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7. THE ROLE OF THE FINDER: CHANCE FINDS
7.1 The finder has the most important role to play in the Treasure Trove process, since only if chance finds are observed and reported can they be acquired and preserved by museums, and thus contribute fully to public understanding and enjoyment of Scotland's past.
7.2 Finders are required, within one month of its initial discovery, to report anything believed to be a portable antiquity (see section 2.5 above for the legal position). This can be done by reporting directly to the TTU or by taking the object to a regional or local museum or to a Local Authority archaeologist. Advice on reporting can be obtained from the TTU by phone, letter, or email or from the website, from which a standard reporting form is available to download (see Appendix C). A delay in the reporting of portable antiquities may have a negative impact on any potential ex gratia payment.
7.3 Participants in metal-detecting rallies or similar events have an individual responsibility to report their finds, and organizers of such rallies and events should remind participants of this fact. Metal-detector users must not work on a scheduled monument without prior permission from Scottish Ministers.
7.4 The finder should provide as accurate a location as possible for the findspot. The TTU may send the finder a copy extract of the relevant map so that the position can be marked. Further details of the circumstances of finding may be required. Wilful misreporting of a findspot or the circumstances of finding is an offence.
7.5 The finder must take care not to damage a portable antiquity in any way. Objects must not be improperly cleaned, repaired, or marked. Items of wood, leather, fabric, or other organic material should be kept in the condition in which they are found (e.g. if wet keep wet). Advice on the treatment of finds can be obtained from the TTU. Damage to a portable antiquity in the care of the finder may result in a reduced ex gratia payment.
7.6 Sometimes it will be in the best interests of a portable antiquity to leave it where it has been found for investigation by an archaeologist. For example, removing organic items from peat can easily damage them and disturbing an object which is part of a hoard can destroy valuable information. Such discoveries should be notified immediately to the TTU, to a Local Authority archaeologist, to Historic Scotland, or to a museum. Such notification will in no way prejudice the reporter's position as the original finder for Treasure Trove purposes; indeed, such responsible actions are likely to be reflected favourably in SAFAP's determination of ex gratia payments.
7.7 The discovery of portable antiquities with human remains requires a different course of action. The human remains and associated artefacts should not be disturbed and must immediately be reported to the police (or local Procurator Fiscal's office) and to Historic Scotland.
7.8 Whilst Appendix F lists some of the most commonly claimed categories of portable antiquities it is not an exhaustive list and if in doubt it is best for finders to err on the side of caution and report any object they think may be relevant.
7.9 Most portable antiquities must come to the TTU for assessment. The TTU can advise on how this should be accomplished. Items which are claimed through the Treasure Trove process will be retained by the TTU pending allocation to a museum.
7.10 When a portable antiquity is claimed, the finder receives a letter to that effect from the QLTR. This letter advises the finder that the QLTR will consider an ex-gratia payment to the finder and invites the finder to communicate any information relevant to the assessment of the payment to the TTU ( Appendix G). The finder also has the opportunity at this stage to waive any possible ex gratia payment altogether, thereby benefiting any museum which acquires the find.
7.11 Once a decision has been taken over the valuation and allocation of a claimed portable antiquity, the finder will receive from the QLTR a letter setting out the sum determined as the ex gratia payment, the museum to which the allocation will be made, and the offer of a finder's certificate. The QLTR's decisions are final.
7.12 A portable antiquity which is returned to a finder after assessment is accompanied by an unclaim certificate. Finders must retain this certificate for as long as they retain the object, and must pass it on with the object if it is given away or otherwise disposed of.
TT.33/07 Late Bronze Age sword from Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway. Allocated to Annan Museum.
Other bronze objects have often been hoarded to melt down for re-use but it is rare to find an almost intact object in such fine condition as TT.33/07 a Late Bronze Age sword found near Lockerbie of a type rarely found in Scotland and dating to 1,150-1,000 BC.
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