Treasure
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2019-12-19

Treasure, in its legal sense, has a dry, precise and technical definition; there is no narrative flair or flights of fancy, no developed object biography. Some treasure items naturally have the wow factor, but how can we generate this wow-ness for another 17th century posy ring, another Medieval brooch, another Roman coin hoard? 
Treasure whether acquired or not needs its own publicity machine, it needs an interpreter to capture the hearts of the audience, and it needs its moment in the spotlight. The PAS has collaborated with Museums Worcestershire and Warwickshire Museums to develop exhibitions featuring treasure and giving it its wow factor. These exhibitions have been accompanied by lecture programmes, local press stories, and curator visits to metal detecting clubs. Through further research and these activities more treasure finds have been given the wow-factor, treated as works of art as well as archaeological curiosities. This paper aims to share some of the wow-ness. 


Angie Bolton, Portable Antiquities Scheme


Speaker biography
Angie was a field archaeologist for a short time, but in 1997 she became one of the first Finds Liaison Officers (FLO) for the then pilot Portable Antiquities Scheme. After 22 years as a FLO, next month Angie is leaving to become Curator of Archaeology for Oxfordshire Museums.