A rare cross-shaped pendant, believed to be more than 1,200 years old, has been discovered in a field near Leeds in northern England, UK.
A metal detectorist found the finely decorated object, helping researchers better understand life during the early medieval period.
The pendant is solid silver and covered in a thin layer of gold. Despite damage to one arm and the loss of its center stone, experts say the piece is a strong example of early Saxon craftsmanship. Both sides are carved with detailed patterns believed to reflect the skill of Saxon artists.
Researchers believe the pendant belonged to a high-ranking individual, possibly a church leader, and was created when Leeds was part of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria.
An ancient Saxon pendant buried for more than 1,200 years in a Leeds field is giving experts a fascinating glimpse into life in early medieval Yorkshire. The gilded cross may have been a badge of office & was unearthed by a metal detectorsit. It’ll go on display @LeedsCityMuseum pic.twitter.com/60pfieUyl3
— Victoria Whittam (@vicwhittamITV) May 13, 2025
“It was made at a time when Leeds was part of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria,” said Kat Baxter, curator of archaeology at Leeds Museums and Galleries. “These finds are part of a puzzle which, together, show that Leeds was home to high-status, important individuals during the Saxon period.”
Leeds Museums and Galleries officially acquired the pendant with support 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,” said Councillor Salma Arif, executive member for public health and active lifestyles at Leeds City Council.
This discovery demonstrates the rich and deep history of Leeds. The pendant will go on display later this year at Leeds City Museum.
Its discovery adds to a growing list of important archaeological finds in the Leeds area. In recent years, researchers uncovered a cemetery near Garforth containing more than 60 burials from the late Roman and early Saxon periods.
Among the most notable was a lead coffin, buried for more than 1,600 years, holding the remains of a woman believed to be between 25 and 35 years old.
She was buried with jewelry, including bracelets, a glass bead necklace, and a ring or an earring—items suggesting she belonged to the upper class.
Finds like these help researchers learn about burial customs, social roles, and the lives of powerful individuals in early Yorkshire. However, many everyday objects from less wealthy people have not survived the centuries.
Baxter explained that without responsible metal detectorists and the Portable Antiquities Scheme, pieces like this pendant might never be found or preserved.
In 2012, the museum acquired the West Yorkshire Hoard, a collection of seventh-to eleventh-century gold jewelry linked to elite Saxon society. Together, these finds offer a richer view of the people who once lived in the region now known as Leeds.
