The Portable Antiquities Scheme

The Portable Antiquities Scheme The Portable Antiquities Scheme, run by The British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru in Wales, encourages the recording of archaeological objects discovered by members of the public.
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Over 1.5 million finds have been recorded on our database so far! This page is an open forum where anyone is welcome to contribute. Discussion is encouraged, but please follow the rules of our page: 1). Do not discuss Treasure cases on this page. Comments containing details of specific Treasure cases will be removed. If you have questions about your Treasure case please email [email protected] to discuss it instead. 2). Any offensive, defamatory, obscene or harassing comments or personal attacks of any kind will be removed. 3). Spamming, repeat submissions of the same (or very similar) contributions or content that is off-topic may also be removed. 4). Be supportive and kind. We're all here because we are passionate about history, archaeology and archaeological finds. So let's be positive and friendly!

Mission: Record archaeological objects found by the public in England and Wales

Operating as usual

We'd like to wish all of our followers a Merry Christmas! Thank you for all of your support during this difficult year. ...
25/12/2020

We'd like to wish all of our followers a Merry Christmas! Thank you for all of your support during this difficult year. We've worked hard to adapt to changing circumstances and we really appreciate everyone's understanding and patience during this process. We'd also like to thank all of our Finds Liaison Officers, Finds Advisers, volunteers and self-recorders, as well as the Treasure Team at the British Museum and all of our local partners for all their hard work keeping everything going this year. We hope everyone manages to have a good break over Christmas. Stay safe and healthy, and here's to a better 2021!
Best wishes from the Portable Antiquities Scheme Team 🎄

We have a special bonus edition of the PAStCast podcast this week. Hosts Lucy and Ben are joined by Head of the Portabl...
23/12/2020

We have a special bonus edition of the PAStCast podcast this week. Hosts Lucy and Ben are joined by Head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and Treasure, Professor Michael Lewis. To listen, find us on Spotify, iTunes, Google Podcasts or use the TuneIn link below: https://tunein.com/podcasts/History-Podcasts/PAStCast-p1387384/

Merry Christmas!

17/12/2020
Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society

Check out this video from Leicestershire Archaeological & Historical Society. Phil is a metal detectorist and one of our brilliant self-recorders. In this video he talks about his experiences detecting in Leicestershire and recording his finds with The Portable Antiquities Scheme. Well worth a listen!

'Metal Detecting in Leicestershire: questions from the past'. A Society lecture by metal detectorist and Portable Antiquities Scheme self-recorder Phil Harding.

PAStCast episode 3 is available today! This week, Ben and Lucy are joined by Ellie, FLO for Northamptonshire. Find us on...
15/12/2020

PAStCast episode 3 is available today! This week, Ben and Lucy are joined by Ellie, FLO for Northamptonshire. Find us on Spotify, TuneIn, Soundcloud, iTunes and Google Podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe!

https://soundcloud.com/user-317950822

Did you know that we have produced a range of guides to help you identify and record your finds? There are over 90 to ch...
15/12/2020

Did you know that we have produced a range of guides to help you identify and record your finds? There are over 90 to choose from and they include helpful "How To" guides, as well as object-specific guides. Check them out at: www.finds.org.uk/counties/findsrecordingguides and start exploring!

Are you new to the Portable Antiquities Scheme? Not sure what the database is and what information you can find on it? T...
03/12/2020
Introduction to the PAS database

Are you new to the Portable Antiquities Scheme? Not sure what the database is and what information you can find on it? Then check out our short video. With over 1.5 million objects recorded on the database, there is plenty to discover!

This short video is an introduction to the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. The database is home to over 1.5 million digital records of archaeological o...

The Portable Antiquities Scheme's cover photo
03/12/2020

The Portable Antiquities Scheme's cover photo

🚨We're hiring!🚨 We are seeking a Finds Liaison Officer to deliver the Portable Antiquities Scheme on the Isle of Wight. ...
03/12/2020

🚨We're hiring!🚨 We are seeking a Finds Liaison Officer to deliver the Portable Antiquities Scheme on the Isle of Wight. The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a voluntary scheme to record artefacts found by the public, including metal detector users, to advance our understanding of the past and increase opportunities for active public involvement in archaeology.

This is a part time (27 hours per week) fixed term appointment funded by the British Museum, and continuation will be subject to the renewal of funding from April 2021. Salary range: ÂŁ17,746-ÂŁ19,732.

The successful candidate will have specialist knowledge of finds recording, and ICT skills including use of databases and digital photography. They will have the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and groups to explain the aims of the scheme and the Treasure Act.

The post holder will be based with the Isle of Wight Council’s Archaeology & Historic Environment Service in Ryde but will spend part of the week at the Guildhall Museum in Newport.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Rebecca Loader on 01983 823810. For the full application pack and to apply for the job, please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/jobvacancies/job_details.aspx?jobId=3072

On this day: Australia Day is the official National Day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the an...
26/01/2017
Record ID: SUR-501CA9 - POST MEDIEVAL token

On this day: Australia Day is the official National Day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales. You'd think that the PAS would have no links to Australia well..... SUR-501CA9 is an example of a token minted by the Royal Mint and issued by George III in 1797, these would have found their way to the colonies in the pockets of immigrants, or adventurers. They were absorbed into the economy due to the lack of coinage there at the time. Found in Guildford, Surrey.
https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/807799

A Post Medieval copper-alloy advertising token issued by Lloyds Weekly Newspaper. A copper one penny surcharged token, minted by the Royal Mint, London, circa 1797. Issued by King George III. It was surcharged by Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper,

OXFORD ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTUREANNI BYARD & HELENA HAMEROWA Furnished 7th-century Female Burial near...
06/01/2017

OXFORD ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY LECTURE

ANNI BYARD & HELENA HAMEROW

A Furnished 7th-century Female Burial near the King Stone, Rollright: Gender and Authority in Conversion Period England

Tuesday 10 January 2017 at 5.30pm
Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford (Sadler Room)

Museum of Liverpool
12/09/2016

Museum of Liverpool

Have you ever wondered what our archaeology volunteers do all day? We are celebrating the contribution of volunteers to The Portable Antiquities Scheme at this year's PASt Explorers conference, which is at Merseyside Maritime Museum on Thursday 29 September.
Find out more on the blog - and don't forget to book your free conference ticket!
http://blog.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/2016/09/celebrating-our-archaeology-volunteers/

06/09/2016

The PASt Explorers Conference 2016: What Do People Do All Day: The Busy World of Volunteers is now open for bookings.

This year’s conference celebrates the contribution of volunteers to the PAS through the project. Through PASt Explorers, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), more people are now volunteering with the PAS, undertaking finds-related work, and helping to share knowledge about archaeological finds.

This conference aims to illustrate the diverse nature of the volunteer experience within the PAS and provide the opportunity for volunteers to share these with others, providing inspiration and new perspectives on the contribution to archaeological knowledge and to the history of England and Wales.

The conference will take place on Thursday 29th September 2016, 10.00–16.30 at the Event Space and Lecture Theatre, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool, L3 4AQ

Admission is free but advance booking is required.

To book go to: https://past-explorers-2016.eventbrite.co.uk or call 0207 323 8618.

26/05/2016
Search Engine: Assistant Finds Advisor and Treasure Curator for Roman Coins

The British Museum are recruiting for a fixed term Assistant Finds Advisor & Treasure Curator for Roman Coins to record Iron Age and Roman coins onto the PAS database. Application deadline: 7th June 2016
https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=amNvZGU9MTU1NzQ3MCZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT02NzImb3duZXI9NTAyNzczNSZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZicmFuZF9pZD0wJnJlcXNpZz0xNDY0MjUxMTg4LWVkZWY1MzgyYjc2NGUzNDRhNGU2YmEyZWMxMDA4YWJiYTY0YmEzNmM=

Search Engine: Assistant Finds Advisor and Treasure Curator for Roman Coins

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is seeking a Finds Recording Assistant to work with our National Finds Adviser, John Nayl...
04/05/2016
University Of Oxford Site

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is seeking a Finds Recording Assistant to work with our National Finds Adviser, John Naylor, and our Oxfordshire FLO, Anni Byard, on an exciting new research project: 'Iron-Age to post-Roman Landscape on the Berkshire Downs'. The deadline for applications is Monday 16th May and the post is available part-time (50%) for two years.

Search for vacancy 119337 at https://www.recruit.ox.ac.uk

04/04/2016
www.cimuseums.org.uk

Our Essex Finds Liaison Officer is seeking a new volunteer finds recorder to be based at Colchester Museum Resource Centre. The deadline for expressing interest in volunteering is next Monday, 11th April and more information about the role can be found on the Colchester + Ipswich Museums website here: http://www.cimuseums.org.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=20895&p=0

St Albans Museums
29/03/2016

St Albans Museums

Julian Watters, our Finds Liaison Officer at Verulamium Museum is moving on after 13 years to take on a different role in Bedfordshire. Julian's job is to record archaeological finds discovered by members of the public as part of the The Portable Antiquities Scheme.

He has been kept very busy, working across both Herts and Beds and building good relationships with metal detectorists, land owners and English Heritage. Julian was also involved in the dig and reporting of the Sandridge Roman Gold Coin Hoard, which is now on display at Verulamium Museum.

You can check out 4 of his favourite discoveries here: bit.ly/1UamNHM
We wish him all the very best - he will be missed.

A Life In Fragments - Archaeology PhD Blog
29/03/2016
A Life In Fragments - Archaeology PhD Blog

A Life In Fragments - Archaeology PhD Blog

Recently I got the chance to study one of the few Ewart Park hoards in South West England held Dorset County Museum. Lots of interesting things going on with this hoard reported through The Portable Antiquities Scheme. Check out my thoughts on the use and breakage.

08/03/2016
Finds Liaison Officer Sussex

Another chance to join the Portable Antiquities Scheme as the Finds Liaison Officer for Sussex, based at Barbican House in Lewes. For more information see the PAS vacancies webpage: https://finds.org.uk/about/vacancies/vacancy/id/155
Application deadline: 21st March 2016

Finds Liaison Officer, East and West SussexOverview The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a national scheme led by the British Museum to rec…

Address

The British Museum, Great Russell Street
London
WC1B 3DG

Russell Square or Holborn Underground stations, then a short walk to the British Museum.

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

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+44 (0) 207 323 8611

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Videos

Counting coins from the Frome hoard (a couple of years old - Moorhead and Abdy).

Bronze Age Axetastic
Bronze Age Axetastic

Bronze Age hoard excavation in SW Wiltshire, UK

Public finds on display
Public finds on display

The Treasure team have produced this short video about the Scheme's new case displaying public finds in room 2 British Museum

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Nearby museums

Other London museums

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