Leominster hoard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leominster Hoard |
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|---|---|
| Created | 850-900 (deposited) |
| Period/culture | Viking |
| Discovered | 2015 Eye, near Leominster, Herefordshire, England |
The Leominster Hoard is a special collection of old coins and beautiful jewellery. It dates back to the Viking period in England. This amazing treasure was found near Leominster, Herefordshire, in June 2015. A "hoard" is a hidden collection of valuable items. People often buried hoards for safekeeping a long time ago.
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Discovering the Hoard
The Leominster Hoard was found by two metal detectorists, George Powell and Layton Davies. They used metal detectors to search for buried items. The discovery happened in 2015 near a place called Eye, Herefordshire. This area is close to Leominster.
When someone finds treasure in England, there are important rules to follow. These rules are part of the Treasure Act 1996. They say that finds must be reported within 14 days. This helps experts study and protect historical items. It also makes sure that museums can get these treasures. Unfortunately, not all the rules were followed when this hoard was found.
What Was in the Hoard?
The Leominster Hoard was originally very large. Experts believe it had about 300 coins. So far, 31 of these coins have been found. The hoard also included other valuable items. These were a silver bar, a special rock-crystal pendant, a gold bracelet, and a gold finger ring.
Most of these items were buried in the late 800s. The rock-crystal pendant is even older. It might be from the 400s or 500s. It is mounted in gold wire.
It is hard to know the exact value of the whole hoard. This is because many pieces are still missing. Some people who bought parts of the hoard thought it could be worth a lot of money.
Why Reporting Finds Matters
When historical treasures are found, it is very important to report them. This allows experts, like archaeologists, to study them properly. They can learn more about the past from these items. Reporting finds also helps museums get these treasures. This way, everyone can see and learn from them.
If finds are not reported, they might be sold to private collectors. This means the public cannot see them. It also makes it harder for historians to learn about our past. The rules for finding treasure help protect our shared history.
Bringing the Hoard Together
As of 2020, the Herefordshire Council Museum was working to get the parts of the hoard that had been found. Their goal is to bring the surviving pieces together. This will help preserve them for future generations.
The story of the Leominster Hoard has also been shared widely. In 2020, it was nominated for a special award. This was the 'Rescue Project of the Year' by Current Archaeology magazine. An expert named Peter Reavill also talked about the hoard on a BBC Radio 4 show. This show was called The Digital Human and focused on 'Treasures'.
