Latest news with #LeedsMuseums
Fox News
24-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Rare 1,200-year-old Christian cross found in field by metal detectorist
A city recently announced the discovery of a gilded Christian artifact dating back to the Early Middle Ages. In a statement published on May 12, the City of Leeds in the U.K. said the Saxon-era pendant was uncovered in a local field. It dates back over 1,200 years and was found by a metal detectorist last year. The "tiny Saxon treasure" has one broken arm, and the central stone it once held is now missing. But the city said the artifact is "nevertheless a stunning example of metalwork, made from solid silver covered with a thin layer of gold leaf." "Believed to date from the 8th century, the gilded pectoral cross may have once been a badge of office for an important church leader or official and was unearthed last year by a metal detectorist," the city said. "[The pendant] gives experts a fascinating glimpse into life in early medieval Yorkshire." Pictures show the small cross bearing an intricate interlacing pattern. Kat Baxter, a curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and Galleries, said the cross was likely worn by a high-status member of Saxon society, such as an important church leader or official. "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," the historian said. Baxter added, "It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity." She added that the cross was made when Leeds was part of Northumbria. Leeds was first mentioned in the 8th century by Saint Bede, a monk who recorded much of what historians know about the early history of the British Isles. The kingdom was affiliated with paganism until the 7th century A.D. It transitioned to Christianity after — making the cross an early remnant of Christianity in Leeds. "[A]long with a number of other discoveries in the area, it really helps us build a picture of the types of people who would have lived here during this time," Baxter said. "All of these finds are part of a puzzle, which together show that Leeds was home to high-status, important individuals during the Saxon period, and this beautiful cross is the latest glimpse into the past," Baxton added. "Unfortunately, objects representing less wealthy people are less likely to survive." Salma Arif, a member of the Leeds City Council, called the cross "a beautiful example of the history all around us." "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," she said. In addition to the Saxon cross, Leeds is home to many fascinating historical finds. The remains of an Ancient Roman aristocrat, for example, were found within city limits in 2023. Before that, over 600 19th-century beer bottles were found under a staircase in the city.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Saxon cross discovered in field to go on display
A Saxon pendant buried for more than 1,200 years, which was uncovered by a metal detectorist in Leeds, is to go on display in the city. The medieval solid silver cross, which has been gilded with a thin layer of gold leaf, was discovered in a field in 2024 and is to go on display at Leeds City Museum later this year. It is believed to date from the 8th Century and to have once been a badge of office for an important church leader or official. Leeds Museums and Galleries' curator of archaeology Kat Baxter said the pendant was made when Leeds was part of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. She said: "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. "It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity. "Along with a number of other discoveries in the area, it really helps us build a picture of the types of people who would have lived here during this time." The pectoral cross was found with one arm broken, and the central stone missing, but is decorated with an intricate interlacing Saxon pattern. Leeds Museums and Galleries said its discovery suggests Leeds and the surrounding area may once have been home to influential figures in the early medieval period. The earliest known written reference to Leeds, or Loidis, was made in the 8th Century by the historian and monk the Venerable Bede. The small artefact went through the Portable Antiquities Scheme Treasure process, and was secured by Leeds Museums and Galleries under the Treasure Act 1996. Funding came from the Arts Council England, V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, and the Friends of Leeds City Museums. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Detectorist unearths warrior's gold scabbard stud Detectorist's medieval ring find fetches £19,000
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Saxon cross discovered in Leeds field to be displayed in museum
A Saxon pendant buried for more than 1,200 years, which was uncovered by a metal detectorist in Leeds, is to go on display in the medieval solid silver cross, which has been gilded with a thin layer of gold leaf, was discovered in a field in 2024 and is to go on display at Leeds City Museum later this is believed to date from the 8th Century and to have once been a badge of office for an important church leader or Museums and Galleries' curator of archaeology Kat Baxter said the pendant was made when Leeds was part of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria. She said: "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."It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity."Along with a number of other discoveries in the area, it really helps us build a picture of the types of people who would have lived here during this time." The pectoral cross was found with one arm broken, and the central stone missing, but is decorated with an intricate interlacing Saxon Museums and Galleries said its discovery suggests Leeds and the surrounding area may once have been home to influential figures in the early medieval earliest known written reference to Leeds, or Loidis, was made in the 8th Century by the historian and monk the Venerable small artefact went through the Portable Antiquities Scheme Treasure process, and was secured by Leeds Museums and Galleries under the Treasure Act came from the Arts Council England, V&A Purchase Grant Fund, the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, and the Friends of Leeds City Museums. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Leeds hippo helps experts reveal science behind whiskers
A 100-year-old stuffed hippo has helped biologists better understand how mammals use their a former resident of London Zoo in the 1920s, was taken out of the Leeds Museums archives and studied as part of analysis at Leeds Discovery Centre into the inner workings of biologist Dr Robyn A Grant, from the University of Manchester, said it was "the very first time" hippopotamus whiskers had been examined in such close Grant said: "Large aquatic species, like hippos, walruses and manatees, have hundreds of very small whiskers. While walruses and manatees have been studied a little, hippo whiskers have never been looked at." Dr Grant, who researches the diversity of whisker numbers and arrangements across mammals, explained: "Working with zoos and museums such as Leeds Discovery Centre, we are trying to understand how the whiskers are arranged, and what the animals use them for." Whiskers, also known by the scientific name vibrissae, are sensitive, coarse hairs located on the face and used to sense the surrounding the hippo was acquired by Leeds Museums in 1938, and has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment to restore him to his original to the Discovery Centre, many older taxidermy specimens were missing whiskers due to age or bad the Leeds collection - home to more than 6,000 taxidermy mammals - are chinchillas, harp seals and coypu, a large South American rodent. Many of the taxidermy animals were collected in the early 20th Century, when deceased animals were often purchased by taxidermists before being stuffed and Burhouse, Leeds Museums and Galleries curator of natural sciences, said the research into whiskers demonstrated the importance of taxidermy collections."We're delighted Billie and our collection have been able to support such a fascinating research project, which could help our understanding of how hippos and other animals use whiskers to interact with their environment," she said."It's amazing that these specimens, some collected more than a century ago, can still tell us so much about the natural world and help inform our understanding of how we can protect vulnerable species today and in the future." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
