Jewels were treasure - inquest (From The Northern Echo)

Jewels were treasure - inquest

3:51pm Monday 13th October 2008

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JEWELLERY believed to have once belonged to Anglo Saxon royalty has been declared as treasure trove.

The spectacular haul was discovered by archaeologist Stephen Sherlock during a dig in a farmer's fields, near Loftus, east Cleveland.

Mr Sherlock, who has been helped by volunteers from Teesside Archaeological Society, spent three summers working on the burial ground where the treasure was found in five graves. In total the site contained 109 graves.

The most significant burial is believed to be that of a princess connected to the Northumbrian Royal family from the 7th century.

A hoard of brooches, pendants and beads were uncovered in superb condition along with a gold brooch - a bracteate.

Yesterday, Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield declared the find to be treasure trove after hearing that a substantial amount of the jewellery was made up of gold and silver.

"This find is not only of importance to the region it is of national significance," said Mr Sherlock. "The most important grave is linked to the Northumbrian royal family that makes it even more significant.

"I have worked on an Anglo Saxon cemetery before so I didn't expect to find anything this important. You just don't expect to find jewellery of this high standard in graves.

"One of the pieces is unique and the rest are comparable with finds made at Anglo Saxon sites in the south of the country."

The quality of the jewellery was assessed by specialists at Durham University and Dr Rob Collins, the British Museum Finds Liaison Officer for the North East, worked closely with Mr Sherlock following the discovery.

Dr Collins said: "There is not a lot of Anglo Saxon evidence in the North-East despite the writings of Bede, so when a cemetery is found it is always of massive interest in the region.

"However, this site is exceptional because it would appear that it is the burial site of a member of the Northumbrian royal family."

The value of the treasure trove will be decided by a panel of experts by the end of the year.

Kirkleatham Museum, near Redcar, is hoping to be able to purchase the items and put them on permanent display.

Anyone wanting information about any antiquities or treasures they have unearthed can visit finds.org.uk

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