PAS Policy Statements
Finds databases
The Portable Antiquities Scheme strongly encourages finders to keep records of where they made their finds, and this is consistent with individuals, groups or organisations maintaining their own database/s of finds. However, if you wish the information about your finds to add to our knowledge of the archaeology of England and Wales this can best be done by recording your finds (with the agreement of the landowner/occupier) with the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which has an agreement to transfer its data to Historic Environment Records (as set out in the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales).
Metal-detecting Rallies
For people attending rallies:
The Portable Antiquities Scheme encourages finders to follow the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales at all times, including whilst on metal-detecting rallies. This states that all archaeological finds should be recorded with PAS, with the agreement of the landowner/occupier. Your local Finds Liaison Officer will be happy to record your finds, either at the rally itself, if he or she is present, or subsequently.
For those organising rallies:
The Portable Antiquities Scheme recommends that rally organisers should provide adequate resources for the recording of archaeological finds consistent with the spirit of the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England and Wales. In particular, Finds Liaison Officers should be invited to attend all rallies. Where the Finds Liaison Officer is unable to attend, rally organisers are encouraged to provide maps of the area detected, so that finders can record finds with their local Finds Liaison Officer, with the agreement of the landowner/occupier. Rally organisers should also notify the local archaeological curator/HER of their event and liaise with them.
