32 stunning centuries-old hoards unearthed by metal detectorists

A close-up of a gold medallion with text and a figure of a man.

For thousands of years, humans have buried hoards of artifacts. They've been hidden for a variety of reasons, such as religious offerings to deities or safekeeping from advancing armies. Metal detectors can be helpful for finding these hoards, and amateurs have been particularly enthusiastic about using them. 

Here's a look at 32 hoards that were found by people using metal detectors. In most cases, the discoveries were made by amateurs. Many of the hoards are from Britain, where the use of metal detectors by amateurs is legal and finds are cataloged by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.