Documenting amateur collectors’ finds
'In the PAN project, we have four years (2016-2020) to document the archaeological finds of amateur collectors, particularly those made by metal detectorists. While the collections of such detectorists are of great scientific value, they have largely been excluded from archaeological research until now. Through PAN, we're making them available for scientific research as well as for other amateurs.’
Most important, Heeren emphasises, is now to document the amateur collections as quickly as possible. 'The reason is that the collectors are getting on in age and it is crucial that they tell us where the finds were made. Once our project is wrapped up, the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency will take care of documentation for any new amateur finds.'
Providing access for both the scientific community and the public
The objective of the PAN project is to document the amateur finds and publish them online in order to make the information on the objects as well as the locations where they were found available to the scientific community, cultural heritage research, museums and any other interested parties.
Access through Linked Open Data
'Since the new Heritage Act entered into force in 2016, amateurs have been required to report anything they find. We visit the people at their homes to take pictures of their finds – things such as fibulae, keys, coins or buckles – and ask them where they found them. Next, we describe and publish the objects online via Linked Open Data.
56,000 objects with 3,500 reference types
'To date, our data set of finds excavated by amateurs contains 56,000 objects with 3,500 reference types. There is a great deal of variety in the types of finds. PAN is the first project that provides digital access to archaeological finds by type. What's more, new objects – which were previously unknown in the professional literature – are now being discovered.
Not everyone can see and access all information
'Every time we document a find, it is published on the PAN website. However, not everyone can see and access all the information', Heeren stresses. 'Members of the general public who visit the website will see only the municipality in which the object was found, as the finders prefer not to let everyone know the exact location.
About Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands
PAN comprises a staff of seven registrars who meet with collectors at their homes or in museums so as to document the collections, various finds specialists who provide the scientific determinations, and the project managers.
About the Dutch Data prize
The Dutch Data Prize is awarded every two years to a researcher or research group who makes extra contributions to science by making research data available for additional or new research.