Recording and Preserving the Past: Ten Years of the Treasure Act and Portable Antiquities Scheme in England and Wales

The Hon. John Culberson

In conjunction with The American Numismatic Society and Ancient Coin Collectors Guild welcome Dr. Roger Bland, Head of the Department of Portable Antiquities and Treasure at the British Museum

To Speak About How British Fair Play Has United the Public and the Archaeological Community in a Common Effort to Protect Artifacts from the Past

Since its introduction in 1997 the Treasure Act has led to a sixteen fold increase in the number of finds being reported as Treasure and offered to museums to acquire. The Portable Antiquities Scheme was introduced at the same time to encourage the voluntary reporting of all archaeological finds and so far 265,000 objects have been recorded on its online database,www.finds.org.uk. The lecture will look at how these two unique initiatives are transforming our understanding of the archaeology of England and Wales and what lessons they might offer for other countries.

When: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

Where: U.S. Capitol Rm. HC-6, Washington DC(South Entrance (facing House Office Buildings), ID Required)

Light Refreshments to be Served Following the Lecture

Please RSVP to Peter K. Tompa at (202) 835-9880 or pkt@dillingham-murphy.com

coin of Domitian of Gaul from the Chalgrove hoard in Oxfordshire