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The Story of the Portable Antiquities Scheme so far…
The Portable Antiquities pilot scheme was created to compliment
the Treasure Act 1996 by recording non-treasure finds. The Treasure
Act (1996) came into force on 24th September, 1997, replacing the
medieval Treasure Trove law.
Generally, the objects that need to be reported under the Treasure
Act (1996) include:
i) Any object other than coins, which was made of at least 10 percent
of gold or silver and at least 300 years old when found.
ii) For coins, two or more, from the same find, made of at least
10 percent of gold or silver and at least 300 years old when found.
iii) Ten or more bronze coins from the same find at least 300 years
old when found.
iv) Associated objects; any object, made of any material that is
found in the same place or considered to be with another object
that is treasure.
v) Objects that would have been Treasure Trove - these objects have
to be composed of a substantial amount of gold or silver and have
been buried with the intention of recovery.
vi) Also recently included in the definition of Treasure
is two or more pieces of prehistoric metalwork from the same find
need to be reported.
The Finds Liaison Officer would also be happy to record any material
which is not covered by the Treasure Act (1996).
Initially the Portable Antiquities Scheme had six pilot schemes
throughout England from September 1997, including the West Midlands
post which covered North Warwickshire, South Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent,
North Worcestershire and Worcester, and West Midlands County. This
post was based at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Due to the success of the first six pilot schemes in increasing
the number of finds being recorded and building bridges between
the metal detecting and archaeological communities, a further five
pilot schemes, a co-ordinator for Wales, and an Outreach Officer
started in February, 1999. These schemes were funded by the Heritage
Lottery Fund.
After numerous attempts to get funding for a national scheme of
Finds Liaison Officers covering the whole of England and Wales,
the Portable Antiquities Scheme was successful in their bid to the
Heritage Lottery Fund. The national scheme started on 1st April,
2003 for three years.
For Worcestershire the Finds Liaison Officer is based at the
Commandery, Worcester...
Contact
Angie Bolton
The Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester WR1 2HU
Telephone 01905 361827
E-mail abolton@cityofworcester.gov.uk
Links to related websites
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Aims & Objectives
