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Resource identifiers

• ADS Collection: 3803
• DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1106890
• How to cite using this DOI

Lancashire County Council Museum Service is the final repository of archaeological archives excavated in the County of Lancashire. Our role is to collect, curate and make available the finds, paper and digital archives generated through archaeological excavation. Object archives are stored at the Museum Collections Store in Preston and paper archives are stored with Lancashire Archives.

LCCMS was established in 1972, partly as a result of the national reorganisation of County boundaries which took effect in spring 1974. This reorganisation resulted in many of the major metropolitan areas of Lancashire (Manchester, Liverpool, Rochdale etc.) becoming independent Metropolitan Boroughs leaving a core county of Lancashire approximately 70% of which covered rural communities.

Lancashire County Council, through its Library Department, created a countywide museum service to ensure the history and heritage of the post 1974 county which it collected and interpreted for its citizens. Collections specifically related to all aspects of the history and heritage of Lancashire with a particular emphasis on agricultural and rural life to reflect the make-up of the new Lancashire. Collections also include natural history, geology, fine and decorative arts, social history and costume, industrial history, numismatics and archaeology.

LCCMS is the governing body for the following ACE Accredited sites:

• Lancashire Conservation Studio and Collections (AN212);
• The Judges' Lodgings (214);
• Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Whitaker's Mill (215);
• Queen Street Mill Textile Museum (1518);
• Is also responsible for the Ribchester Roman Bathhouse;

LCCMS is also responsible for the management of the following ACE Accredited sites/collections on behalf of other authorities:

• Clitheroe Castle Museum (216), owned by Ribble Valley Borough Council
• Higher Mill Collection (1889), owned by The Higher Mill Museum Trust
• Listed fixtures and fittings within Scarisbrick Hall, Ormskirk

Notable excavation archives include those from Ribchester Roman Bathhouse and surrounds, Silverdale Viking Hoard, Great Mitton Hoard and the Langdale axe.

Whilst LCCMS is committed to continuing to collect archaeological archives, attention should be drawn to our general Collecting Policy as well as our Guidelines on the Deposition of Archaeological Archives in order to better understand our focus and rationale for selection, retention and where necessary dispersal.