Archaeological Finds Day Strikes Gold!

Interested members of the public gathered with their mystery finds at Winchester's Historic Resources Centre at a Finds Day which formed part of Museums and Galleries Month. Curators and finds specialists were on hand to identify the intriguing objects people had found whilst gardening, walking or metal-detecting.

The event was very well supported and a variety of interesting objects was brought along, from Stone Age axes hundreds of thousands of years old to artefacts relating to the World Wars. Pottery fragments from the Roman and medieval periods were amongst the finds which will shed light on the past of Hampshire. The star find was a 14th-century gold medieval finger-ring with a gem still in its mount. The finder had literally 'struck gold' with this local discovery, and this very significant piece was officially classified as 'Treasure' and duly reported to the coroner in accordance with the Treasure Act (1996).

All qualifying finds will be recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database at www.finds.org.uk and will thus help build up a picture of life in Hampshire in the past. Rob Webley, the Hampshire Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer based at the Historic Resouces Centre, said:

"Each year many thousands of archaeological objects, or 'portable antiquities', are found by members of the public. They form an important source of information about our local and national past, so it's great that people are bringing them forward for recording at events such as this."

Cllr Patricia Stallard, Winchester City Council's portfolio holder for culture, heritage and sport, welcomed the continuing collaboration between Winchester Museums and the Portable Antiquities Scheme which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund:

"This is an excellent example of the Winchester Museums working in partnership to serve the local community and preserve our heritage."

Winchester Museums offer a free object identification service, and members of the public are warmly invited to make an appointment at the Historic Resources Centre to see a finds specialist. Rob Webley will also be conducting a number of Finds Days around the county in July - keep your eyes out for details in your local press.

The Historic Resources Centre is at 75 Hyde Street and appointments can be made on tel 01962 848 269 or email museums@winchester.gov.uk