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. Now prehistoric base-metal assemblages found after 1st January 2003 also qualify as Treasure. This website provides further information for finders of potential Treasure.

A tray of gold roman coins - aureii - in Coins and medals

A detail from the Frome Hoard excavations

A detail from the gold eagle and fish mount, Staffordshire hoard

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The Staffordshire Hoard symposium papers have been published for all to access and the old website has been archived on our site for reference.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.