Finds Identification and Treasure

For archaeological objects, you can use our 'Identify' reference drawers in the museum gallery to see a range of commonly found objects and try to identify your finds yourself.

To arrange an appointment with one of our curatorial staff to discuss an object, please contact us, providing as much detail as possible about the item and its provenance. Please note that identifications can take up to three months to research and we may have to refer to colleagues in other institutions to assist with more unusual objects.

We are unable to provide any valuations and will not authenticate works of art. The information offered by the museum reflects the personal opinions of the relevant curator. The museum will not accept any responsibility for any loss or damages relating to information provided with object identifications.

Portable Antiquities Scheme

The museum recommends that archaeological finds from Lincolnshire are recorded with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) - a voluntary scheme for recording and mapping archaeological finds made by members of the public.  Finds recorded with PAS are instrumental to our understanding of Lincolnshire's rich archaeological heritage. You can find out more about the PAS here, or contact Lincolnshire's Finds Liaison Officer here.

If you believe you have found an archaeological item which falls under the definition of treasure, under the Treasure Act 1996, you have a legal responsibility to report it within 14 days. Please contact the Finds Liaison Officer for Lincolnshire to report a find of potential treasure. The documents on the right hand side of this page provide information and advice on the Treasure Act 1996 and what to do if you believe you have found treasure. These documents outline the treasure process in more detail. There is also a guide on how to care for archaeological finds.