Treasure Act Annual Report 2011 Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 12 to the Treasure Act 1996 December 2013 i ii Treasure Act Annual Report 2011 Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 12 to the Treasure Act 1996 December 2013 i © Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2013 Edited by E Traherne, I Richardson, M Lewis Published by the Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory, British Museum ii Contents Minister’s foreword v Introduction vii Treasure cases 2011 viii Table of Treasure cases 2011 xv Update on 2010 Treasure cases lvii iii iv Minister’s foreword I am glad to introduce the Treasure Act Annual Report 2011, which provides a report on the operation of the Treasure Act 1996 during the calendar year 2011. The Treasure Act 1996 is an enduring and thriving success, ensuring that museums are able to acquire the most significant archaeological discoveries for the benefit of all. 2011 saw a record number of potential Treasure finds reported in England and Wales (969), representing a 12.8% increase over the number reported in the previous year. Of these items, 345 have been (or are to be) acquired by museums. Many museum acquisitions have been made possible only through the kind assistance of funding bodies, particularly the Art Fund, Headley Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund and the V&A Purchase Grant Fund. We should be thankful to these organisations for their recognition of the importance of archaeological finds and their support of museums’ efforts to acquire them. I am also impressed with local fundraising campaigns, and it is heartening to see so many individuals and organisations in local communities supporting the acquisition of Treasure items and investing in their heritage. It is especially satisfying that the number of interested parties waiving their right to a reward for Treasure finds remains high, with individuals waiving their share in 99 cases. These donations have allowed 49 museums to acquire finds that may otherwise have not been available for the public to study and enjoy. There are many bodies and people who deserve praise for the continued success of the Treasure Act, in particular the Portable Antiquities Scheme and its local network of Finds Liaison Officers (FLOs), to whom most finds of Treasure are reported. The FLOs role is vital in disseminating information about the Act and archaeological best practice to finders of treasure and landowners. They are also indispensable in facilitating the administration of Treasure cases and providing the logistical means for the Act to function. Together with curators, scientists and conservators at the British Museum and National Museum Wales, they also provide expert reports on Treasure finds for Coroners, who, along with their staff, are also owed thanks for their diligence in holding Treasure inquests. The Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure at the British Museum (now part of the Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory) supports Coroners in England and serves as the secretariat for the Treasure Valuation Committee and I am grateful for their continued excellent work. In order to ensure the long-term success of the Act, and that it reflects current practice and works as efficiently as possible, the Government will soon begin a Review of the Treasure Act Code of Practice. This will also consider the definition of Treasure, and whether that should be revised. I would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Treasure Valuation Committee, chaired by Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn, which considered over 320 treasure cases during 2011. I am thankful for the services of all of the Committee members, who voluntarily provide their time and expertise. Ed Vaizey Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries December 2013 v vi Introduction Under the Treasure Act 1996, finders have a legal obligation to report all finds of potential Treasure. For a summary see finds.org.uk/treasure or the leaflet Advice for Finders of Archaeological Objects, Including Treasure. The Act allows a national or local museum to acquire Treasure finds for public benefit. If this happens, a reward is paid, which is (normally) shared equally between the finder and landowner, though the interested parties may wish to waive their rights to a reward, enabling museums to acquire such finds at no or reduced cost. Rewards are fixed at the full market value of the find, determined by the Secretary of State on the advice of an independent panel of experts known as the Treasure Valuation Committee. Although Treasure finds account for a relatively small proportion of archaeological finds found in England and Wales by the public, finders are encouraged to record all archaeological with the Portable Antiquities Scheme: this data is published online at finds.org.uk. The Scheme and its network of local archaeologists – experts in recording small finds, known as Finds Liaison Officers – play an increasingly important role in the operation of the Treasure Act, advising finders of their legal obligations, providing advice on the process and writing reports on potential Treasure finds for local coroners. Organisation The administration of the Treasure Act is undertaken by the Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory (formerly the Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure) at the British Museum, which employs a Treasure Registrar and four Assistant Treasure Registrars, one of whom is part-time. This work involves the preparation of Treasure cases for inquest (at a Coroner’s Court), the handling of disclaimed cases, the secretariat of the Treasure Valuation Committee, and the payment of rewards to finders/landowners. Treasure Valuation Committee The Committee’s terms of reference are detailed in the Treasure Act 1996 Code of Practice. In short, it is tasked to recommend to the Secretary of State the value of Treasure finds, to recommend abatements of rewards in the case of misbehaviour on the part of the interested parties, and to recommend an apportionment of the reward when there is a disagreement among the parties. The Committee is made up of independent experts appointed for their knowledge of the antiquities trade; its membership also includes someone to represent the interests of finders, a museums’ representative, and an expert in cultural property law. Membership of the Committee at the time of publication consisted of: Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn (Chairman), Prof Ian Carradice, Dr Tim Pestell, Mr John Cherry, Ms Hetty Gleave, Mr Peter Clayton and Dr David Dykes. More information on the Treasure Valuation Committee, as well as electronic versions of the minutes of the meetings of the Committee, can be found online at finds.org.uk/treasure Treasure Annual Reports Copies of previous reports can be found at finds.org.uk/news vii Treasure cases 2011 Number of Treasure cases and geographic distribution The number of Treasure cases reported in 2011 was 969 (Table A), an increase of 12.8% on 2010. This is a 386% increase on the first full year of the Act (1998). Table A: Number of Treasure cases reported 1988–2012 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Year No. of Treasure cases 1988 19 1989 23 1990 22 1991 16 1992 34 1993 37 1994 36 1995 20 1996 24 1997 79 1998 201 1999 236 2000 233 2001 214 2002 240 2003 427 2004 506 2005 595 2006 673 2007 747 2008 806 2009 778 2010 860 2011 969 2012 990 The high level of the reporting of Treasure reflects a wider understanding on the part of finders of their obligations under the Treasure Act, through the education and outreach work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and its Finds Liaison Officers. viii Table B illustrates the geographic distribution of Treasure finds. This shows that in 2011 reporting of Treasure in England continued to be heaviest along the eastern half of the country, with Essex being the area where the largest number of cases were reported (91). This was followed by the other counties of East Anglia, Norfolk (80 cases) and Suffolk (76). Further north, Lincolnshire – not counting the North and East parts of that county – accounted for 74 finds and North Yorkshire for 50 finds. The south-east and south-central portions of the country retained steady levels of reporting, where Wiltshire saw 41 finds handed in, followed by Kent (39), the Isle of Wight (33) and Hampshire (29). This broadly reflects the pattern of cases reported since 1997. Several areas showed remarkable spikes in the number of finds reported. Gloucestershire increased from 5 cases in 2010 to 14 in 2011, while Buckinghamshire also saw an increase from 12 to 23 cases. Interestingly, the number of finds reported from Greater London jumped by 100% from 11 to 22. The number of Treasure cases reported from Wales (28) was a record amount. This year also saw the first find reported from Denbighshire in five years, and a doubling in the amount of treasure cases from Monmouthshire, from 3 to 6. The overall number remains significantly less than the number of finds reported from England (941). Northern Ireland had no finds of Treasure reported in 2011. Wales has a single full-time Portable Antiquities Scheme post (though finds-recording work is also undertaken by the Welsh Archaeological Trusts) and Northern Ireland is not covered by the Scheme. ix Table B: Summary of all Treasure cases 1997–2011 by geographic area (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). 997 (1) 1 1997 (2) 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Total Unknown 1 3 2 2 2 2 2 14 Bath and North East Somerset