Hoard on Tour
Staffordshire Hoard on Tour at Lichfield Cathedral
This summer’s more than 40,000 people visited the Staffordshire Hoard on Tour exhibition. Featuring over forty star items from the Staffordshire Hoard, including some stunning newly cleaned and conserved items, the exhibition toured:
Shire Hall, Stafford
Visitors found out about how the hoard was discovered, what archaeological methods were used and how the soil revealed untold mysteries and stories. They also found out more about how achaeologists worked in secret to save the Staffordshire Hoard for the nation, and saw some of the equipment used to find it.
Lichfield Cathedral
Visitors uncovered the origins of Lichfield Cathedral, which are rooted in the time scholars believe the hoard was buried. They learned about about the heroic figure of St Chad, who helped to bring Christianity to Mercia. Visitors marvelled at the exquisite Anglo-Saxon treasure, the St Chad Gospels and the Lichfield Angel, and found out more about their possible links to the Staffordshire Hoard.
Tamworth Castle
Visitors discovered how Tamworth’s history is crammed with stories of intrigue and warfare. Once the ancient capital of Mercia, Tamworth was home to the King of Mercia’s palace. Visitors explored the power struggles, the battles, the blows and the bloodshed of the era.
Thank you to everyone who came along for your comments and feedback, which included:
‘Presentation was excellent’
‘I was overwhelmed by the amazing craftsmanship’
”What a wonderful exhibition – thank you!’
‘It was fantastic to see it on display so soon.’
So, where next for the Staffordshire Hoard?
This autumn and winter more than 100 artefacts from the Staffordshire Hoard collection will travel to Washington DC in the USA to form part of a new exhibition:
Anglo-Saxon Hoard: Gold from England’s Dark Ages
October 29, 2011 – March 4, 2012