St Albans and surrounding areas are full of reminders of the ancient past - including the remains of the Roman town of Verulamium.
We looked at some of the important archaeological discoveries made in St Albans and surrounding areas in the 20th and 21st centuries
A 'treasure map' of discoveries is also available from Hertfordshire Historic Environmental Record at https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/recycling-waste-and-environment/historic-environment-archaeology/hertfordshire-historic-environment-record.aspx.
Here are some treasure troves, ruins and remains uncovered in our area:
1. Verulamium ruins
Undoubtedly the most famous archaeological discovery in St Albans, the majority of the Roman ruins were excavated by Dr Mortimer Wheeler and Tessa Wheeler in the 1930s.
Sheppard Frere, a professor at Oxford University specialising in Roman archaeology, undertook further work at Verulamium from 1955-1961.
Professor Frere, who died in 2015 at the age of 98, discovered evidence that Verulamium was destroyed by Boudicca's army in AD 60-61.
In 2017, archaeologists found remains of the town house of a wealthy person, which may have featured mosaic flooring, and the corner of a city wall.
2. Roman basilica and portico
Archaeologists discovered coins, fragments and ruins dating back to the late Roman period during a dig at St Michael's School in 2018.
They unearthed the corner of the main facade of a basilica, dating back to 79AD, a late Roman portico, six Roman coins, the handle of an amphora (a Roman vase) and a tile with the paw print of a Roman dog.
3. Ancient kiln
Another Verulamium find, archaeologists discovered an 1,800-year-old pottery kiln while gas pipe work was carried out in the area in 2017.
This was the fifth pottery oven to be found in the area since the 1980s, when the Abbey View running track was built.
The discovery of the kiln gave archaeologists a greater understanding of how Verulamium was set up, and how "advanced and productive" the Romans of Verulamium were.
4. Bones under museum
Animal bones dating back to the 14th century were discovered during the transformation of St Albans Town Hall to St Albans Museum + Gallery in 2017.
The bones belonged to pigs and sheep, and included ribs and jawbones.
The construction team also found a centuries-old leather shoe, dating back to medieval times, in a historic cesspit.
5. Roman coin hoard
In 2012, a rookie metal detectorist discovered the largest-ever hoard of Roman coins found in the UK in Sandridge woodland.
Remarkably, it was his first-ever outing with his metal detector, and he was using the cheapest equipment he could buy.
After just 15 minutes of searching, he discovered 54 coins in near-mint condition,
The find was referred to Verulamium Museum, who organised a dig to recover the remaining coins - amounting to 159 in total.
6. Ancient burial urns
Human remains from 2,000 years ago were unearthed at a St Albans building site in 2012.
Archaeologists discovered the "nationally significant" find at former school playing fields on King Harry Lane.
They found an entrance to the Iron Age tribal capital of Verlamion, precursor to Roman Verulamium, and five urns containing cremated remains.
The urns were buried just 40cm below the surface, beneath where school children had recently played.
7. 15th century abbot
The remains of Abbot John of Wheathampstead were discovered during excavation work at St Albans Cathedral in 2017.
One of the most influential Benedictine abbots of his age, Abbot John's burial site was unknown for 480 years, until he was found alongside three papal bulls - formal decrees or charters issued by a pope - he had been given by Pope Martin V.
In 2022, a ceremony took place at the cathedral to lay Abbot John's remains to rest once more.
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