Identifications
If you think you have found an archaeological object, and would like it identified and recorded, you can bring it to the museum. If a member of the collections team is not available, you may be asked to leave your object, and will be given a receipt. If the object is over 300 years old, and significant, we may ask if we can record the details for the national Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), so knowing where you found it is important.
Identifications can take up to three months. We are not able to give valuations.
Treasure
If you think
you have found something that might be treasure, you are legally required to report it.
Treasure items must be at least 300 years old and either made of gold or silver, be more than one coin, or be a hoard of prehistoric base metal items. The Finds Liaison Officer is funded by the British Museum and is able to help with the reporting of treasure items. If you are not sure, we can advise on if an object is potential Treasure.
Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS)
The PAS is a voluntary national scheme to enable the identification and recording of archaeological finds over 300 years old. Most records come from metal detectorists but the scheme welcomes information from anyone.
Finders are asked to disclose the location of their discovery, but this is kept confidential, in return we aim to provide detailed identifications, to help build up a picture of the archaeology of the county.
For more information please see this page
Find out more about PAS (opens in a new window)
Historical Environment Records
The County Council maintains a record of all the archaeological and historic environment discoveries in the County enabling it to advise local authority planning officers and private developers on the sensitivity of sites. This is available for public access through the county council.