Portable Antiquities Scheme

Each year, in England and Wales, many thousands of archaeological objects are discovered. People using metal detectors unearth most of these objects, but chance finds are also made by those out walking or digging in their gardens.

In the past little of this material was recorded by museums or archaeologists and a great deal of potentially important information was being lost. In response to this, in 1997 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport initiated Finding Our Past: the Portable Antiquities Scheme (opens in a new window) , a voluntary scheme designed to encourage people to report their finds for recording purposes.

The Portable Antiquities scheme aims to:

• Advance knowledge of the history and archaeology of England and Wales by systematically recording archaeological objects found by the public
• Raise awareness among the public of the educational value of archaeological finds in their context and facilitate research
• Increase opportunities for active public involvement in archaeology and strengthen links between metal detector users and archaeologists
• Encourage all those who find archaeological objects to make them available for recording and to promote best practice by finders
• Define the nature and scope of a scheme for recording portable antiquities in the longer term, to assess the likely costs and to identify resources to enable it to be put into practice

By reporting your finds you will be making an important contribution to knowledge and understanding about the past, both locally and nationally.

This scheme is voluntary. You are not legally obliged to report finds unless there is a possibility that they are treasure. Follow the link at the side of the page to learn more about your responsibilities under the Treasure Act 1996.

• Finds Liaison Officer
  Name: Mrs Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen
  Email: c.h.trevarthen@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 228254
  Fax: 01305 224835
  Full details for Mrs Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen