Funding sought to keep Anglo Saxon treasure in Birmingham
Sep 25 2009 by Vicky Farncombe, Birmingham Post
Dr Kevin Leahy, from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, was given the painstaking task of cataloging the booty. He said it would fill in the gaps in our knowledge of the Anglo Saxon period.
“Anglo Saxon is seen as being an interlude between the Romans and the Medieval period. That’s how it’s perceived. Yet, in terms of years, it’s the largest period. It was when England was formed,” he said. “We have been asked if this is the largest hoard of Anglo Saxon materials ever found. Really it’s the only one we’ve ever found.
“It does not diminish the impact of Sutton Hoo. It provides a context for Sutton Hoo, a means of comparison. But the site is going to tell its own story.
“It’s the things that we don’t understand, the things that we have to work at that will give us the real advance in knowledge. It’s going to be so interesting getting to the bottom of this muddle.”
The hoard was officially declared treasure at a Staffordshire inquest yesterday and will now be valued by the British Museum, a process which will involve another marathon collaboration between experts. Their best guess is “millions”.
Andrew Haigh, coroner for South Staffordshire, ruled the 1,345 items, mostly of gold and silver from ancient weaponry, should be classified as treasure and called for them to go on public display.
Mr Haigh said: “This is a fantastic find in the context of history and we shouldn’t forget the hundreds who died for this hoard to be amassed.
“It’s been in the ground for 1,300 years and I hope now the treasure can go on public display in this country or hopefully in this region.
“I would also like to congratulate the finder for finding them and reporting them. I’m delighted to say he had a written agreement with the landowner.”
Meanwhile, curators at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, in conjunction with partners from across the Midlands including Staffordshire County Council, were yesterday starting the process of bidding for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to allow the impressive haul to remain in the city.
Rita McLean, head of Birmingham museums, predicted it could become a major coup for the city on the same lines as the Book of Kells in Trinity College, Dublin.
“I think it will lift the profile of Birmingham,” she said. “It will be a fascinating display and would become a major tourist attraction.”
Birmingham council leader Mike Whitby said: “It’s only right and proper that the artefacts remain in the region they were found.”
Professor Vince Gaffney, director of research and archeology at the University of Birmingham, said the find placed the West Midlands at the heart of historical debate.
“You can’t exaggerate how important this will be, and as we find out more, this haul will simply grow in importance,” he said.
Birmingham’s heritage champion Peter Douglas Osborn said the discovery is evidence that the Midlands is the birthplace of England.
“This is such an impressive haul that it is clear evidence that Mercia would have been the most important kingdom in Anglo-Saxon Britain and the name of England comes from the Angles,” he said.
The most important pieces will be on display at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery from tomorrow until Tuesday October 13.
