Every year, all over the country, members of the public discover thousands of archaeological artefacts ranging from prehistoric axeheads to medieval coinage when digging their garden, out hiking or walking the dog, and often by searching with metal-detectors.

What is the Portable Antiquities Scheme?

The scheme was formed in 1997 and provides a service that allows members of the public to have their finds identified and archaeologically recorded.

The heart of the Portable Antiquities Scheme is its network of Finds Liaison Officers (FLO's) who promote the Scheme, and identify and record reported finds on an online database. This is the largest database of its type anywhere in the world; in 2007, over 76,000 objects were recorded nationally.

Northamptonshire Portable Antiquities Scheme

The Northamptonshire Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is part of the successful national scheme and was established in February 1999.

It aims to promote the recording of finds of ancient objects found in the county, as well as increasing public awareness of the importance of these finds for understanding our past.

Since 1999, Northamptonshire people have recorded over 7,000 objects, found right across the county.

The Northamptonshire PAS is managed by a partnership of all local authorities in Northamptonshire, namely:

• Corby Borough Council
• Daventry District Council
• East Northamptonshire Council
• Kettering Borough Council
• Northampton Borough Council
• Northamptonshire County Council
• South Northamptonshire Council
• Borough Council of Wellingborough

Do I have to record a find?

Recording finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme is entirely voluntary, although finders of Treasure have a legal obligation to report such finds to the coroner within 14 days.

What counts as treasure?

Treasure includes all objects that are over 300 years old that have a precious metal content of 10% or more. Collections of two or more prehistoric metal objects from the same find spot constitute hoards, and also class as treasure, as do collections of two or more gold/silver coins, or ten or more base metal coins from the same findspot.

If you have a find that you think might be treasure, please contact the Northamptonshire FLO.

• FLO@northamptonshire.gov.uk

How do I record my find?

The Northamptonshire FLO will be happy to identify and record any of your archaeological finds, whether they were found in Northamptonshire or elsewhere in the country.

The FLO will normally prefer to take the find in for examination and detailed recording, for which you will receive a receipt. However, it is also possible to record finds on the spot, providing conditions are appropriate for photography, weighing, and measuring.

You can meet the Northamptonshire FLO and bring your finds to surgeries held around the county. Details of surgeries are advertised in local museums and heritage centres.

• Finds surgeries Jan - March 2010 (Word format 496KB)

Further information

The Northamptonshire Finds Liaison Officer is happy to give advice on what type of artefacts are Treasure and what to do if you find any.

• Advice for finders of archaeological treasure (PDF format 79KB)
  An explanation of how the treasure system works and basic information on recording non-treasure finds.
  
  
• Conservation advice notes (PDF format 603KB)
  Help and guidance on: looking after ancient metal objects from preservation to recording details of the find; how to clean, package, store, and display the objects safely.
  
  
• Responsible metal detecting (PDF format 476KB)
  Advice and guidance on what to do before, during, and after you go metal-detecting.

For further information and to look at some of the finds that have been recorded visit the Portable Antiquities Scheme website.