Recording Finds at Metal-detecting Rallies

Large scale metal-detecting events (rallies) do not provide the ideal circumstances for Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) staff to record finds in the field and can result in the loss of archaeological information and possible damage to archaeology.

FLOs do not have the resources to attend rallies in an official capacity, but may be able to offer advice or guidance on best practice. Therefore, it is the responsibility of rally organisers to facilitate and resource recording finds on to the PAS database.

Therefore, rally organisers should:

• Inform (by email) the relevant local authority HER and FLO well in advance of any such rallies; this could be several months ahead for larger events. Where capacity allows, the FLO may be able to advise on archaeological best practice and potential finds recording systems.
• Employ a suitably qualified archaeologist to advise on best practice, including finds recording, legal aspects relating to finds (such as the reporting of Treasure and processing of export licences) and the archaeological assessment of in-situ finds (such as hoards, human remains, etc.).
• Employ a suitably qualified and experienced finds team on-site to triage finds and identify all items that should be reported as Treasure and/or recorded on the PAS database (PAS provides training for its staff and self-recorders).
• Employ appropriately qualified and experienced finds experts (these could be proficient self-recorders) to record finds on the PAS database after the event. In the case of Treasure or other significant finds, these should normally be submitted to the local FLO for processing, but local processes should be checked as part of rally preparation (see above).

Finders attending such events should ensure they follow the Code of Practice for Responsible Metal-detecting in England and Wales (2017), which includes the recording of finds with the PAS. In line with the Code, precise findspot information is necessary to create a PAS record and ensure these finds add to knowledge.

NOTE: Recording finds properly is very resource-intensive. The information created and compiled by the 'recording team' on-site (in the field) at rallies requires considerable work (in the office) to meet the required data and image standards for online publication on the PAS database (www.finds.org.uk/database). The average day rate for an FLO is about £500, and most FLOs are able to 'fully record' (so on the PAS database back in the office) between 10-20 finds a day.