalition, and John McCarthy tells the tale of a jewel-encrusted cross. There is also a jar full of gold coins found in Hackney that uncovers a link to the Nazis, and John Sergeant explores whether a hoard of French currency is genuine.


Part 4: 26 to 19
The countdown of objects continues from 26 to 19 with Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes. Mary-Ann Ochota uncovers a tale of murder and mystery in Canterbury with the discovery of pilgrim badges in a river, and metal detectorist Dave Crisp recalls how he found a hoard of 52,000 coins dating from the third century AD. Plus, Brian Blessed tells the story of a Roman bust found by a farmer and Gethin Jones examines a Roman drinking cup with a leopard handle.


Part 5: 18 to 11
Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes reveal items 18 to 11 in this penultimate edition of the series. Jon Culshaw follows the trail of a hoard of Viking treasure, Dan Lobb investigates a Bronze Age stash of goods that sheds light on Britain's import/export trade with Europe 3,500 years ago, and Anita Rani asks whether a 12th-century metal knight might be a medieval chess piece.


Part 6: Top 10
Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes reveal the top 10 historical artefacts discovered by the public. William Roache investigates a 3,500-year-old gold cup ploughed up by a farmer, and a hoard of Viking treasure leads John Sergeant to the legacy of a man barely known today, but who was the first king of all England. A single coin, found in a collection of thousands in Oxfordshire, sheds light on a Roman emperor, while Michael Portillo explores the discovery of a tiny silver badge in the shape of a boar. Last in the series.