Small finds, big impact: volunteer empowerment in the Portable Antiquities Scheme
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 13/07/2019

In 2014, the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) launched the HLF-funded PASt Explorers project with the aim of growing and supporting our volunteer base. Since it began over 500 volunteers have been involved with the project, recording finds and adding to our shared knowledge of the past.
But the impact has been far greater than the number of finds recorded.
This talk will demonstrate how the public can be involved in all stages of the archaeological process, from finding the objects to producing the data, using the data and sharing the data with their local communities (and beyond). By empowering volunteers with the right tools and training, we have fostered an environment in which members of the public are confident engaging with archaeology and contributing to the archaeological record. This talk will discuss how we’ve done this and what the benefits are, not just for PAS but for the volunteers themselves.

Lauren Speed (PASt Explorers Project)