Information
Definition of Treasure
The definition of Treasure in Northern Ireland has changed, learn more about what objects qualify as treasure.
The Treasure Act
National Museums NI has a legal role linked with the reporting of Treasure finds made in Northern Ireland. Our archaeology curators provide advice and recommendations to Coroners on which finds, made each year by members of the public, legally qualify as Treasure.
This page provides an introduction to Treasure in Northern Ireland but anyone with an interest in the area is strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the legislation.
Who owns Treasure?
Certain archaeological objects are classed as Treasure, and there is a system of laws and regulations in Northern Ireland which sets out the definition of Treasure, and what you should do if you find an object you think might be Treasure. Items which are Treasure belong to the Crown. If a museum wishes to acquire them, finders and landowners are not able to sell Treasure finds - rather they may claim a reward, or choose to donate the items.
The aim of our Treasure legislation is to ensure that important and significant finds are preserved in museum collections for public benefit.
If you find something that may be Treasure
The Treasure process in Northern Ireland is administered by Treasure Registry staff at National Museums NI in conjunction with the Coroners Service for Northern Ireland and supported by Historic Environment Division. Any person who finds an item or items which they believe might be Treasure should report it directly to National Museums NI within 14 days from when they realised the object might be Treasure (who will pass details to the coroner). By doing so (and supplying all of the necessary contextual details) the finder has fulfilled their legal obligation under the Treasure Act.
The obligation to report finds applies to everyone, including archaeologists who find an object they suspect to be Treasure in the course of an archaeological excavation. In the case of archaeological excavations, the treasure find should be reported to Historic Environment Divison in the first instance.
It is important to note that searching for archaeological objects or treasure in Northern Ireland where there will be digging in the ground (including metal detecting activities) requires a licence from Historic Environment Division under the Historic Monuments and Archaeological Objects (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Licences are only issued for archaeological projects and the application forms and process can be accessed below.
Anyone intending to metal detect in Northern Ireland must be familiar with the law governing the activity which is outlined in A Guide to Metal Detecting, Archaeology and the Law.
Main image: Roman gold ring, from the Murlough hoard, County Down