The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found, with over 4,000 items. Archaeologists believe the Hoard was buried during the 7th century (600-699 CE), at a time when the region was part of the Kingdom of Mercia. The Hoard is unique as it is almost entirely made up of war gear. The metalworkers were very skilled, and the items are highly decorative.
The Hoard was jointly acquired by the Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Birmingham City Council after it was discovered by a metal detectorist in 2009, near Lichfield, Staffordshire.
The discovery is still transforming our knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon era. Parts of the collection are on display at Birmingham Museums Trust and The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent.
