The Post-Medieval period
The last slice of time is the post medieval period. This period of time covers everything from the year 1500 to the year 1750AD. Some archaeologists like to have a modern period too, covering even more recent time, but the Scheme only records objects that date from 1750 or earlier. The reason for this is that there are so many modern finds, things that are less than 300 years old, that if we tried to record them all, we wouldn’t have enough people or time to record the older objects too! However, if you find something and you are not sure if it is more than 300 years old, you can still take it to your local Finds Liaison Officer to check if it should be recorded!
The Post Medieval period produces more finds than the other periods. This is because of two things. The first is that because this period, or slice of time , is more recent, objects haven’t rotted away (called corrosion); the second is that more of them were made in the first place. This is the period that sees mass manufacturing and a movement away from everything being made by hand.
The most common finds that the Scheme has recorded from this period are:
- coins
- buckles
- tokens
- weights
- jettons
Some of the finds from this time are our only source of evidence about really important events that happened, like battles. Musket balls and cartridge caps can sometimes be the only evidence of how and exactly where the battle of the civil war were fought. When these are found it is very important to record exactly where they came from as this can tell us something of what actually happened on the day of the battle, where people stood and which way they were shooting! Take a look at the database and see if there have been any found where you live!
Why not experiment yourself and see what you find in your garden, or a friend’s garden or the school field? Remember to ask permission from whoever owns the garden or field first though!
Post Medieval finds from England and Wales
- POST MEDIEVAL Buckle : SUR-D9B536
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : SUR-D98D01
- POST MEDIEVAL Spoon : SUR-D89297
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : SUR-D83AC3
- POST MEDIEVAL Jetton : SF-D76603
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : LANCUM-D71BF6
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : LANCUM-D708C6
- POST MEDIEVAL cloth seal : SWYOR-D4EBB8
- POST MEDIEVAL scabbard hook : CORN-C9DD95
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : DEV-C487A3
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : SUR-C1ED14
- POST MEDIEVAL Coin : SUR-C071C4
- POST MEDIEVAL Hooked Tag : SF-BEFC17
- POST MEDIEVAL Hooked Tag : SF-BE82A3
- POST MEDIEVAL Sword : NMS-BDEB96
