LONDON, ENGLAND.-More than 67,000 archaeological items and 427 pieces of treasure have been discovered by members of the public over the past year. The details of the finds are revealed today in two new reports launched by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

The PAS, which is run by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), is the country's largest community archaeology project and its annual report (2004/5) contains information about finds reported by amateur archaeologists, metal detectorists, gardeners, farmers, builders and walkers.

The DCMS Treasure Annual Report includes details of objects reported under the Treasure Act 1996. Finders have a legal obligation to report potential treasure finds over 300 years old, generally gold and silver objects, and the Act ensures that, where possible, such items become available to the public in our museums.

Items discovered go back to the Prehistoric period and range from a first century nail cleaner to one of the most remarkable examples of ornate Roman Oil lamp found in Britain; a mystery seventh century head, beautiful jewellery, and a stunning coin which proves the existence of a little known Roman Emperor Domitian II.

A selection of the objects will be on view at today's launch at the Museum of London, including:

Eighteenth century apple or cheese scoops from London (c.1700) - three apple or cheese scoops made from the metapodial bones of sheep which were found on the Thames foreshore, City of London and are in excellent condition of preservation.
Roman copper-alloy figurine (50-100 AD) - Roman copper-alloy fitting from a table leg in the form of the deity Attys, found in Reigate, Surrey. The object appears to be unique in Roman Britain. The only known parallel comes from Pompeii.
Roman silver coin (c.271 AD) – a base silver Roman coin known as a radiate of the emperor Domitian II was discovered in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire - the first such coin found in Britain. The only other was found in France and was thought to be a fake until the discovery of the British coin proved the existence of the short-lived emperor.