LEEDS — May 23, 2024 —
A recently unearthed Saxon pendant is set to become a major attraction at leeds City Museum. Discovered in a field in 2024, the medieval gold-leaf cross provides a tangible link to the 8th century. The intricate design and valuable materials suggest it was worn by someone of high status. For more details, check the museum’s upcoming exhibitions.
Centuries-Old Saxon Pendant Unearthed in Leeds Set to Captivate Museum Visitors
A Glimpse into Medieval Northumbria
A remarkable piece of history, a Saxon pendant, is poised to grace the halls of Leeds City Museum later this year. Discovered in a field in 2024 by a metal detectorist, this medieval solid silver cross, adorned with a delicate layer of gold leaf, offers a tangible connection to the 8th Century.
Did you know? The Kingdom of Northumbria, where Leeds was situated during the Saxon period, was a major center of culture and learning. Monasteries like Lindisfarne produced illuminated manuscripts that are still admired today.
Experts believe the pendant served as a badge of office
for a prominent church leader or official,reflecting the religious and social hierarchies of the time.
Unearthing Leeds’ Saxon past
Kat Baxter,curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and galleries,emphasizes the pendant’s significance in understanding the region’s history.She notes that the cross dates back to when Leeds was part of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria.
The cross is beautifully decorated on both sides,which suggests it was designed to hang around the neck with the suspension loop on the missing arm.
Kat baxter, curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and Galleries
The intricate design and precious materials indicate that it would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity.
pro Tip: When viewing historical artifacts, consider the context in which they were created. What materials were available? What technologies were used? This can deepen your appreciation for the object and the people who made it.
The revelation, along with others in the area, helps paint a more vivid picture of the people who inhabited Leeds during this era.
A Missing Stone and Intricate Patterns
Though missing its central stone and with one arm broken, the pectoral cross showcases an elaborate interlacing Saxon pattern. This detail underscores the craftsmanship and artistry prevalent during the period.
Reader Question: What othre types of artifacts might be found in the Leeds area that could further illuminate its Saxon past?
Leeds Museums and Galleries suggests that this find indicates Leeds and its surroundings were once home to influential figures in the early medieval period. The earliest known written reference to Leeds, or Loidis, dates back to the 8th century, penned by the Venerable Bede, a historian and monk.
Acquisition and Preservation
The artifact underwent the Portable Antiquities Scheme Treasure process and was acquired by Leeds Museums and Galleries under the treasure Act 1996. Funding for the acquisition was provided by Arts Council England, V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, and the Friends of Leeds City Museums.
