Britain's Secret Treasures - Season 1

Broadcaster Michael Buerk and historian Bettany Hughes present a series of programmes counting down the 50 greatest treasures discovered by the British public. The order has been compiled by a panel of experts from the British Museum and the Council for British Archaeology. In the first programme, journalist John McCarthy discovers the story behind a Roman slave shackle found in Winchester, military historian Saul David discovers how dangerous an 18th-century toy cannon from Somerset could have been and Bettany meets the five-year-old boy who found a gold reliquary valued at 70,000 pounds.

Michael Buerk and historian Bettany Hughes presents a series of programmes counting down the 50 greatest treasures discovered by the British public. In this episode, Michael Portillo discovers that a cufflink from Rochester was one of the first-ever royal souvenirs, a 2000-year-old comb is put through its paces by hairdresser Nicky Clarke, Claire Barratt investigates the curious case of a medieval prosthetic nose, and there is a look at a token for a Roman brothel on the shores of the Thames.

Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes continue the countdown of the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public. Bettany goes diving for Roman treasure, Michael Portillo investigates a two-headed 2000-year-old coin revealing a political coalition, John McCarthy tells the story of a jewel-encrusted cross, a jar full of gold coins found on a Hackney council estate reveals a story about the Nazis, and John Sergeant checks out a hoard of French coins which could be forgeries.

The countdown of the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public continues from 26 to 19 and includes a tale of murder and mystery behind a discovery of pilgrim badges in a river in Canterbury. Dave Crisp reveals how it feels to dig up 52,000 Roman coins, Brian Blessed unearths the story of a Roman bust found by a farmer in Oxfordshire, Gethin Jones is amazed by a Roman drinking cup with a leopard handle, and there is a look at a Viking curiosity revealing ancient runes. Presented by Michel Buerk and Bettany Hughes.

The countdown of the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public continues from 18 to 11. Jon Culshaw goes on the trail of some Viking treasure which gives a clue to the origins of the north/south divide, Dan Lobb reveals how a Bronze Age stash proves that the import and export business was thriving 3,500 years ago and, in Nottinghamshire, Anita Rani tells the story of a medieval chess piece - a 12th century metal knight. Presented by Michael Buerk and Bettany Hughes.

The final programme in the series counting down the 50 greatest treasures found by the British public. Bill Roach goes on a spiritual journey to Kent to investigate a gold cup that is 3,500 years old. Michael Portillo investigates the discovery of a tiny silver badge in the shape of a boar, and Britain's number one secret treasure is revealed.