Welcome to the history section of the Three Spires Search Society.

Use the links above to navigate around the ages, the entries and pictures have clickable links to external sites that provide more information. This section does not pretend to be a comprehensive history of our country just a collection of facts that may be of interest to our members given a shared love of metal detecting and our heritage.

Julius Caesar led the first Roman expedition to Britain landing in Kent with two legions (about 10,000 men). After initial success storms wrecked the transports bringing his cavalry and he returned to Gaul.
c. 5000 BC
 
Long barrows and chambered tombs begin to appear. Long Low near Wetton in the Peak District is the only example in Staffordshire.
3500-3000 BC
 
3300-1200 BC
Stone circles and Henges appear. They are rare in our area although several examples can be found in the Peak District. It is thought that there could be the remains of a Henge at Bradley near to Stafford.
The most famous ancient monument of all, Stonehenge, is built. Experts disagree on when it was built and what it was for but it took millions of man hours to build and still induces a sense of awe.
3000-1600 BC
2500 BC
The Bronze Age begins. Metal artefacts of bronze copper and gold are produced giving us our oldest items to detect such as this middle bronze age palstave axe found locally by a club member.
Not all bronze age artefacts are found in the South East. The Lockington Gold Hoard was found in Leicestershire in 1993, It consists of 2 beakers, a dagger and 2 gold armlets.
2000 BC
 
1500 BC
In the later bronze age major river valleys such as The Trent are intensively settled. From this time and into the Iron age hoards of metal items are deposited, probably as votive offerings and usually near to water, Such a hoard was found at Armitage in the 18th C.
Permanent settlement established at present day Stafford.
900-700 BC
 
By now society has the tribal culture commonly referred to as Celtic. The first hill forts start to appear, the largest in Staffordshire is Castle Ring on Cannock Chase built by the Cornovii tribe.
800 BC
c.700 BC
The oldest recorded coin , a 1/6th stater of Lydia, which was found at Ephesus
 
c.600 BC
 The Iron Age begins
Coins minted in France make their way to Britain. Local production started some time afterwards initially copying foreign coins before moving onto their own designs.
c.100 BC
200-55 BC
By now the population of these islands has evolved into a sophisticated and complex society. Highly skilled metal workers are creating magnificent objects in gold, silver and bronze. Over the years many of these items have been discovered to delight and amaze us