First-time metal detectorist finds a trove of Roman and Viking treasures - wrapped in a supermarket plastic bag

• A first-time metal detectorist unearthed trove of Roman and Viking treasures wrapped in an supermarket plastic bag.
• The loot turned out to have been stolen from a nearby home in 2017.
• It was returned to its rightful owner, who said he was resigned to having lost it forever.

A first-time metal detectorist unearthed trove of stolen Roman and Viking treasures wrapped in an supermarket plastic bag.

Englishman Charles Cartwright was searching through a field in Polfields Coppice, Doddenham on May 7 when he discovered nearly 300 historic items, including jewelry, medieval and Bronze age pieces, and Egyptian relics.

The hoard, which was inside an Aldi bag, had been stolen in a burglary from a home in Ludlow, Shropshire, in 2017.

Cartwright reported the find to the landowner and coroners' office, who then traced it back to its rightful owners. Police said it was worth in excess of £5,500 ($7,750).

"I put my spade in about a quarter of a foot and I heard it tinkle on something metal," Cartwright said, according to the BBC.

"I moved it to [one] side and I saw a large silver jug, so I uncovered that, lifted it it out and it weighed a hell of a lot because it was full of water.

"Inside the jug was an Aldi plastic bag and inside that was the other 271 items."

Cartwright said the find was "exhilarating" but seeing the plastic bag raised suspicions, so he decided to contact the police.

"You always hear stories like this, but you never get to be a part of one. So it is exciting to be part of such a happy conclusion," he added.

The owner of the items, a lifelong antique collector, said he was thrilled to have the collection back.

"We had resigned ourselves that we wouldn't get them back as they had been gone that long, you just don't even think about them being returned anymore," he said.

The owner said he had attempted to offer Cartwright a reward for his troubles, which he declined, but said he hoped to meet him and "buy him a pint or two" in the future.