Heritage for the Nation.
Information For Archaeologists
Finds recovered through archaeological fieldwork are considered bona vacantia and must be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit (TTU) to be made available for museum allocation through the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP).
Assemblages are declared to TTU once post-excavation work has been completed and the entire assemblage is ready for museum transfer. However, where large or unusual finds assemblages are encountered, excavators are encouraged to contact TTU at the earliest opportunity to discuss issues of conservation, selection and retention strategies, and potential issues to be faced by an acquiring museum.
Excavation assemblages should not be physically submitted to TTU but continue to be securely stored by the excavator until after the SAFAP allocation process has been completed. If an assemblage is allocated to a museum, the excavator will be informed of the decision and delivery/collection should be arranged between the recipient museum and excavator. If no museum wishes to acquire the assemblage, it will be disclaimed as the property of the Crown and can be dealt with as the excavator feels appropriate.
The Treasure Trove Scotland: Code of Practice contains further information on the reporting of finds from archaeological fieldwork.
Those preparing archives should adhere to the guidance set out in Scotland’s Strategic Archaeology Strategy’s ‘Before the Museum’ project’s ‘Guidance on the Transfer of Archaeological Assemblages in Scotland from Developer Funded Projects’ and ‘Minimum Standards for the Preparation of Archaeological Assemblages in Scotland’.
Treasure Trove Scotland and OASIS
OASIS (https://oasis.ac.uk/) is now the preferred method of reporting archaeological project archives to TTU, as it improves data security, avoids duplication of files, and ensures that information on museum allocation is better integrated with the other elements of a project’s workflow. A guidance document on using OASIS to report assemblages to TTU is available to download below. Please contact TTU at treasuretrove@nms.ac.uk with any questions about this process.
If you have project archives to report but do not have access to OASIS, the relevant documents can still be submitted via email to treasuretrove@nms.ac.uk.
Standard Organised Fieldwork Reporting Form
Whichever reporting route is used, some documents are essential for TTU to report the assemblage to SAFAP, and for museums to be able to make an informed decision regarding acquisition. Assemblages will not be presented to SAFAP without them.
The essential information required is:
-
A completed Standard Organised Fieldwork Reporting Form
-
Copies of all reports, e.g. Data Structure Report (DSR), final report, and/or any publications.
-
A finds list: a breakdown of the bulk finds, small finds, ecofacts and samples in the archive). The Before the Museum project’s ‘Museums Scotland Archaeological Assemblage Catalogue Spreadsheet’ is the preferred format.
-
Box list: a count of the total number of boxes the archive contains, and also any large single objects such as architectural stones.
Removal of Finds from Scotland
Excavation material cannot be removed from Scotland without permission. Post excavation analysis and specialist work is an integral part of the process of excavation and should material need to be taken to facilities outside Scotland, an application form (below) must be completed and submitted prior to transport. This is a straightforward process and permission is normally given, provided that certain simple requirements are met.
Application Form for Authority to Borrow Unallocated Treasure Trove for Research Purposes
This requirement applies to both excavators who are based outside Scotland and Scottish researchers wishing to send material for analysis elsewhere in the UK or abroad.
Any archaeologist based outside Scotland who is intending to undertake fieldwork in Scotland should register their intention in advance with the Treasure Trove Unit.
The archaeologist to whom consent is issued undertakes full responsibility for any finds while they are outside Scotland, along with their full declaration and repatriation at the appropriate time.
For material which will be removed outwith the UK, the excavator should submit a full database or spreadsheet, as well as the standard application form. This should list all of the objects that will be removed.
Excavators based outside Scotland, who undertake work in Scotland, should be aware that their finds will become ‘tainted’ under the Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003, unless the above procedures are followed. Under this legislation, finds will effectively be illegally held if removed without prior written consent.
Environmental samples and both human and animal remains are not considered as bona vacantia; permission does not need to be sought before removing such material.
Analytical analysis
The removal of a small amount of material which does not materially alter or wholly destroy an object would be considered a standard post excavation procedure; special permission is not necessary for material remaining in Scotland. However, all analysis methods should be detailed in applications seeking to remove finds from Scotland.
Analysis which will wholly or significantly destroy artefactual material should be discussed with the Treasure Trove Unit.
Human remains
The Crown has no ownership rights over human remains, although they are processed through Treasure Trove when associated with larger assemblages. Assemblages that consist entirely of human skeletal remains cannot be processed by the Treasure Trove Unit.