In this paper we propose a service-oriented approach for implementation of a digital library system focused primarily on allowing heritage amateurs (e.g. rambler associations, metal detector societies, etc.) and professionals (e.g. archaeologists, finds liaison officers, etc.) to create, interpret and share their digital portable antiquities in interesting visualisation and interaction environments. We propose a heritage data model based on a data, information, knowledge and wisdom workflow that facilitates a better understanding of our shared heritage. By using a service-oriented approach it is envisaged that each element of the heritage data model will map to the digital library system applications: ‘content creation’ (data), ‘archival’ (information), ‘exposition’ (knowledge), ‘visualisation and interaction’ (wisdom) services respectively. This will provide an invaluable resource to the heritage community for discovering, interpreting and supporting discovered artefacts and sharing this heritage through advanced archival, exposition, visualisation and interactive services based on a Grid and P2P infrastructure.