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3. OPERATING THE TREASURE TROVE SYSTEM: THE BODIES INVOLVED (Fig.1)
3.1 QLTR. The Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer ( QLTR) operates the Treasure Trove system. The QLTR is the Crown appointee ultimately responsible for all decisions over the claiming, valuation and allocation of portable antiquities found in Scotland.
3.2 SAFAP. The Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel ( SAFAP) is a non-statutory specialist advisory panel which makes recommendations to the QLTR on the valuation and allocation of portable antiquities and archaeological assemblages claimed by the Crown. It meets at least three times per year (see Appendix A for its terms of reference). In its present form (since 2005) the Panel represents an amalgamation of the former Treasure Trove Advisory Panel and the former Finds Disposal Panel.
Fig. 1: Treasure Trove Responsibilities Tree
Abbreviations
QLTR: Queen's & Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer NMS: National Museums Scotland
SAFAP: Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel
3.3 TTU. The Treasure Trove Unit ( TTU) undertakes the day-to-day administration of the Treasure Trove system. The Unit is funded by the Scottish Government and housed within NMS (see Appendix B for its functions).
3.4 NMS. National Museums Scotland ( NMS) provides accommodation and facilities for the TTU and makes available expert advice and other resource support to assist the TTU. The Director of NMS nominates one member of staff to represent NMS on SAFAP.
3.5 MGS. Museums Galleries Scotland ( MGS) provides a channel of communication to and from the museum sector for Treasure Trove matters. The Director of MGS nominates one member of staff to represent MGS on SAFAP.
3.6 HS. Historic Scotland ( HS), as a major sponsor of archaeological fieldwork, reports all finds and assemblages from work it has sponsored or co-sponsored directly to the TTU for consideration by SAFAP. HS also undertakes Scottish Ministers' responsibilities in relation to scheduled monuments and monuments in the guardianship of Scottish Ministers, under the terms of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
3.7 NFA. The National Fund for Acquisitions ( NFA) can on application provide grants towards the purchase of portable antiquities by non-national museums. In any one year such museums can obtain 50 per cent of the ex gratia payment for allocated Crown-claimed material, for as long as NFA funds allow.
3.8 Contact details for the above bodies are listed at the end of this Code ( Appendix O).
3.9 Many other organizations and individuals assist in operating the Treasure Trove system; the role of regional/local museums and Local Authority archaeologists is considered in sections 9 and 10 of this Code.
TT.4/07 Neolithic carved stone ball from Newburgh, Fife. Allocated to Fife Museums Service.
Carved stone balls are unique to Scotland and are one of the most enigmatic of all European prehistoric objects. Some are perfectly symmetrical and have decorative lines incised on them such as TT.103/06, found during potato harvesting near Pitmilly Law in Fife, whilst others like TT.4/07, found in a garden near Newburgh in Fife, are asymmetrical and seem to be less finely finished. Most carved stone balls are found north of the Firth of Forth in the east and north of Scotland but we do not know what they were used for nor what significance they held for the people who made them.
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