Almost everyone makes a special discovery while digging in the garden or during a walk along the beach. In addition, thousands of people regularly go recreationally looking for special finds with a metal detector.

In both cases we speak of 'coincidental finds', that is to say finds that were not made during an excavation. Is it necessary to report these finds, and if so, how does that work?

Finding report looking for finds with the metal detector

Searching for special finds with the metal detector

Sometimes these are isolated finds without much scientific value, in other cases finds tell a special story and may contribute to the knowledge of local history. A find can also provide an important clue about other archaeological remains in that area.

The Civil Code (Article 5:13 BW) states that the chance discovery ('Darling') belongs in equal parts to the person who discovers it and to the owner of the real or movable property in which the find was found. A treasure is defined by law as “a thing of value that has been hidden for so long that its rightful owner can no longer be traced”.

PAN Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands (2019)
Metal detecting in the Netherlands. Code of conduct and rules for responsible use of the metal detector in the Netherlands.
| PDF (6 MB)

Magnet fishing

Magnet fishing is similar to metal detecting and is a popular hobby, but it is not allowed without restrictions. This applies in particular to archaeological finds. Magnet fishing is not regulated. The exception to the excavation ban for searching and digging with a metal detector only applies on land and not in water (Heritage Act Decree). Archaeological objects in the water may not be moved or taken away, so not even removed with a magnet. For more information, visit the website of the Government Information and Heritage Inspectorate .

How to report

A chance find must be considered a coincidence according to the Heritage Act be reported. This can be done, for example, at the municipal or provincial depot, or with the help of the Finds notification form on the website of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE). If no report has been made or it is unclear who is entitled to the find, the municipality can demand interim custody of the find until it has been determined who is entitled to it. The finder must keep the find available for scientific research for at least 6 months.

For more information about chance finds you can visit the website of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE).

Report finds, a chance find with a metal detector

A nice coincidence find

Report to the depot

If you have found something that may be of archaeological importance, we would be happy to help you. In order to register a find, we need the following information from you:

Name and contact details of the finder;
Description of the find;
Address details of the location + possibly a map (use Google Maps);
Date the find was made;
Circumstances of discovery (for example: dump, pasture, etc.);
How the discovery was made (for example: metal detector, digging, by eye, etc.);
Where the find is currently located;
A clear photo of the object and its location.

If you value your privacy, we will keep your personal information anonymous.

Report to PAN Portable Antiquities of The Netherlands

The aim of PAN is to document and publish online archaeological finds in private possession, in particular metal finds found using a metal detector. In this way we want to make the information about the finds and their locations available to science, heritage research, museums and other interested parties. The database is online to consult. If you want to report a find, install the PAN app on your phone. PAN can also be found on Facebook.

Download PAN app
You can easily download the app with this QR code. Most browsers and smartphones are supported. For iPhones: version iOS13 or higher.
Manual in PDF (2,1 MB)

Example from PAN database

Coins NUMIS database

The Numismatic Information System (NUMIS) database contains more than 277.000 Dutch numismatic finds. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) adds new finds almost daily. A part of the NUMIS database is online to consult.

Archis Notifications

Arches (Archaeological Information System) is a database with information about all archaeological sites and terrains, from Prehistory to Modern Times in the Netherlands. This database is primarily aimed at professional archaeologists and is maintained by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE).

Determination of finds

If you would like us to identify a find for you, you can send us a message with a clear photo. We explicitly do not perform appraisals. To determine the monetary value, we recommend contacting a recognized antique dealer or auction house. Furthermore, we do not make any statements about illegally acquired finds from the ground.

Boxes used to store finds

Private collections

The interest in archaeology is certainly not something of this time. In Gorinchem there were also passionate amateur archaeologists in the past who searched building sites in their spare time. Their finds were usually carefully documented and stored in boxes and crates. Unfortunately, these collections sometimes end up in the attic later due to various circumstances, or the relatives are not able to properly assess the value of such a collection. The collection often ends up in the household waste!

The depot is of course interested in these types of private collections. When we take over a collection from you, we offer the guarantee that it will remain together for the future and that the name of the finders will always be connected to it.

Report finds