Staffordshire Hoard

Discovered in a field near the village of Hammerwich, near Lichfield, in Staffordshire, England on 5 July 2009,  it consists of more than 3,500 items, that are nearly all martial or warlike in character. 

The Staffordshire Hoard totals 5.094 kilos of gold, 1.442 kilos of silver and 3,500 cloisonn? garnets. There is nothing comparable in terms of content and quantity in the UK or mainland Europe. It is remarkable for being almost exclusively war-gear, with an extraordinary quantity of weapon hilt fittings, that is, decorative items from the handles of swords and knives. Many feature beautiful garnet inlays or animals in elaborate filigree. The artefacts have tentatively been dated to the 7th or 8th centuries, placing the origin of the items in the time of the Kingdom of Mercia. 

Since the find, a research and conservation programme, headed by leading and notable experts in the field, has been launched and will be underway for many years.

Visit the Staffordshire Hoard web site.

One of several mystery objects. Gold and garnet with interlace animal panels.