Staffordshire Hoard, Archaeological find in Staffordshire, England

The Staffordshire Hoard is an archaeological treasure found near Lichfield in England, comprising several thousand Anglo-Saxon metal objects. The collection consists mainly of gilded silver, gold, and decorated weapon parts discovered in a field in 2009.

A metal detectorist discovered the first pieces in July 2009, leading to extensive excavations that brought hundreds more objects to light. Most items date from the seventh and eighth centuries and were probably buried during or after warfare.

The pieces carry tiny gold filigree work and garnet inlays that show how Anglo-Saxon craftspeople decorated precious weapons and equipment. Many objects were deliberately dismantled or bent before burial, pointing to ritual practices after battles.

The objects are permanently on display at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery as well as the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, where they are presented in specially designed exhibition spaces. Both museums offer explanations about individual finds and their meaning for Anglo-Saxon history.

Almost all pieces in the treasure originally belonged to weapons or armor, yet there are almost no everyday objects or female jewelry. The collection also holds a small inscription in Latin from the Book of Numbers, engraved in gold on a sword fitting.