Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure
The Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure
co-ordinates the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), a voluntary
initiative to record archaeological objects found by members of the
public in England and Wales.
Since March 2007 the department has also been responsible for
administering the Treasure Act 1996 on behalf of the UK
Government.
Every year thousands
of objects are discovered by metal-detector users, fieldwalkers,
people out walking, gardening or just going about their daily work.
Such discoveries offer an important source for understanding our
past. The PAS was established to promote the recording of these
finds and to broaden public awareness of the importance of these
objects.
The Scheme is administered by a network of Finds Liaison
Officers (FLOs) based in museums and archaeology services
throughout the country. The FLOs record finds, give advice on finds
recording, conservation and the Treasure Act. They also encourage
members of the public, metal detector users, archaeologists and
museums to work together to preserve and learn from the past
through holding finds days and other outreach events.
A stable future for treasures from the
past is at the heart of Portable Antiquities Scheme review
The MLA has commissioned a review of the Portable Antiquities
Scheme. The scheme was established in 1997 to encourage the
voluntary recording of archaeological objects found by the public
in England and Wales.
The aim of the review will be to ensure the scheme is as
effective as possible and look at:
* Objectives of the scheme in the light of changes in regional
museum provision
* Options for levels of activity and funding
* How the scheme can be delivered in the future in the most
cost-efficient manner
* How the scheme can be funded and managed in the future in a
sustainable way
A steering group with representatives from MLA, BM and DCMS will
oversee the review. Kate Clark an experienced heritage consultant
has been commissioned to undertake the review. The Review has been
asked to identify options and recommendations by September
2008.