The Portable Antiquities Scheme and its impact on the public [Updated version]
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 11/09/2014

From the Digital Engagement in Archaeology Conference- http://digitalengagementinarchaeology.wordpress.com/ 

Abstract: The Portable Antiquities Scheme and its impact on the public

The Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) began in 1997 and encourages the voluntary recording of archaeological objects discovered by members of the public in England and Wales. The PAS has had a digital presence of some form for over 13 years and this paper will discuss the impact that the digital arm of the project has had on a national and international audience. Over 820,000 objects have been recorded on the PAS database and these are made available for all to view, comment and reuse within their own research, on their websites or elsewhere and this liberal outlook has seen over ½ million visits for 2011 and this figure is rising steadily for 2012. This paper will show how the PAS website impacts on the public with specific reference to stories of international interest -- such as the Crosby Garrett helmet and the Staffordshire Hoard. It will also discuss how these successes have been reached on a minimal digital budget via the use of open source technology and through the buy in of its audience.

Daniel Pett
ICT Advisor
British Museum