The number of archaeological objects officially unearthed in Britain has reached the 1.5million mark - with the discovery of a seal belonging to a 13th century pope. The medieval find, which is more than 750 years old, was a seal of Pope Innocent IV and may have links to an English monarch. Born Sinibaldo Fieschi, Pope Innocent IV, whose papacy began in 1243, used the lead coin-like object to confer political and religious favours. Experts believe the seal may have ended up there because the Pope was trying to obtain Henry III's support in his claim for Sicily. They include gold vessel the Ringlemere Cup; the 2,581 coins known as the Chew Valley Hoard; the Staffordshire Moorlands pan and the Staffordshire Hoard - the largest find of Anglo-Saxon gold.

Source: Daily Mail July 09, 2020 00:55 UTC