Finds Day at Barnstaple Museum

Historically relationships between archaeologists and metal detectorists have ranged from uneasy to downright hostile. Everything changes however, and these days it is not rash to say that understanding has greatly improved and there is more co-operation than opposition. Apart from the passage of time in which metal detecting has ‘bedded in’, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (together with the revised Treasure Act) has greatly contributed to the improvement of relationships.

The aims of the scheme are:
• To advance knowledge of the history and archaeology of England and Wales by systematically recording archaeological objects found by the public.
• To raise awareness among the public of the educational value of archaeological finds in their context and facilitate research in them.
• To increase opportunities for active public involvement in archaeology and strengthen links between metal-detector users and archaeologists.
• To encourage all those who find archaeological objects to make them available for recording and to promote best practice by finders.
• To define the nature and scope of a scheme for recording portable antiquities in the longer term, to access the likely costs and to identify resources to enable it to be put into practice.

This has provided a framework within which metal detector users (and in fact anyone who makes a chance find) can feel that they are making a positive contribution to knowledge as well as satisfying their interest in antiquities.

Regular Finds Days, such as those which now take place at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon on the first Tuesday of every month from 10.00 am till 2.00 pm, and on the occasional Saturday, provide local finders with the opportunity to have their finds examined and identified by experts. The first of these was on Saturday 15th January this year. It was a very successful day on which Nicola Powell, Finds Liaison Officer for Devon, and Brian Read, an acknowledged expert, were kept busy by a stream of visitors queuing up to have their finds examined and identified. NDAS was in attendance represented by Jim Knights who set up a stall and provided a Society contact for anyone seeking information. On 7th May, a further well attended day was held. On these occasions finds were not only identified, but, crucially, recorded so that find-spots can be entered in the County Historic Environment Record. The number and quality of finds presented was astonishing and according to Nicola, North Devon is providing a wealth of new insights. One very interesting development is that the ever elusive Romans are showing more and more of a presence in North Devon with coins and metal objects appearing in certain areas, suggesting a Roman influence in North Devon which went beyond the production of vast quantities of iron.

Not only metal detectorists, but anyone who chances upon something of an antique nature from flints to post-medieval shoe buckles to Bovril jars is encouraged to bring in their finds for identification and recording.