The Portable Antiquities Scheme

The spectacular Byzantine bucket, reported in Newsletter 2, became the basis for Time Team's Live excavations broadcast in August this year. The excavation of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery was the result of liaison between Sally Worrell, Hampshire Finds Liaison officer and the popular Channel 4 archaeology programme.

The bucket was originally reported in 1999 by local detectorist Steve Bolger. Sally recognised immediately that Steve must have recovered the bucket (which was probably used as a rather fancy drinking vessel) from a Saxon cemetery, as these items were simply not 'lost' or discarded in antiquity. It must have belonged to someone very important.

Time Team were therefore called in to conduct an excavation, and confirmed that there was indeed a Saxon cemetery on the site, probably placed on top of a Bronze Age barrow. A number of burials were discovered, many of which were in pairs. The cemetery has an unusually high incidence of high status weapon burials, with the paraphenalia associated with such people, for instance shields and spears. Not only that but seven wood and copper-alloy buckets were discovered, as well as an ornate Frankish brooch (below).

If you would like more information about the excavations and what was found, including an interview with the finder Steve Bolger, please visit the Channel 4 website at www.channel4.com/timeteamlive2001. Also note that Carenza Lewis, a Time Team regular, will be giving a talk in Kent during November.

An Early Bronze Age gold cup, only the second of its kind ever found in Britain, was discovered on 4th November 2001 by Cliff Bradshaw, whilst using a metal detector on ploughed farmland at Ringlemere, Kent. Immediately Mr Bradshaw reported the find to local archaeologists, including the local Finds Liaison Officer based at Kent County Council.

The cup (left) dates to about 1700-1500 BC and is similar to the Rillaton cup, which was found in Cornwall in 1837: now on display in the British Museum. The cup has a conical body tapering to an omphalos base. It has a flared rim and a riveted strap handle, which links the rim and upper body. The rivet plates are lozenge shaped and the handle has decorative ridges parallel with its edges. The rim bears a row of dots punched from the outer surface and is otherwise plain. Between this plain zone and a further plain zone at the base the cup is corrugated. The cup has a maximum height of 112mm (excluding handle) and a maximum width of 105mm. It is thickness at the rim, a little under 1mm, and weights 183.7g.

The cup has been partly crushed, particularly on one side, which, it seems, resulted from a single blow from agricultural machinery. Indeed, without the efforts of Cliff Bradshaw it is seems quite likely that this important discovery would never have been made; in time the cup, if left in the plough-soil, would been destroyed by farming.

Following the discovery, a consortium of archaeologists and museums, including the British Museum, Canterbury Archaeological Trust, Dover Museum, English Heritage, Kent County Council and the Portable Antiquities Scheme, came together to investigate the feasibility of excavation of the findspot, and agree upon a project design. Aerial photographs demonstrated the presence of barrows in the field, although their existence had previously been unrecorded.

Despite the presence of crops the landowners, the Smith family, kindly agreed to allow a geophysical survey, extensive field-walking and a metal detecting survey. This was followed by excavation, during March and April 2002. The Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Dover Archaeological Group excavated  the site under the direction of Keith Parfitt, with the full participation of Mr Bradshaw. The excavation was funded by English Heritage.

The excavation team re-discovered the findspot and the evidence that agricultural machinery had indeed dislodge the cup from its original location. Excavation revealed a barrow with large ditch (picture above) and evidence for a central burial; this, it seems, had been disturbed by later animal habitation. Excavation of the barrow also produced late Neolithic flint tools and pottery, showing that people have been living near the site since at least 2,500 BC.

Excavation of the site has now been completed, and backfilled. The cup is now being held in the British Museum pending a Treasure inquest. It is hoped that the British Museum will acquire the object, and it will go on public display.

An extraordinary find of two gold necklaces, four brooches and two bracelets has been declared treasure at a coroner's inquest in Winchester. The hoard was found by a metal detectorist, Kevan Halls, while searching a field in the Winchester area with the landowner's permission.

Not only is this a spectacular find in its own right, but it is also an excellent example of the value of the Portable Antiquities Scheme. J D Hill of the British Museum says:

'Sally Worrell of the Portable Antiquities Scheme was crucial to the reporting of this find, as she was the one who gained the trust of the finder. As a result, we know exactly where the find came from, which meant we are able to excavate the area and establish the context of the find. This has been a rare opportunity in the past.

Who were the owners?

The owners must have been extremely important individuals, and given that one torc is smaller than the other, it seems likely that they represent a male and female, or possibly an adult and child. They are thought to date to the middle part of the first century BC, around the time that Julius Caesar twice invaded Britain. In order to understand more about the finds and the site where they were discovered, the British Museum conducted a small excavation and survey with the help of Winchester Museums Service and the finder Mr Halls. The survey found no evidence at all for archaeological features - no cemetery, temple, house or village. J D Hill, curator of the Iron Age collections at the British Museum says:

In the past archaeologists often thought that Iron Age objects like these were buried, hidden for safe keeping in times of trouble. But new research suggests the Winchester Hoard was probably a religious offering. I suspect that this was a lavish gift to the gods by two important Britons, perhaps even a king and queen.'

The Portable Antiquities Scheme, which is run by Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, was established to promote the recording of chance archaeological discoveries and to broaden public awareness of the importance of such finds for understanding our past. Since 1997 the scheme's Finds Liaison Officers have recorded many thousands of objects; many of which might otherwise have gone unrecorded.

In May 2000 Resource submitted a bid for a £4 million project to extend the Portable Antiquities Scheme to all parts of England and Wales. Now the bid has been successful the Heritage Lottery Fund will contribute £2,493,000 towards funding the scheme over a period of three years from April 2003. This is to be matched by £1,500,000 from a unique partnership of 63 national and local museums, archaeological bodies and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Chris Batt, Acting Chief Executive of Resource and Chair of the Portable Antiquities Steering Group, said: "It is terrific that the scheme has received this funding as without it thousands of important archaeological discoveries would simply be missed. Resource is proud to be leading the scheme which involves museums and archaeological organisations throughout England and Wales and we are delighted that HLF has supported a project that has such a major impact on public involvement in archaeology."

Arts Minister Baroness Blackstone said: "I am delighted that the HLF has made this award of £2.5 million which, together with other funds, will mean that the scheme can be rolled out across the whole of England and Wales from next year. The Portable Antiquities Scheme fulfils an invaluable role in promoting a greater public understanding of the importance of archaeology. The reporting of 'finds' has proved of immense benefit to both the general public and specialists in extending their understanding of our history.

"As I have stated in the past, the Government will look sympathetically at the need to ensure long-term support for the scheme at an appropriate level in the light of the outcome of the current Spending Review."

Dr Robert Anderson, Director of the British Museum, commented: "The British Museum is thrilled that the Portable Antiquities Scheme is being extended - new sources of evidence are bound to affect our interpretation of the past. We have been supporting this imaginative scheme from the beginning and now we can look forward to working with the other 62 partners in making it comprehensive for England and Wales."

David Miles, Chief Archaeologist at English Heritage, said: "English Heritage strongly supports the Portable Antiquities Scheme which, by bringing to light thousands of objects together with vital information about exactly where they were found, is altering our understanding of our history. The continuation and extension of the scheme will provide more opportunities for co-operation with metal detector users who show an increasing interest in having their finds recorded."

Currently working in the scheme are 14 people: a Co-ordinator, an Outreach Officer and 12 Finds Liaison Officers, who between them cover about half of England and all of Wales. The intention now is to create a further 31 posts with a nation-wide remit. Besides 24 new Finds Liaison Officer posts, the scheme will also have provision for Education, ICT, Administration and Finds Advisor posts.

Since the scheme was established over 100,000 objects have been recorded with its Finds Liaison Officers. Some of these objects have been of national and international importance, but all have contributed to our understanding of the past. Many discoveries have also helped identify new archaeological sites and assisted in building a picture of the archaeological landscape in areas covered by the scheme. The data recorded by the scheme is passed on to the Sites and Monuments Records, for academic and public benefit, and is also published on the scheme's website http://www.finds.org.uk.

The Portable Antiquities Scheme has had substantial success in developing good relationships between archaeologists and metal detector users, promoting good finds recording techniques and best practice. The scheme has offered opportunities for members of the public to learn more about archaeology and become actively involved.

The Finds Liaison Officers also have an important role in the smooth and efficient running of the Treasure Act 1996, helping the Government meet its obligations in both European and international law. Over 90 per cent of Treasure finds have been made by metal detector users. There are significantly higher levels of reporting such objects in the areas currently covered by the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

The hoard was discovered by Kevin Elliot and his cousin Martin whilst metal detecting - Kevin Elliot for the first time. The hoard, which represents about 10 years pay for a Roman legionary soldier, is three times greater than the previous largest find of this type, the so-called 'East of England' hoard found in the late 19th century. The find has also led to the discovery of an important Roman villa on the site.

The Scheme also won the Virgin Holidays Award for the best presented archaeological project. Both awards recognised the crucial role the Scheme has played in improving relations between metal detectorists and archaeologists and encouraging detectorists to report their finds voluntarily.

Dr Roger Bland, co-ordinator of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, received the awards from HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan. Dr Bland commented:

'I am absolutely delighted that the Scheme has received the recognition it deserves. It is a tribute to all involved in the Scheme, especially the finds liaison officers who have worked so hard to record finds and encourage finders to report their objects. It is also an award for the finders - without their co-operation, there wouldn't be a Portable Antiquities Scheme. It is important that the key role the public have played is recognised.'

The second annual Treasure report covering the period 1998-99, which details more than 370 cases, was published in January 2001 and launched by the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith. The report is available on-line at www.culture.gov.uk/heritage, 'historic environment', 'treasure and portable antiquities.'

Wednesday 20 March 2002

Resource has published its Workplan for 2002/03.

Matthew Evans, Resource Chairman, said: "Since April 2000 Resource has worked with the museums, archives and libraries sector to identify and raise awareness of specific needs and issues, and to develop sustainable long-term solutions and opportunities. Research and development, consultation, and the implementation of strategic action plans are at the heart of this, and since our inception we have published a number of planning and framework documents. These documents contain information on a broad range of initiatives spanning the next three years and beyond. To complement them, there is a need to state in more detail what we intend to achieve in the forthcoming year. We have therefore produced the Workplan which details our specific tasks for the financial year 2002/03.

"Resource has a high-level funding agreement with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the tasks in the Workplan reflect the objectives detailed in that funding agreement, as well as our own vision and the commitments already made in the various action plans and strategies detailed above."

The Workplan includes a detailed list of tasks that Resource will be undertaking over the next year in support of its five key objectives for the next three years:

To develop the organisational and funding infrastructure that will support the sector's development, meeting the needs of the English regions, aligned with the priorities of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and in dialogue with the wider international community. To encourage the development of accessible and inclusive collections and services that provide learning, inspiration and enjoyment for everyone. To demonstrate the impact of our sector on society and the economy. To determine the strategic needs and priorities of our sector. To ensure Resource's increasing operational effectiveness.

Chris Batt, Resource's Acting Chief Executive, commented: "The Resource Workplan illustrates the range of important tasks we are working on during the next 12 months. These include the implementation of a sustainable regional framework, with the establishment of museums hubs, as recommended in Renaissance in the Regions, and the strengthening of the Regional Agencies for the museums, archives and libraries sector. We will be establishing regional funding and learning and access support units in all English regions and a framework that enables museums, archives and libraries to provide targeted, socially inclusive services.

"Resource will also ensure that UK Online centres are established in all UK public libraries by the end of 2002, and will be working to secure the long-term sustainability of the People's Network. A model for a national framework for collections management and development will be produced and a report from the Archives Task Force will be published. We will be strengthening our research programme with the establishment of a large-scale, evidence-based research project, and will continue to develop our 10-year forward vision, the 2012 project, to help us determine the long-term strategic needs and priorities of our sector.

"We will be making quarterly reports to the Resource Board on the progress of these and all the other projects detailed in our Workplan. There is a great deal to be achieved, but I am confident that the tasks we have set ourselves reflect the priorities and needs of the sector and are realistic and attainable. These are hugely exciting times for Resource, and for the sector we represent."

The Workplan is available on the Resource website at http://www.resource. gov.uk/information/policy/wrkplan2002_00.asp

The third annual report for the Portable Antiquities Scheme has now been published, and is also available on line at www.culture.gov.uk/heritage, 'historic environment', 'treasure and portable antiquities.'

The Yeovil and District Metal Detecting and Bottle Collecting Club have generously donated £1000 to the County Museum in Taunton. The money was given to help fund a new case to house the recently acquired Shapwick hoard. The money was raised at a rally attended by Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen, the finds liaison officer, and the County Museum's Keeper of Archaeology. Steve Minnitt (Assistant Curator and Keeper of Archaeology) is delighted to receive the donation which has brought the fund up to the total needed for the case. It is hoped that the hoard of over 9,000 Roman silver coins will go on display later this year.