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Stop work that could affect the find, leave it where it is, and contact the heritage or archaeology authority responsible for the location. Do not clean, move, dig around, or probe it. Reporting channels, deadlines, and legal duties vary by jurisdiction and by type of find; a rule that applies to treasure in one country, for example, may not apply to an ordinary artifact elsewhere.
What to do first
- Pause nearby work. Stop digging, construction, gardening, or other activity that could damage the object or its surroundings. Queensland specifically directs people who uncover potentially important non-Indigenous archaeological artefacts to stop work and contact the authority immediately: Queensland Government archaeological discoveries guidance.
- Leave the find and its context intact. Do not pick it up, clean it, dig for more, dismantle a structure, or lift an underwater object. British Columbia and Finland both direct finders not to disturb archaeological material; Finland specifically says not to dig at a site for additional finds. British Columbia reporting guidance; Finnish Heritage Agency reporting information.
- Record what you can without handling anything. If safe, note the date, precise location, and what is visible. Take photographs of the find where it lies and of the surrounding area, without moving anything to get a better view. Finland and New South Wales recommend recording observations, location, photographs, or context.
- Contact the responsible local authority. Look for the official government archaeology, heritage, or cultural heritage office for the place where the discovery occurred. Give a concise description, location, date, and photographs if requested, then follow its directions. Reporting channels differ: Finland uses the Ilppari service, while British Columbia directs people to its Archaeology Branch.
- If it could be human remains, treat it as urgent. Do not touch or disturb them. Contact the appropriate local authorities immediately and follow their instructions. In British Columbia, the province says it will notify the Coroner’s Office and local police.
Who to contact depends on where and what you found
There is no single worldwide reporting procedure. Before acting on a deadline or legal requirement, establish the jurisdiction and the category of material: possible human remains, Indigenous or other cultural heritage, a historical relic, treasure, or wreck material may each follow different rules.
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| Location and find category | Official direction |
|---|---|
| British Columbia: possible archaeological sites or artifacts | The province says archaeological sites on public and private land are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act, whether known or not, and cannot be altered without a permit. Do not disturb the find; contact the provincial Archaeology Branch. Province of British Columbia. |
| British Columbia: suspected human remains | Report immediately. The province says it will notify the Coroner’s Office and local police. Province of British Columbia. |
| Finland: archaeological finds, including underwater material | Record observations and photographs, do not dig for additional finds, and report through the Finnish Heritage Agency’s Ilppari service. Do not dig, move, dismantle, or lift underwater structures or objects. Finnish Heritage Agency. |
| Queensland: artefact potentially important to non-Indigenous history | Stop work, contact the authority immediately, and submit the notification form. Do not disturb the site for 20 working days unless written permission is provided. This period applies to the cited Queensland category, not to finds everywhere. Queensland Government. |
| New South Wales: Aboriginal cultural heritage | Do not disturb or remove objects. Record the position, photographs, and description, then contact the Local Aboriginal Land Council or Local Land Services. NSW Government. |
| New South Wales: historical relic | Historical relic notifications have a separate process under the Heritage Act 1977. Check the official process for the relic category rather than assuming the Aboriginal cultural heritage contact route applies. NSW Government. |
| England and Wales: treasure | Report treasure to a local Finds Liaison Officer within 14 days. This deadline is for treasure in England and Wales, not every archaeological find. GOV.UK. |
| England and Wales: wreck material | Wreck material has a separate 28-day reporting window. GOV.UK notes different rules apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland. GOV.UK. |
What information to give when you report
Share useful context with the responsible authority, while keeping the object undisturbed. A clear initial report can include:
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- When you noticed the find, including the date.
- Where it is, as precisely as you can safely establish.
- What is visible and how it was exposed, such as by gardening or construction.
- Photographs taken in place and of the surrounding area, if safe to take.
- Whether work is continuing nearby or whether the material may be human remains.
Give accurate location details directly to the authority so it can assess and protect the site. Avoid posting precise coordinates publicly where that could expose a vulnerable or culturally sensitive place.
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Why leaving it in place matters
An object’s position and surroundings can be as informative as the object itself. Moving or cleaning it can destroy evidence about where it was found, what was nearby, and how the material relates to a site. Official guidance in British Columbia, Finland, Queensland, and New South Wales emphasizes not disturbing finds or cultural heritage while seeking the proper reporting route.
If the object is underwater, do not lift it or dismantle nearby structures. If you cannot identify the right reporting channel, search for the official heritage or archaeology authority for the location and ask for instructions before resuming work that could affect the discovery.
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