Since the age of 13 James Balme has been searching for evidence of our ancient ancestors through intensive research and site investigation. Born in Chester he has always been fascinated by Roman Britain and its people.

It was in October 1998 when he made his first major archaeological discovery by uncovering previously unknown Roman Military activity near his home in Cheshire.

The Roman Military encampment was just the first of many more exciting finds and James has since discovered a number of pre-historic sites where he recovered many hundreds of flint tools and other implements as well as Bronze Age artefacts including a rare bronze axe dated to 1900BC, and more recently he recovered a very rare 1st Century silver Roman snake bracelet that had once been owned by a wealthy Roman citizen.

Over time James has uncovered many more exciting finds including Republican Roman silver coinage dated to 118BC and he has since made further important archaeological discoveries of our ancient past as a result of his work. His knowledge and skills of recovering and identifying artefacts left behind by our ancient ancestors is second to none and with 30 years experience he is an expert in finds identification. He specialises in history and archaeology from the prehistoric, Roman and through to the Saxon period. James is also an expert for metal detecting in Britain today having joined the hobby in its early days back in 1975.

James appears regularly on television and radio to highlight his work and discoveries that he continues to make in the North West of England, He is also very much in demand as a speaker at dinner and luncheon clubs. He has appeared on Time Team for channel 4 as well as features for BBC TV and Granada television. James is also presenter of ‘ The History show ‘ on Radio General, hospital radio for Warrington where he has been broadcasting live for the past two years.

As well as presenting, James is also the official film and documentary producer for the Middlewich Roman and Norman festivals where he is commissioned each year to write and produce heritage features. Working to exacting standards his films are approved by the Heritage Lottery Fund and are made available to schools and the public alike. James works closely with eminent archaeologist Tim Strickland MBE as an advisor for film and media production of archaeological and heritage based projects in the North West of England.