I have been asked to pass the following onto the forum
Martin
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Martin Newman
SMR Forum Lst Owner
PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME ANNUAL REPORT 2001-3
On 18 December 2003 the Arts Minister * Estelle Morris * launched the fifth
Portable Antiquities Annual Report at a press photo-shoot at Resource: The
Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries (London). In an impromptu speech
the Minister praised the work of the Scheme and the finders who had recorded
their discoveries with the Scheme's Finds Liaison Officers. She said that
the Portable Antiquities Scheme had been extremely successful and ?long may
it continue. In fact long term funding for the Scheme (after March 2006) is
a decision she will make in next year!
The latest Annual Report shows that in the period 1 October 2001 to 31 March
2003 twelve Finds Liaison Officers recorded a further 49,590 objects. Of
these over 60 per cent have been recovered by metal-detectorists, but a
significant minority was also found by other people not actively seeking to
find archaeological material. The report also shows that over 90 per cent of
the finds recorded have been recovered from cultivated land, where they are
susceptible to plough damage and natural corrosion processes. 70 per cent of
finds are now being recorded to the nearest 100 square metres (a six-figure
National Grid Reference) or better. Further, the report demonstrates that
the presence of a Finds Liaison Officer can increase the reporting rate of
Treasure finds by a factor of between three and five.
Now that the Scheme has been extended across the whole of England and Wales
37 Finds Liaison Officers in total there is an opportunity for all finders
of archaeological objects to contact their local Finds Liaison Officer and
have their finds identified and recorded. David Barwell (Chairman of the
National Council of Metal Detecting) said ?By recording their finds with the
Portable Antiquities Scheme detectorists demonstrate they have a genuine
interest in the past and finders of archaeological objects have a
responsibility to our nation's history to record them.
In launching the report Estelle Morris said that the Scheme is not heavy
handed its about making available finds experts at the point where the
finder looks for advice. The whole nation benefits from these discoveries
generations to come will be able to learn about our past, our countrys past
and about our past as a nation race. The Scheme is a huge success all around
and long may it continue.
An amazing Bronze Age hoard found in Kent and a Roman leopard cup from
Wales, were among many previously unrecorded archaeological discoveries
featured in this years Portable Antiquities Annual Report and shown to
Estelle Morris at the launch event.
All the finds recorded by the Scheme are published on our online database *
www.finds.org.uk * which is an amazing resource for educators, researchers
and anyone with an interest in the past'.Copies of the current Annual Report
can be downloaded from the scheme's website:
www.finds.org.uk/news/annual.asp or by contacting your local Finds Liaison
Officer (see www.finds.org.uk/news/annual.asp or call 0207 323 8618).
Michael Lewis
Deputy Head of Portable Antiquities
Portable Antiquities Scheme
020 7323 8611
Portable Antiquities Scheme Website
www.finds.org.uk
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