I’ve found something! What do I do?

By law, precious metals must be reported to the district coroner but pretty much anything else pre-1650 could be worth recording too. Make a note of the object’s size and where you found it. If it looks really exciting, complex or fragile, take a photo, leave it in the ground and seek help to avoid damaging it or the area around it. There’s a lot of advice on the Portable Antiquities Scheme website www.finds.org.uk. If an item is not treasure, museums may purchase it with your – and the landowner’s – permission. For finds made in Scotland, see www.treasuretrovescotland.co.uk