eBay.co.uk is now working in partnership with the Portable Antiquities Scheme to ensure that important antiquities and unreported treasure are not sold through the internet auction site

Members of the public who sell archaeological items on the internet auction site eBay.co.uk could soon find themselves on the wrong side of the law after a scheme to stem the flow of internet sales of antiquities was launched by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).

Working in partnership with eBay.co.uk a team from PAS, which is the government funded scheme that records archaeological objects found by the public, will be monitoring sales of antiquities on the auction website to ensure that sellers have the right to trade them.

By law, certain objects, such as old gold and silver coins, can only be sold if they are reported under the 1996 Treasure Act. Not only is the sale of some objects illegal says PAS, but it also means valuable insights into our past are lost forever.

The increase in internet auction sites has been a cause for concern to PAS for some time and although they acknowledge that many sellers innocently trade items, unaware that finds need to be reported under the provisions of the Treasure Act, they are keen to highlight the damage such sales do to the archaeological record.

Metal detectorist Cliff Bradshaw came upon a gold cup from the Bronze Age in 2001 and reported it resposnibly through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. Courtesy English Heritage

“Our experience is that most people who buy and sell UK archaeological finds do so without being aware that they may be breaking the law if items have not been reported,” said Roger Bland, Head of PAS. “We have therefore worked with eBay to ensure that its users are aware of its obligations through our guide.”

eBay.co.uk has launched a new online guide, created with the assistance of the British Museum and PAS, to buying and selling antiquities safely on the auction with advice about reporting obligations.

PAS will also be contacting sellers to ensure they have reported items through the scheme and have the appropriate documentation. Where the listing is deemed illegal it will be reported to the Art and Antiques Unit of the Metropolitan Police as well as eBay.co.uk, which has committed to end illegal listings.

"Educating our customers on what to look out for when buying antiquities on eBay and informing sellers of their obligations is of paramount importance,” said Garreth Griffith, head of Trust and Safety at eBay.co.uk. “Giving our customers the knowledge and engaging that knowledge to help with our investigations work means we have 15 million pairs of eyes and ears out there working with us on a day-to-day basis.”

The Rillaton Gold Cup was found by an amateur archaeologist in 2001. Reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme it is now part of the collection at the British Museum. © British Museum

“Working with British Museum and PAS and harnessing the strength of our community of buyers and sellers means we have an extensive network to ensure that antiquities are sold legitimately. It is also an excellent example of the way that eBay can work with law enforcement to track people seeking the break the law and bring them to account."

For their part, the Metropolitan Police Art and Antiquities Unit said they were fully supportive of the initiative and hoped that it would have a real impact on preventing illicit sales.

Every year thousands of objects are discovered in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - mostly by metal detector users. PAS, which is managed by the British Museum on behalf of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, offers the only proactive method for systematically logging and recording them for the public benefit.

A network of trained Finds Liaison Officers work with local organisations and museums to help members of the public to record their archaeological finds. The data is then made available through the scheme’s website at www.finds.org.uk