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Cover Story

Grades 4-6

A Historic Discovery

Andrea Delbanco

A treasure hunter finds ancient gold and silver objects in a field in England.

Terry Herbert, 55, has hunted for treasure using a metal detector for the past 18 years. In that time, he's never found anything especially valuable. But on July 5, his luck changedoalong with historians' view of Britain's history. In a field in Staffordshire, England, Herbert found a trove of ancient artifacts. The find was announced on September 24. Archaeologists are awed by the size of the discovery. More than 1,300 pieces have been unearthed.

The Not-So-Dark Ages

The artifacts are thought to date between 675 and 725, in a period that is sometimes called the Dark Ages. The time was marked by frequent fighting. The gold in the collection weighs 11 pounds. That suggests that England during the Dark Ages was richer than historians thought.

Anglo-Saxons ruled England from the fifth century to 1066. Much of the loot is military, including parts of helmets and swords. Other artifacts are religious, including crosses and gold engraved with biblical writings.

Why were the gold and silver buried? Archaeologists believe it could have been an effort to hide the loot from enemies, a common practice at the time.

The find could become one of Britain's top treasures. So far, archaeologists have examined 1,345 items and there are still more to come.

Herbert says that striking gold was "more fun than winning the lottery." It may pay better, too. The collection, which could be worth more than $1.5 million, will likely be sold to a museum. Herbert and the friend who owns the field where the treasure was buried will split the spoils.

Next: No Bullies Allowed!