The new Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) website has been shortlisted for the 2010 British Archaeological Awards.
One of finalists in the ‘archaeological innovation’ category, the PAS website includes the scheme’s database of almost 600,000 objects found and registered by members of the public across England and Wales.
The website, with a completely rebuilt database, was launched in March this year.
“Making the shortlist in this year’s awards is a fitting tribute for the work that our regional FLOs and the public of England and Wales have put in to making the Scheme’s database such an essential resource for studying the archaeology of this country,” explained Roger Bland, Head of Portable Antiquities and Treasure at the British Museum.
“Hopefully, this news and the story of the Staffordshire Hoard, will make people more aware about the potential uses of these data and raise public awareness of their local archaeology.”
Established in 1976, the British Archaeological Awards aim to be a showcase for the best in British archaeology. The 2010 winners will be announced at a ceremony on 19 July, which is taking place place during the Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of British Archaeology – a UK-wide celebration featuring over 650 events.
The PAS website is shortlisted for Best Archaeological Innovation, alongside the Integrated Archaeological Database and Lindow Man: a Bog Body Mystery Exhibition, a display which included a British Museum object, at the Manchester Museum (April 2008-April 2009).
Among the other categories is Best Archaeological Discovery, for which the now famous Staffordshire Hoard find of late 2009 is on the shortlist.