The Portable Antiquities Scheme is a national programme which assists with the recording of finds discovered by members of the public.  The scheme aims to help finders have their objects identified and recorded, as well as providing specialist advice on conservation and storage.  The finds are recorded centrally on a national database, which can be accessed over the Internet. 

Archaeological finds are more common than you might think. Anything can be found by anybody – while gardening, building an extension, walking the dog, on the beach, or while using a metal-detector.  The Portable Antiquities Scheme adds another piece to the jigsaw puzzle of the past. It does not record finds made during routine archaeological investigations, as these are recorded directly on the Historic Environment Record.

Cambridgeshire Archaeology employs a Finds Liaison Officer, who also works at Peterborough Museum.  Finds can be brought for identification at any of the following:

• finds identification events at local museums (see events leaflet for details);
• other selected Cambridgeshire Archaeology events (see leaflet for details); or 
• by prior appointment with the Finds Liaison Officer, at the Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Record or at Peterborough Museum on Wednesdays.

Some of the objects that are brought to us fall within the Treasure Act, which provides museums with the opportunity to acquire finds made of gold or silver, or hoards of coins or prehistoric tools. East Anglia has more Treasure Act finds than any other part of the country, and we can provide advice on the process.

The network of independent museums in the county covers a wide range of objects from all periods.  These museums may be interested in 'non-archaeological' objects.  Their details can be found on the Contacts for Finds Identification download.

The Portable Antiquities Scheme operates in partnership with the British Museum and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.