Staffordshire helmet facts for kids
The Staffordshire helmet is a very special Anglo-Saxon helmet. It was found in 2009 as part of the amazing Staffordshire Hoard. This hoard is the biggest collection of gold and silver items from that time ever found in Britain! The helmet is important because it's only the sixth Anglo-Saxon helmet ever discovered.
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What is the Staffordshire Helmet?
The Staffordshire helmet is an ancient piece of armor. It was made by the Anglo-Saxons, who lived in England a long time ago. This helmet was likely worn by a very important person, maybe a king or a powerful warrior. About a third of all the precious pieces found in the Staffordshire Hoard came from this single helmet.
A Rare Find
Finding an Anglo-Saxon helmet is extremely rare. Before the Staffordshire helmet was discovered, only five others were known. These include helmets found at Benty Grange, Sutton Hoo, Coppergate, Wollaston, and Shorwell. This makes the Staffordshire helmet a truly unique and valuable discovery.
Where is the Helmet Now?
After it was found, the Staffordshire helmet and the rest of the hoard were bought by two museums together. These are the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. The helmet is still being carefully looked after and put back together by experts. This process is called conservation work.
When Was It Made?
Experts believe the helmet was made a very long time ago. They think it dates back to around AD 600-650. This means it is over 1,300 years old!
Seeing the Helmet
Because the original helmet is so old and delicate, special copies have been made. Two replicas of this amazing helmet are on display. You can see them in the museums in Birmingham and Stoke. This way, many people can learn about and admire this incredible piece of history.
