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6. THE TREASURE TROVE PROCESS: FIELDWORK ASSEMBLAGES (Fig. 3)
6.1 All significant portable antiquities from organized archaeological fieldwork in Scotland are automatically claimed for the Crown and no ex gratia payments are made. The process by which fieldwork assemblages are dealt with under the Treasure Trove system is summarized in Figure 3. This section expands upon the flow-chart and provides a definitive step-by-step account. The responsibilities of the parties involved and the mechanisms for achieving the steps are considered in subsequent sections of the Code.
6.2 Assemblages, normally when museum ready, are reported directly to the TTU in the case of fieldwork other than that involving Historic Scotland. The assemblages themselves remain with the excavators until allocation, but Data Structure Reports (or equivalent), including a finds listing, must be sent to the TTU.
6.3 In the case of fieldwork involving Historic Scotland, the assemblages are reported by the excavator directly to Historic Scotland, not to the TTU. Historic Scotland then reports these finds to the TTU. In this case the assemblages remain with Historic Scotland until allocation and the Data Structure Reports are sent to Historic Scotland, which copies them to the TTU.
6.4 The TTU advises the QLTR of the reported fieldwork assemblages.
6.5 The QLTR formalizes the claim by allocating a case number, and notifies the excavator (or Historic Scotland) and the TTU that the assemblage has been claimed.
6.6 The TTU advertises the claimed assemblage to the museum sector and invites museums to submit standard applications for allocation. If multiple standard applications are received, these will be exchanged by the TTU between the submitters, who are given the option of submitting revised applications.
6.7 The TTU supplies a copy of the Data Structure Report (or equivalent), including a finds listing, to the museum(s) interested in allocation.
6.8SAFAP considers current claimed assemblages at its regular meetings. SAFAP deliberates and arrives at its recommendations to the QLTR for allocation.
6.9 The TTU advises the relevant museum of SAFAP's recommendation and requests confirmation that the museum still seeks the allocation.
6.10 After SAFAP has considered multiple applications for a claimed assemblage, the TTU will inform the museums involved of what SAFAP is minded to recommend to the QLTR. It will request confirmation of the museum's agreement or disagreement with this outcome. If there is a disagreement, the case will be deferred for reconsideration at SAFAP's next meeting, and the museums involved will be invited to submit further details. These further details are not exchanged between the museums by the TTU.
6.11 The TTU advises the QLTR of SAFAP's recommendations.
6.12 If for any reason the QLTR decides to reject a SAFAP recommendation, the case is referred back to the next meeting of the Panel for reconsideration (this is rare).
6.13 If the QLTR decides to accept a SAFAP recommendation then the excavator (or Historic Scotland) and the recipient museum are notified by the QLTR, who also alerts the TTU to this decision.
6.14 The recipient museum arranges with the excavator or Historic Scotland for receipt of the assemblage and accessions it into its collection.
6.15 If, for any reason, no museum has expressed interest in acquiring a claimed assemblage, the QLTR may, on SAFAP's recommendation, disclaim the assemblage and it will remain with the excavator (or Historic Scotland). Responsibility for the retention or disposal of disclaimed assemblages (or any assemblages which the Crown has chosen not to claim) rests with the excavator (or Historic Scotland), who should retain relevant documentation.
TT.62/07 Middle Bronze Age spearhead from Mennock Water, Dumfries & Galloway. Allocated to Dumfries Museum
Bronze Age weapons and tools are found both singly and in hoards. Some have been deliberately broken or buried in or near water or in prominent places in the landscape suggesting ritual deposit as in the case of TT.62/07 a Middle Bronze Age spearhead which was discovered wedged in a rock crevice in a burn at Mennock Water in Dumfriesshire. It is in remarkable condition having survived in the water for around 3,500 years.
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