The Database

The Portable Antiquities Scheme runs a large digital storage place to hold all the information and pictures that our staff collect about the wonderful objects that are found. On the database, you can find information about:

  • What the object is
  • what the object looks like
  • What the object is made from
  • What it was used for
  • How big and how heavy it is
  • Where it was found
The PAS database

All the objects have been found by people; adults, children and teenagers. There might be an object recorded that is from your area, or even something that your family has recorded.

So, how does it work?

Well, firstly, you need to know a little bit more about what a Finds Liaison Officer does, and then come back and learn about what they record. So off you go to a day in the life of Tom Brindle, Finds Liaison Officer (FLO) for Northamptonshire.

Anna Marshall with a finder

The database is used to record objects that are found and brought by the finder into their local FLO. It is really important that the FLO follows a strict method for recording the "data", if they don't collect the right information, you would find it incredibly hard to find the record again. It is a bit like following a map. If your directions are incorrect, then you get lost. If they are good, you can find your way there!

So, the FLO needs to describe the object carefully, telling their readers about any curves, nooks and crannies, bumps and lumps, breaks and sharp bits. They also need to weigh, measure and then photograph the object. This creates a lasting record that is entered into the database.

Now, let’s look for some objects!

This is done by opening the database in a new window and following these simple steps.

  1. Click on the link labelled “visual search”. The icon for this looks like this.
    Perform a visual search on the datbase
  2. Choose the period that you want to search. For this example, we'll be looking at the Romans.
    Roman helmet
  3. Choose the area that you want to search. Let’s choose Suffolk. Do you know where that is? If you don’t, then ask your neighbour, Teacher, Mum or Dad! The outline below should give you a clue!
    Suffolk outline
  4. Then choose an object to search for. Let's find coins, we all like money don't we! Roman coins look like these ones below.....
    Roman coins
  5. Press the "search" button!
    Search button

What have you got? How many coins have you found? Open one of the hyperlinks and have a look. You should get a page that looks like this:

Search results

As this can be quite scary, have a look at this interactive demonstration. It may help you out if you get stuck!

Now we're going to try and find something which has been found where you live! This is also quite easy when you know how! So let's go

  1. Click on the link on the left hand menu called “search”
  2. When the menu has expanded, click on “advanced search”
  3. Choose parish from the drop down list
  4. Press the list button, this should then produce a long list of all the parishes of England and Wales
  5. Choose your parish
  6. Press “search”

Has anything appeared? If so, open one that you think is interesting and show someone else. If you haven't got anything, then perhaps no one has recorded an object in your village. Try a village nearby to see if anything has been recorded from there.

http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/rss.php/project/pas/feed/406

© The British Museum 2006