Found & Forgotten: Ancient Skulls, Viking Gold, and the Right Way to Dig

In this thrilling episode of Lost Treasures, hosts Adam Means and John Scheil return from a short break with a jam-packed discussion of recent discoveries and lessons learned in the world of treasure hunting and archaeology. From ancient skulls in China to Viking-era betrayals in Britain and Roman coin hoards in Romania, this episode has it all — along with Adam’s personal update on a years-long excavation journey.

In This Episode:

• 🧠 300,000-Year-Old Skull Discovery: Hear about a new find in China that may represent a previously unknown human ancestor — complete with forensic clues like healed lesions and unique brain size.
• 🪙 Viking Coin Controversy in Britain: Learn how two metal detectorists found a $3.8 million treasure and lost everything (including their freedom) by skipping the legal steps. It’s a cautionary tale of greed and impatience.
• 🏛 Roman Coin Jackpot: A retired welder in Britain stumbles upon an ultra-rare gold Roman coin from 69 AD — and does everything right, earning recognition and a share of the reward.
• ⚖️ Cultural Patrimony & Legal Lessons: The hosts explore what can happen when treasure laws are ignored — and why playing by the rules ensures both historical preservation and personal gain.
• 📍 Adam’s Personal Excavation Update: Adam shares behind-the-scenes details of his three-year-long journey to legally excavate in a public park. From dealing with archaeologists to mastering permits, GPR surveys, and contract issues, it’s a masterclass in real-world treasure hunting.
• 🏺 Dacian Silver in Romania: Dive into two stunning Romanian finds — one featuring 1,469 Roman silver coins and another with ornate Dacian-era silver jewelry, both done by detectorists who followed the rules and are now part of the historical record.

Download and Tune In!

This episode is a global tour through time, treasure, and the challenges of doing things the right way. Whether you're new to metal detecting or deep into your own archaeological project, Episode 18 offers practical advice, legal insights, and jaw-dropping discoveries. Download now and join Adam and John as they uncover the past — the right way — on Lost Treasures.