I have been following the story from Staffordshire very closely as it is completely fascinating! Imagine being able to share with the world one of the largest collections of gold, silver and gemstone treasures unearthed in recent times. That is exactly with Terry Herbert is doing currently. This unemployed gentleman was out spending time using his metal detector on a friend’s farm in the western region of Staffordshire in July when he discovered treasure. To quote Mr. Herbert “it was more fun than winning the lottery.” Mr. Herbert spent 18 years scouring fields and back lots without finding anything more valuable than a piece of an ancient Roman horse harness. Now, under British laws governing the discovery of ancient treasures, he stands to get half the value that will be split with the land owner.
"This is just a fantastic find completely out of the blue," Roger Bland, who managed the cache's excavation, told The Associated Press. "It will make us rethink the Dark Ages." The Anglo-Saxons were a group of Germanic tribes who invaded England starting in the wake of the collapse of the Roman Empire; they ruled England from the fifth century until the 1066 Norman invasion. The gold alone in the collection weighs 11 pounds and suggests that early medieval England was a far wealthier place than previously believed, according to Leslie Webster, the former curator of Anglo-Saxon archaeology at the British Museum. The crosses and other religious artifacts mixed in with the military items might shed new light on the relationship between Christianity and warfare among the Anglo-Saxons — in particular a large cross she said may have been carried into battle.
It is still unclear as to whether this was taken as war bounty or if for some reason it was buried with the intent of retrieval at some later date. Archeologists are looking for burial sites or other clues as to why so many items were buried underground.
Up to 65,000 people have visited Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery since items from the Staffordshire Hoard were put on temporary display last month. It will leave the British Museum in London to be assessed by the Treasure Valuation Committee. Once a market value has been established, museums will be able to bid for the collection. While much of the mud has been brushed off the 1,381 items, a proper investigation into the find will have to wait until a series of important procedures is completed. "Conservation cleaning is expensive and the costs can be massive and should not be undertaken lightly. You have to be pretty careful. Some of the objects appear to have missing pieces, but these pieces might be found in the mud that's clogged holes and openings."
Click here to take a look at the treasure for yourself!
Don't forget to sign up below for my weekly Bella Gems! delivered to your inbox!
| Etsy Buy Handmade unicorngem1994 |
