toward the end of the 17th century a large roman vessel, containing five smaller ones, was found at kingston blount. in 1971 a hoard of late seventh- and early eighth-century silver coins called sceattas was found on the chiltern escarpment, near where the a40 road crosses the icknield way. in 1972 the hoard was reported to total 175 coins, by 1994 the total was 350, and either case it was then the largest single find of sceattas in britain. a coroner's court determined that the coins are treasure trove, and the british museum then acquired the hoard.