Residents across Shropshire and neighbouring counties who have found historic objects are invited to book an appointment with the county’s joint Finds Liaison Officer, Peter Carey, at a series of Finds Days during 2026. Peter will assess their finds and help the finders understand more about what they may have discovered. He will also be able to advise whether objects should be recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme, or if they qualify as potential treasure and need to be legally ‘declared’.
A key part of the role of a Finds Liaison Officer is to identify and record archaeological objects found by the public by chance or through hobbies like metal detecting or fieldwalking, helping turn discoveries into evidence that can deepen our understanding of Shropshire’s past.
Peter Carey, Finds Liaison Officer for Shropshire, examines an archaeological find
Finds of interest are usually more than 300 years old, or of particular historical significance, and may include coins, objects, pottery, stone tools and other man-made items that help tell the story of how people lived, worked and travelled.
Shropshire Museums’ collections already include important items found by members of the public and recorded with support from the Finds Liaison Officer, including a medieval copper alloy dagger guard, coin hoards, a gold mourning ring dating to 1680, and a large collection of buckles, now used as a reference collection.
Accurate information about where objects were found is vital, helping archaeologists understand settlement patterns, trade routes and changes in the landscape over time.
Councillor Alex Wagner, Shropshire Council Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economic Growth, said:
“Shropshire’s Finds Liaison Officers have worked with the public and the Portable Antiquities Scheme for nearly 30 years, helping capture vital information about our shared history. Thanks to finders and the responsible metal detecting community, some remarkable discoveries can now be seen, studied and enjoyed in our museums.”
If you think that you have found a historical object or an item of potential treasure, email [email protected] and book an appointment using the links below.
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery
The Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LH
Saturday 29 August and Saturday 28 November 2026, 11am to 3pm.
https://bookings.cloud.microsoft/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled
Whitchurch Heritage Centre
12 St Mary’s Street, Whitchurch SY13 1QY
Saturday 4 July and Saturday 3 October 2026, 10am to 1pm Click the link to book an appointment
https://outlook.office.com/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled
Ludlow Library and Museum Collection Centre
7–9 Parkway Lane, Ludlow SY8 2PG
Appointments are available on selected Wednesdays for finds recording and treasure cases. To request a booking, email [email protected].
