A remarkable discovery known as the Staffordshire hoard, which consists of a collection of Anglo-Saxon gold artefacts, has been hailed as a significant find in British archaeology. Metal detectorist Terry Herbert unearthed the ‘war hoard’ while using a £2 metal detector he purchased from a car boot sale to search a field near Lichfield owned by farmer Fred Johnson. The discovery, made on July 5, 2009, was later sold to museums for £3.285 million, with the proceeds being divided between Herbert and Johnson. The artefacts are believed to be from the ‘holy war of the dark ages’, a time when Pagan leaders clashed with rival Christian kingdoms. The hoard, consisting of 3,900 items, is thought to have belonged to Mercian King Penda, a Pagan ruler who reigned until 655AD.
A treasure trove of Anglo-Saxon gold items, referred to as the Staffordshire hoard, has been described as a remarkable discovery in British archaeology. Depicted below is a replica of a magnificent golden helmet, fragments of which were found within the hoard.
The collection consists of a possible ‘battle shrine’ which holds a processional cross indicating that Christian symbols may have been utilized as talismans for warfare. Shown here is one of the valuable finds uncovered.
Terry Herbert, a metal detectorist, made an incredible find known as the ‘war hoard’ while using a cheap metal detector he purchased for £2 at a car boot sale. Seen in the photo: Yet another valuable treasure unearthed.
Dr. Chris Fern, a researcher at the University of York, has recently shared his findings in the book titled “The Staffordshire Hoard: An Anglo-Saxon Treasure.”
According to Dr. Fern, this era saw a surge in the availability of gold, leading to the creation of exquisite items for the warrior elite.
The collection of 3,900 ancient artifacts, believed to be from the period between AD600 and AD650, has garnered worldwide attention. Among the treasures is a reconstructed helmet found in the hoard.
According to the latest findings by a team of researchers headed by Dr. Fern, it is now believed that the collection of treasures was once owned by King Penda of the Mercians, who reigned until 655AD. Visitors can catch a glimpse of some of these exquisite pieces at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall checked out the Staffordshire Hoard Exhibition at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent.
On July 5, 2009, Mr. Herbert stumbled upon a treasure trove on land owned by farmer Fred Johnson (shown in the picture). The discovery made them wealthy after selling the items to various museums.
King Penda was known as the most powerful Anglo-Saxon King of his era, and now a collection of ancient artifacts dating back to AD600-AD650 has captured global attention. The hoard, believed to have belonged to one of the mightiest Anglo-Saxon Kings, was discovered following the Battle of Hatfield Chase where Northumbrian King Edwin was defeated. Led by Dr. Chris Fern, researchers have identified close to 700 items out of a total of 4,600 pieces from a time of violent conflicts among Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. Dr. Fern suggests that the items were taken by Mercian armies from Northumbria and eastern England to a kingdom situated in what is now central England. Among the treasures unearthed is a potential ‘battle shrine’ containing a processional cross, indicating Christian symbols were used as good luck charms in battle. The collection also includes an inscription from the book of Numbers, a part of the Hebrew Bible. It reads: ‘Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee before thee.’ The hoard, discovered near Lichfield, Staffordshire, was later sold to museums for a whopping £3.285 million.
The team has found close to 700 objects dating back to a period when Anglo-Saxon realms were involved in violent conflicts.
Within the assortment, you can discover small red and blue garnet stones that have been intricately carved into elegant, curved forms that are perfect for decorating.
The ancient jewellers displayed remarkable skills in crafting delicate threads of gold, less than a millimetre thick, into intricate designs. It appears that the emblems, likely from the losing side, were intentionally broken before being buried. Dr. Fern noted that some Christian objects seemed to have been deliberately targeted, with religious figures supporting armies in battle during that period. Approximately 80 percent of the treasures found consisted of weaponry, particularly swords. Among the discoveries were 50 rare gold sword pommels and fragments of a golden helmet. Dr. Fern highlighted that this era saw a surge in the availability of gold, leading to the creation of beautiful objects for the warrior elite. The findings from Dr. Fern’s research at the University of York can be found in the book titled “The Staffordshire Hoard: An Anglo-Saxon Treasure.”
According to The Guardian, Dr. Fern suggests that the objects were likely plundered from Northumbria and East England by Mercian forces from a kingdom located in the heart of modern-day England.
The collection, hidden away and never retrieved, contains a processional cross indicating that Christian symbols may have been carried into battle as talismans for good luck. In 2015, archaeologists carefully reconstructed a warrior’s helmet and a one-of-a-kind sword pommel that were part of the hoard. They believed these artifacts, showcasing 7th-century ‘warrior splendor,’ were likely crafted in workshops established by some of England’s earliest rulers. The intricate silver helmet, with its ear pieces, cap, and crest intact, features engravings of animals, kneeling Saxon warriors, and men sporting handlebar mustaches on its band. Considered a rare find, this Anglo-Saxon helmet is only the fifth of its kind discovered in Britain. It took experts three full days to piece together around 1,500 delicate silver sheets to reconstruct various components of the helmet band and other intricate elements.
Researchers examining the impressive Staffordshire Hoard have recently discovered an exceptional warrior’s helmet. This helmet features a remarkable helmet band that has been reconstructed using countless tiny fragments of valuable metal.
The intricate designs on the helmet include images of kneeling human warriors, male moustachioed faces, birds, animals, and mythical beasts. These fragments, some as small as one centimeter, were painstakingly pieced together to reveal the detailed die-stamped designs. The helmet band, which encircled the helmet, features a level with the wearer’s ears. While the warriors depicted have handlebar moustaches, experts have not yet linked these designs to the helmet’s origin.
The Hoard contains a mix of Christian and pagan symbols, with one particular artifact being an early Christian cross.
A few of the warriors shown in the artwork sport handlebar moustaches, suggesting that this particular style was trendy during that era.
