The standard of preservation is remarkable and the anonymous finder knew immediately he had chanced upon a spectacular piece of history Photo: BNPS.co.uk
Posted on 08/09/2008 10:42:09 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
A treasure hunter using a metal detector has discovered a pure gold cross dating from the 7th century - and worth at least £25,000.
The Anglo Saxon artefact is set with red gemstones and might have originally held a relic such as bone from a Disciple or fragment of the Cross.
Measuring just over an inch long, the 18 carat gold cross has been decorated with fine detail and is thought to have been worn as a pendant.
It is English made with gold that was probably melted down from Merovingian French coins.
Two of the red cabochon gemstones are missing as is the relic that would have been kept in its centre.
The red stones are among the world's most ancient gems and were used by ancient Greeks who called them granatum, the same word they used for pomegranate seeds.
The standard of preservation is remarkable and the anonymous finder knew immediately he had chanced upon a spectacular piece of history from an early English Christian.
He discovered the 1,400-year-old cross 12ins beneath the sod on a farm in Nottinghamshire.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
The standard of preservation is remarkable and the anonymous finder knew immediately he had chanced upon a spectacular piece of history Photo: BNPS.co.uk
So when is the gov’t going to come in and seize it?
Probably already have.
Bejeweled Anglo-Saxon Burial Suggests Cult
Discovery News | 4-11-2—8 | Jennifer Viegas
Posted on 04/11/2008 8:55:41 AM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2000092/posts
Rare find for metal detector (Anglo Saxon Misc. Treasures-UK)
EveningStar | 22 Aug 2006 | EveningStar
Posted on 08/22/2006 8:17:34 PM PDT by Marius3188
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1688402/posts
Devon Treasure Hunters Strike Rich Seam (Viking Gold)
The Telegraph (UK) | 12-17-2005 | Western Daily Press
Posted on 12/19/2005 11:27:36 AM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1543450/posts
|
|
|||
Gods |
There are more details in the full article, in particular, the pending disposition of ownership and such. |
||
|
· Mirabilis · Texas AM Anthropology News · Yahoo Anthro & Archaeo · · History or Science & Nature Podcasts · Excerpt, or Link only? · cgk's list of ping lists · |
|||
Very cool!!
Beautiful.
This is a long way of not quite saying the stones are red garnets. They're probably of the pyrope species from well known deposits in Bohemia (now the Chech Republic). The garnet deposits extend into present day Germany as well.
There's a spectacular display of Bohemian garnet cloisonne used to decorate Wuffing artifacts of King Raedwald on exhibit at the British Museum. It was found with the famous Sutton Hoo ship burial treasure in 1939. Sutton Hoo Treasure
Has Spain claimed it yet?
Thanks!
History Unearthed (Viking Hoard)
Chester Chronicle | 12-3-2004
Posted on 12/03/2004 3:53:30 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1293958/posts
Treasure Found In Viking Market
BBC | 2-2-2005
Posted on 02/02/2005 10:15:42 AM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1334376/posts
Cool, and fairly tiny, a mere inch across. The graphic is way over actual size.
Wow. That’s some beautiful work. Thanks for posting that.
Why does it say ‘Made in China’ on the back?
Does the spelling of Czech as Chech have significance or is that the “typical” FR misspelling.
It means I made a typo in a late-night post and didn’t proof carefully enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
