Every year hundreds of thousands of archaeological objects are discovered in Britain, mostly by people using metal detectors but also by people out walking or digging in their gardens or whilst going about their work. Yet only a small proportion of these finds are ever seen by museums or field archaeologists.
Our Finds Liaison Officer, Peter Reavill, would be most grateful if people would come forward with their finds to enable us to record these clues to Shropshire's distant past. Bringing your finds in for recording will not mean that they will be taken away from you. We will borrow them for a few weeks, record them and return them to you. We aim to complete all identifications within 4 to 8 weeks. However, due to the current demand on the scheme some identifications are taking longer than usual. To arrange an identification please contact Peter (email peter.reavill@shropshire.gov.uk, telephone 01584 813 641).
Finding something from the distant past can be exciting but the real thrill comes from knowing how it was made and used all those years ago. We will help you discover the importance of your find to our understanding of history and give you advice on how to clean and store your finds. We also offer advice and assistance relating to the Treasure Act which covers items made of precious metal and groups of coins.
The portable antiquities scheme
In 1996 the Department for Culture, Media & Sport launched a series of pilot projects across England & Wales to encourage the recording of archaeological finds. This scheme aims to establish links between finders and professional archaeologists and to promote high standards in the recording of finds thereby creating a detailed database of information for all interested parties to use. Further details about the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the finds recorded so far can be found on the projects website.
Exciting finds
In 2004 a person using a metal detector in South Shropshire discovered a censer (church incense burner) cover. The cover is made of bronze and is pieced with holes which would have allowed the sweet smelling smoke to escape. It is around 800 years old and is one of only a few discovered in Britain as many were destroyed during the Reformation.