Museums

An exhibition of archaeological finds in four Northamptonshire libraries  

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery is working with West Northamptonshire libraries to develop a changing programme of temporary exhibitions on display at four libraries across Northamptonshire: Brackley, Towcester, Daventry, and Weston Favell. The new exhibition spaces are part of the museum’s ‘Histories of Northamptonshire’ project which is funded by Arts Council England. You can read more about Northampton Museum and Art Gallery’s status as a National Portfolio Organisation here. 

The first exhibition to be displayed at libraries in Brackley, Towcester, Daventry, and Weston Favell is titled Unearthed: Portable Antiquities Scheme finds from across Northamptonshire and will be on display until the end of April 2024. Each library will display different archaeological artefacts relating to four time periods: Bronze Age, Roman, Medieval, and Post-Medieval. Please see below for a timetable detailing when each section is on display at each library. 

Brackley Library
January - Bronze Age
February - Roman
March - Post-Medieval
April - Medieval

Towcester Library
January - Roman
February - Bronze Age
March - Medieval
April - Post-Medieval

Daventry Library
January - Medieval
February - Post-Medieval
March - Roman
April - Bronze Age

Weston Favell Library
January - Post Medieval
February - Medieval
March - Bronze Age
April - Roman

Many of the objects on display were found by metal detectorists and acquired by the museum through the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS). The Scheme, run by the British Museum, encourages finders to report their finds so that everyone can benefit from the knowledge these objects unlock. The British Museum also oversees the administration of the Treasure Act 1996 which defines which objects are classified as treasure and legally obliges the finder to report their find. The exhibition showcases objects purchased by and donated to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, some of which have never before been on display. Visit your local library today to see traces of life in Northamptonshire from hundreds and thousands of years ago.