More Staffordshire Hoard Items Discovered

After the Staffordshire field at Hammerwich had been ploughed again last month, archeologists examined it again and discovered a new wealth of artefacts of the Anglo-Saxon period. In July 2009 the same field yielded 3,900 items, which are known worldwide as the Staffordshire Hoard. This time the scale is smaller, but the surprising fact is that many new pieces fit with parts found earlier. It means that the hoard is essentially the same. Some parts had been buried at a deeper level and were not excavated in 2009.
The 90 metalwork items include a helmet cheek piece, an eagle shaped mount, a gold and garnet cross, as well as a whole array of very small parts that weigh less than a gram. All of them are now examined and x-rayed.
The original Staffordshire Hoard is on display in Stoke-on-Trent and Birmingham. Its gold and silver artefacts are dated to the 7th and 8th centuries. It was discovered by Terry Herbert. The hoard is rather enigmatic in nature, because there is no grave or hut nearby. This might be war booty, since most of the items seem to be part of warrior equipment. Many of the objects were twisted.
Archeologists say they would like to go back in a couple of years and have a look at the Staffordshire field when it is ploughed again.