Treasure: History Unearthed is the latest exhibition to arrive at the Museum of Liverpool, featuring the most extensive collection of archaeological treasures ever displayed in the North West of England and Wales.
Curated with care by National Museums Liverpool’s archaeology team this extraordinary showcase brings together significant discoveries from across Merseyside, the North West, and North Wales. Featuring key items from a number of national and regional institutions including the British Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and Wrexham County Borough Museum.
Blending history, science, and storytelling, the exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore some of the most remarkable finds in local history, while uncovering the people, places and moments that shaped our shared past.
In archaeological terms, Treasure refers to objects made of gold or silver that are more than 300 years old. It also includes prehistoric hoards (groups of objects originally buried together), and groups of coins buried together. These items are not only beautiful examples of the work of skilled craftspeople, but they also offer a compelling insight into the lives, beliefs, and cultures of people from the past.
But what do we treasure today? A beloved football shirt passed down through generations? A child’s first drawing stuck to the fridge? These modern mementos may not be made of gold or silver, but they carry immense personal meaning. Just like the historic items in this exhibition, they tell stories of family, identity, memory, and culture. Treasure: History Unearthed invites visitors to explore not just ancient artefacts, but to reflect on their own definitions of value and memory. From Roman rings, Viking silver and Medieval coins, these extraordinary finds, discovered by chance and preserved with care, offer a window into lives long gone that are not so different from our own.
The exhibition offers a vivid and tangible connection to history, with interpretation available in both English and Welsh to reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage. It delves into the deep-rooted ties between Liverpool and North Wales, a relationship shaped over thousands of years by trade, shared crafts, and cultural exchange. From the Bronze Age to modern times, the movement of people and ideas between these regions has left a lasting imprint. By the early 20th Century this connection was clearly visible, with Liverpool home to one of the largest Welsh communities in the UK, numbering around 75,000 residents.
National Museums Liverpool has long supported archaeological work, collaborating in close partnership with colleagues from the Portable Antiquities Scheme in both England and Wales. The Portable Antiquities Scheme is run by the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public. This partnership and the dedicated work of Finds Liaison Officers, ensure that chance finds and Treasure from across England and Wales are carefully recorded and shared, enriching our collective understanding of this interconnected history.
This exhibition features significant objects unearthed in Wales, generously loaned by regional and National Museums in Wales and England. These items, on temporary loan, will return to their home collections following the exhibition.
Treasure: History Unearthed opens at the Museum of Liverpool on 13 September 2025 – 29 March 2026.
For more information and to book your tickets, visit: https://www.liverpoolmuseums.