Largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold found
Largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold found
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Thursday, 24, Sep 2009 10:12
By Richard James.
Archaeologists have uncovered the largest ever hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold in a Lancashire field.
In pictures: Anglo-Saxon hoard
Around 1,500 pieces were recovered, including weapons, coins and ornate crosses.
Click here to read an interview with the man whose job it is to catalogue the vast hoard
In total the hoard adds up to 5kg of gold - three times the amount found at the famous Sutton Hoo ship burial in 1939.
The first artefacts, which date back to the 7th Century, were found back in July by amateur metal detector Terry Herbert.
Commenting, Leslie Webster, former keeper of the department of prehistory at the British Museum said: "This is going to alter our perceptions of Anglo-Saxon England as radically, if not more so, as the Sutton Hoo discoveries."
Mr Herbert, 55, came across the hoard as he searched a field belonging to a friend. The exact location, however, has not been disclosed.
The artifacts are set to go on display at Birmingham City Museum later today.
A coroner's inquest earlier ruled the hoard could be declared treasure. As a result, the items now belong to the Crown, meaning Mr Herbert will be eligible for a "finder's fee" which could be up to half the value of the hoard.