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Treasure hunter strikes gold with 1,000-year-old discovery linked to ‘Hand of God’
Nick Berry, a metal detectorist from Northampton, has found a small gold pendant on farmland in Hampshire that experts believe may depict the Christian “Hand of God”. The ninth- or 10th-century object has been declared treasure and sent to the British Museum for examination, making it a notable addition to Britain’s archaeological finds.
Berry said the pendant was in near-pristine condition and gave a strong signal when he detected it. It weighs 1.6g, may have been worn as a necklace by someone of high status, and could be worth a five- or six-figure sum in pounds; if a museum acquires it, Berry and the landowner may receive a payment based on its value.
In short
- Metal detectorist Nick Berry found a gold pendant in Hampshire.
- Experts think it may represent the Christian “Hand of God”.
- The ninth- or 10th-century find has been declared treasure.
Explained simply
The pendant is a small gold object found by metal detectorist Nick Berry on farmland in Hampshire. Experts think it may show the “Hand of God”, a Christian symbol, and date from the ninth or 10th century, when England was divided among several kingdoms.
Its age and material suggest it may have been worn as a necklace by someone of high status, though its exact purpose is not known. It has been declared treasure and sent to the British Museum for examination; if a museum acquires it, the finder and landowner may share a payment based on its assessed value.
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