Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery have organised a season of Sunday afternoon lectures on the Staffordshire Hoard. These lectures will address four very different aspects of the hoard from its initial discovery and study, the conservation work being undertaken, and what it all means for Mercia and Britain in the Early Medieval Period. It is expected that demand for places will be high so book early to avoid disappointment !!!

The Lectures:

Sunday 22nd April, 2pm-3pm The Finding of the Hoard – the Early Days’ – A talk with Dr Kevin Leahy

In this talk Dr. Kevin Leahy, the National Adviser of Early Medieval Metalwork for the Portable Antiquities Scheme, discusses the exciting early days when the Hoard was discovered in a muddy field by a local metal detector, drawing upon the processes of finding archaeological material to uncovering its fascinating history.

Sunday 20th May, 2pm-3pm Behind the Scenes at the Museum: Studying the Staffordshire Hoard

This talk is a rare opportunity to learn from the experts more about the Conservation of the Staffordshire Hoard. The talk will be led by Deborah Magnoler, a conservator working on the Hoard, and Dr. David Symons, Curator of Antiquities and Numismatics.

Sunday 22nd July, 2pm-3pm Warfare and Violence: the Making of Mercia

During the Anglo-Saxon period Staffordshire, where the hoard was discovered, was the centre of the Kingdom of Mercia. Join Dr Morn Capper in this talk about the historical context behind the Staffordshire Hoard.

Sunday 18th August, 2pm-3pm The Hoard as a Window onto England in the age of the Conversion to Christianity

In this talk Professor Nicholas Brooks delves deeper into the context of the Staffordshire Hoard, looking at how religion was going through a process of change during this period in Britain and how the Hoard pieces can illustrate these changes.

All talks will take place in the Waterhall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Tickets are £6 per person. Advanced booking is advised for these events. To book your ticket contact the box office on 0121 303 1966 or book on-line at www.bmag.org.uk.   For further information please contact Julia Kirby (julia.kirby@birmingham.gov.uk or 0121 303 2836)