Shetland Finds Day with Treasure Trove
Saturday, May 17th 2025 10:00am - 4:00pm
Shetland Museum and Archives
Chance discoveries of artefacts by members of the public have the potential to make a significant contribution to our understanding of Scotland’s past. The role of Treasure Trove is to ensure that finds of cultural significance are protected for the benefit of the nation and preserved in museums across the country.
Shetland Museum and Archives will host the Saturday session from 10.00am – 4.00pm. A member of the TTU team will be on hand to assess any finds that you may have found and provide advice on what you need to do.
Jenny Murray curator responsible for archaeology at Shetland Museum explains: “Treasure is anything of cultural or historical value to Scotland – to help tell the national and community story. This includes anything that is archaeological, medieval finds, and coins that are pre-1800. Archaeological items include pottery sherds, beads (stone, bone and glass), stone tools, worked bone, stone fishing weights, stone loom weights and much more. Really - anything from 4000BC to AD 1800!”
Much of what goes through the Treasure Trove process are chance finds where someone digging their garden or ploughing a field may uncover archaeological or other important material. People cutting peat in the moorlands also find things, especially stone and wooden tools, but also ancient textiles – prehistoric Shetlander’s have ‘offered’ things to the moorland as votive offerings. Metal detectorists often uncover important finds including coins.
TO BOOK YOUR TIME SLOT HERE
Category: Community Events