York Castle Museum

Object Identification

How we can help

The museum is now closed for refurbishment until 1 August 2010.

Our curatorial team have a great deal of expertise about our own collections and are usually happy to help try and identify your objects. Unfortunately they are not able to offer this service during the closure (except for archaeological finds - see below).

We have also had to suspend our object research and loan request services as our curators are devoting all their time to the re-development of the galleries. Normal service will be resumed on 1 December 2010 and requests made before the closure are still being dealt with.

If you find an archaeological object

We can still help you to identify archaeological finds during the closure, thanks to staff from the national Portable Antiquities Scheme based at the Yorkshire Museum.

The scheme was set up in 1997 to record information about finds made by members of the public, many of whom are metal detector users. In return, the public get expert help in identifying their finds.

Our regular Finds Days are now being held at York Art Gallery until the museum re-opens and also at other venues across North and East Yorkshire.

If you think you have found something interesting, come along, or contact Liz Andrews-Wilson at the Yorkshire Museum, on 01904 687668, or email liz.andrews-wilson@ymt.org.uk

York Art Gallery

Saturday 6 February 10am - 1pm
Saturday 10 April 10am - 1pm
Saturday 5 June 10am - 1pm
Saturday 7 August 10am - 1pm

Yorkshire Museum

Saturday 2 October 10am - 1pm
Saturday 4 December 10am - 1pm

Hull and East Riding Museum, Hull

Saturday 30 January 2010 11am - 1pm
Saturday 27 March 2010 11am - 1pm
Saturday 29 May 2010 11am - 1pm
Saturday 31 July 2010 11am - 1pm
Saturday 25 September 2010 11am - 1pm
Saturday 27 November 2010 11am - 1pm

For more information about the Portable Antiquities Scheme, go to http://www.finds.org.uk