Overview

The Staffordshire Hoard is one of the great discoveries of British archaeology, an unparalleled treasure of the early Anglo-Saxon period. Chanced upon in summer 2009, in an ordinary field north of Birmingham, its hundreds of objects of the 6th to 7th centuries AD amount to a total of 4kg of gold and 1.7kg of silver. An archaeological excavation at the site was followed by a dedicated research project to understand why this trove of warriors and kings was buried, and what part it had played in the bloody cauldron of conflict that shaped early England.   This book is an accessible account of the Staffordshire Hoard project and its findings. It tells of the discovery of the Hoard, the fundraising campaign to save it for the nation, and the scientific methods used to study it. Its many extraordinary objects are described in detail and lavishly illustrated: hundreds of gold, garnet and silver weapon fittings, unique sacred objects, Christian crosses, one magnificent helmet and more. The book also provides information on the places, people and events that place this remarkable find in context, with sections on the kingdom of Mercia and its neighbours, Anglo-Saxon warfare, religion, craft techniques and comparable archaeological sites.

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9781800854819

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Reviews

'This book is an important summary, both of the results of research on the hoard and of its significance. The inclusion of comparative material helps place it in context, and a neat time-chart shows the changing styles of metalwork within the hoard. This, along with a tabulation of the finds, gives an overview that is not otherwise easily available.' Kevin Leahy, Current Archaeology

'This book is an important summary, both of the results of research on the hoard and of its significance. The inclusion of comparative material helps place it in context, and a neat time-chart shows the changing styles of metalwork within the hoard. This, along with a tabulation of the finds, gives an overview that is not otherwise easily available.' Kevin Leahy, Current Archaeology 'A measured, highly informed and extremely well-illustrated description of the hoard, with some archaeology and history to put it into context, but without being eclipsed by wider aspects of the Anglo-Saxon world: it lives up to its title.' Mike Pitts, British Archaeology

Author Information

Chris Fern is an expert on the archaeology and artefacts of the early Anglo-Saxon period. He was the lead specialist for the Staffordshire Hoard (2011–19). Jenni Butterworth is a consultant for Drakon Heritage and Conservation. She has worked with the Staffordshire Hoard in various capacities since 2010.

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