What if I find something that might be of archaeological interest?

Worcestershire is a county rich in archaeological finds from prehistoric stone axes to the remains of World War II defences.  The value of a find is not necessarily whether it is of gold or silver - but the story that it can help tell of the way that the county has developed.  A small piece of pottery, broken clay pipe or squashed lead object can be just as interesting as a gold coin!

But a find can only begin to tell this story if it is properly recorded.  Any find that you think might be of archaeological interest should therefore be reported to the County Sites and Monuments Record (Historic Environment Record). Staff will help identify finds.  They can then be added to the database, mapped and interpreted.

You can report finds in a number of ways

• directly to the Historic Environment Record at the Archaeology Service
• via Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury
• via the Portable Antiquities Officer of the Portable Antiquities Scheme
• The Service periodically organise 'Finds Identification Surgeries', usually as part of  exhibitions in partnership with local groups, where you can bring along recent discoveries for experts to try to identify.

There is a legal responsibility to report some classes of finds through the Treasure Act

The Treasure Act

All finders of

• gold and silver objects
• groups of coins from the same finds, over 300 years old
• Prehistoric base metal  assemblages found after 1st January 2003

have a legal obligation to report such items under the Treasure Act 1996 (as amended)

Treasure Act Summary

What is the definition of Treasure?

Coins

All coins from the same find (two or more) provided they are at least 300 years old when found. If they contain less than 10% gold or silver there must be at least 10 of them.

Objects

All prehistoric base-metal objects from the same find (two or more).
All finds (one or more) at least 300 years old and containing 10% or more gold or silver. Associated finds: any object, whatever it is made of, found in the same place as (or had previously been together with) another object that is treasure.

What should I do if I find something that may be Treasure?

You must report all finds of Treasure to a coroner for the district in which they are found either within 14 days after the day on which you made the discovery or within 14 days after the day on which you realised the find might be treasure.

Worcestershire Historic Environment Service and the County Museum can give information, advice and guidance on the Act, and in identifying any finds that may come under the terms of the Act. They can also assist in reporting potential Treasure to the coroner.

Where to Look

Many finds are simply made in people's back gardens.  When you are gardening, just  look out for pieces of broken pottery, clay pipe etc.

If looking for finds elsewhere then please follow the follow guidelines

• Always get the permission of the landowner and tenant before entering any land
• Do not collect finds from Scheduled Ancient Monuments (this is illegal)
• seek professional help if you discover something large, unusual or below the ploughsoil.
• Only use a metal detector on ploughed soil (which has already been disturbed) and do not go below the plough soil. Further advice on metal detecting can be found here.
• Check with the Historic Environment Record before going out on site to establish the status of the site and if anyone else is working on a project there.
• Record the find spot in as much detail as possible (the Historic Environment and Archaeology Service will be able to advise on this)
• Always report your finds

Remember, often the most important finds are those that, at first sight, look the most boring!!!

Help

Local Archaeological Societies frequently  organise fieldwalking and other activities.  This is a good way to start and means that you can take part in a researched archaeological project.  

If you find pottery then have a go at identifying it yourself, using the Worcestershire on-line ceramic database (in the course of construction and expansion).