Spearheaded by Barbican Research Associates, the new book has been written by conservators and a team of specialists in history and Anglo-Saxon archaeology. Illustrated throughout, the publication features full-colour photographs, maps and explanatory drawings.
Significant chapters in The Staffordshire Hoard: An Anglo-Saxon Treasure examine the decoration and meaning of the Hoard’s intricate ornaments, the techniques employed by Anglo-Saxon craftsmen, the religious and historical background of the objects and the context of hoarding practice in Britain and across Europe.
Treasures of the Hoard
Historic England has played a pivotal role in funding and facilitating work since the hoard’s 2009 discovery. The organisation has now also put support in place to allow the book to made available in a Print on Demand version. An Open Access version will also be made available free in future via OAPEN and ADS.
The joint owners of the Hoard on behalf of the public, Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent City Councils, have perpetually worked alongside Birmingham Museums Trust and The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery to ensure the legacy of the treasure is carefully managed.
Dr. Ellen McAdam, director of Birmingham Museums Trust, said the book “represents the outcome of years of conservation, analysis and systematic study of the Hoard fragments, and like all archaeological monographs is also testimony to the blood, sweat, toil and tears of the editorial team. It will be an authoritative resource for research for years to come.”
The results of ten years’ worth of research have been compiled in the book which will be made available alongside a comprehensive database hosted by the Archaeology Data Service. It is hoped that the resources will give the public – whether or not they have engaged with the Hoard previously – unparalleled access to its cultural significance.
A launch event scheduled to coincide with a colloquium titled ‘Publishing the Staffordshire Treasure: impact and implications’ will be held on 1st November by the book’s publisher, Society of Antiquaries.
Ahead of the event, Paul Drury, president of the Society of Antiquaries, said: “Ever since the Staffordshire Hoard was discovered in July 2009, it has captured the imagination of scholars and the public alike, here and abroad.
“We are honoured to be publishing it in this magnificently illustrated monograph, the eightieth in our Research Report series established over a century ago. Thanks to the generosity of Historic England it is available at a price that we hope will make it readily accessible to a wide audience, as well as ultimately in digital form online.”
The Staffordshire Hoard remains on permanent display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery.
