The Havering Hoard is a notable discovery consisting of 453 Late Bronze Age artifacts dating back to approximately 900 to 800 BC. This hoard was found on a site overlooking the River Thames in Rainham, London, in 2018. It holds the distinction of being the largest Bronze Age hoard in London and ranks as the third largest in all of Britain. The discovery occurred during an archaeological survey of the site, which was intended for gravel mining.
The hoard contains a diverse range of items, including weapons, tools, and ingots, but relatively little jewelry. What makes this discovery unique is that it was scattered across four different locations within the site. Most Bronze Age hoards previously unearthed were concentrated in a single location. Some items from continental Europe suggest a connection to the region. Various theories have been proposed regarding the hoard's origin, such as the collection of recycled goods, an individual's attempt to control the local bronze trade, or a large-scale abandonment of bronze objects during the early Iron Age.
The Havering treasure trove is currently on display at the Docklands Museum in London, and it is planned to be exhibited at the Havering Museum in the future.
The discovery of the Havering Hoard took place during archaeological investigations at a site in Rainham, London Borough of Havering. This site had long been identified as a possible Bronze Age enclosure site, and traces of earthworks had been detected through aerial photography dating back to the 1960s. The area surrounding the site had also yielded numerous Bronze Age artifacts. The quarrying company granted permission for gravel mining, but this was subject to planning conditions that included an archaeological excavation. This requirement was introduced based on the recommendation of the Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service of Historic England, which had noted the high archaeological potential of the site. Archaeological Solutions Ltd. was commissioned by the quarrying company to carry out the excavation.
The discovery itself occurred on a Friday afternoon when the site was being closed for the weekend. It was made by a 21-year-old archaeologist named Harry Platts, who had recently started a temporary six-week contract with the company just four weeks prior. He initially found an axe head, and further exploration by the team revealed additional objects buried together in a hole several meters wide. The discovery was officially recognized as a treasure, and the artifacts became the subject of archaeological interest and research. Harry Platts, after his time with the company, went on to enroll in a master's degree program in archaeology at York University.