A rare and intricately decorated Saxon pendant shaped like a cross was discovered in a field near Leeds, northern England, by a metal detectorist, according to Archaeology Magazine. Experts believe the pendant dates to the eighth century CE, and it is thought to have belonged to a high-status individual, possibly a church official, and may have served as a badge for an important church leader. The find offers a rare glimpse into the religious life and elite culture of Northumbria more than 1,200 years ago.
The small cross pendant is made from solid silver covered with a thin layer of gold leaf and is carved with intricate interlacing Saxon patterns on both sides. Despite damage to one arm and the loss of its central stone, the pendant is considered an example of early medieval craftsmanship.
"It was made at a time when Leeds was part of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, and alongside a number of other discoveries in the area, it helps us build a picture of the kinds of people who lived here during this time," said Kat Baxter, curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and Galleries, according to Medievalists.net. "These finds are part of a puzzle which together show that Leeds was home to high-status, important individuals during the Saxon period."
The acquisition of the pendant was supported by funding from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, and the Friends of Leeds City Museums. "It's always wonderful when we are able to add important objects like this to our collections, and we're very grateful for the continued support of funders and visitors in helping us to preserve our local heritage," said Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for public health and active lifestyles at Leeds City Council, according to Medievalists.net.
The pendant will go on public display later this year at Leeds City Museum. "This find is a beautiful example of the history all around us and gives a fascinating insight into the story of Leeds," Arif added.
The discovery is part of a string of archaeological finds that have provided deeper insight into life in early medieval Yorkshire. The region is first mentioned in writing as Loidis by the Venerable Bede in the eighth century.
The discovery of the cross is the latest in a series of Saxon and Roman discoveries in the Leeds area, including a late Roman and early Saxon cemetery uncovered two years ago. The cemetery site contained the remains of over 60 individuals from the late Roman to early Saxon periods. Among the notable finds was a lead coffin buried for over 1,600 years discovered near Garforth, which included the remains of a woman aged 25 to 35.
The woman in the lead coffin was buried with jewelry, including bracelets, a necklace made of glass beads, and a ring or earring. These artifacts, alongside the recently discovered pendant, contribute information about elite society and burial practices of the time.
"Unfortunately, objects representing less wealthy people are less likely to survive," Baxter noted. The preservation of items like the pendant owes much to the efforts of responsible metal detectorists and the Portable Antiquities Scheme. "Without them, this beautiful piece of Saxon metalwork, and many others like it, would never have been found and made available for future generations," she emphasized.
In 2012, Leeds Museums and Galleries acquired the West Yorkshire Hoard, a collection of seventh- to eleventh-century artifacts that includes five pieces of gold jewelry of a quality associated with elite Saxon society. These acquisitions collectively enhance our understanding of the region's history during the Saxon period.
The pendant was acquired through the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Treasure Act process.