Staffordshire Hoard papers
The Staffordshire Hoard symposium papers have been published for all to access and the old website has been archived on our site for reference. The hoard's records are being added slowly to the database.
Bronze Age Guide
Learn about Bronze Age objects, their form and function. This guide was written by Ben Roberts, Alessia Murgia, Emma Traherne and David Parker
Welcome to the Portable Antiquities Scheme website
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a DCMS funded project to encourage the voluntary recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. Every year many thousands of objects are discovered, many of these by metal-detector users, but also by people whilst out walking, gardening or going about their daily work. Such discoveries offer an important source for understanding our past.
This website provides background information on the Portable Antiquities Scheme, news articles, events listings and access to our database of objects and images.
The Treasure Act
All finders of gold and silver objects, and groups of coins from the same findspot, which are over 300 years old, have a legal obligation to report such items under the Treasure Act 1996. Prehistoric base-metal assemblages found after 1st January 2003 also qualify as Treasure. This website provides further information for finders of potential Treasure.
A medieval boar badge
Boar Badge of Richard III from Chiddingly, Sussex. Featured at number 5 on Britain's Secret Treasures.
Helen Geake with the North West Essex ring
Helen Geake holds the North West Essex gold ring during the filming of Britain's Secret Treasures.
The Hackney Hoard
An interesting Treasure case, with a human touch. The Hackney hoard relates to the sad story of the Sulzbacher family
The magnificent Frome hoard
150 kg of Roman coins were found by detectorist Dave Crisp.
Latest news
- The British Museum and the University of Leicester announce £645K to study Roman hoards found in Britain @ Thursday 1st January 1970
- Exciting new finds highlight the ongoing success of the Treasure Act and Portable Antiquities Scheme @ Monday 3rd December 2012
- Statistical release for treasure (2010 and 2011) and portable antiquities (2011) @ Thursday 25th October 2012
- PAS & MSRG Conference Fully Booked @ Thursday 18th October 2012
- PASt Explorers Re-booted @ Friday 14th September 2012
Britain's Secret Treasures
During July 2012, ITV ran a programme highlighting archaeological objects found by the British public.
You can find out more about the series and the objects featured in our dedicated section for this ground breaking series which has been produced in partnership with the Council for British Archaeology and ITN.
Latest tweets
- On 03.07.13 @ 21:03:04, findsorguk said: The mighty National Geographic write about the Scheme's work:... t.co/cZeElSzeR1
- On 01.24.13 @ 22:01:47, findsorguk said: @BabelStone @portableant One doc minutes of a meeting with consultants, the other an index of valuations for 160 items in Staffs Hoard.
- On 01.07.13 @ 09:01:20, findsorguk said: Happy New Year from all the Scheme. A new addition to the website for avid minute readers: 2008 Treasure... t.co/hGZ3Eozm
Numismatic guides
Learn about each numismatic study area.
- Iron Age
- Roman
- Byzantine
- Greek & Roman Provincial
- Early Medieval
- Medieval
- Post Medieval
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