Collections

Archaeology

The archaeology collection consists of physical remains from different periods which give us a better understanding of how our ancestors lived. Visit our new idigsheffield site here to discover more about the collection and the latest discoveries in South Yorkshire and the Peak District.

montage of archaeological images from the collection

Sheffield’s collection dates from the Palaeolithic age (about half million years ago) to the19th century and includes material from all over world. It is particularly strong in Neolithic, Bronze Age and Anglo-Saxon grave groups from the local region. Some of the most significant items in the collection were excavated by Thomas Bateman (1841-1861) in the Peak District, on the outskirts of Sheffield. It includes Anglo-Saxon burial assemblages, most notably the Benty Grange Helmet, the first Anglo-Saxon helmet to be found in Britain. A replica of the helmet was made in 1986 using similar materials and techniques to those available to the 7th century makers to recreate what the original may have looked like when it was new. We are currently unable to handle individual enquiries relating to the collections or object identification. For further useful contacts in the region click here. A Taste of the Collection

2 sword hilts
Left: 9th century sword found in the River Witham. The hilt and pommel are decorated by silver strips with Trewiddle style animal designs.
Right: 10th century sword from the River Idle, with silver sheeting with geometric designs on the pommel and guard.

Sumo wrestlers
Life sized wood carving made by a Japanese artist Hannanuma around 1890. Represents a famous bout between two Samurai warriors, Matano Goro and Kawatso Saburo, which took place in 1176.

Roman glass beaker
Glass beaker from eastern Mediterranean. 4th to 6th century.

Greek bowl
A Skyphos in Attic Red-figure ware. 500-300 BC.

Late Iron Age necklace
Late Iron Age Celtic torc or neck ring, bronze, found near Sheffield. 1st century AD.

Anglo Saxon beads
Group of Anglo-Saxon glass beads from burial sites in the Peak District.

medieval statue
Carved stone head of a male cleric from Beauchief Abbey. 13th or 14th century.

flint hand axe
Palaeolithic handaxe from Boscombe, c.200,000 years old

harpoon head
Cast of a barbed harpoon head, original in reindeer antler found at La Madelaine rock shelter in France in 1863, Upper Palaeolithic, c.30,000BC.

Useful Related Contacts in the Region
• For information about Archaeological Sites in South Yorkshire: South Yorkshire Archaeology Service Planning Transport & Highways Howden House 1 Union Street Sheffield S1 2SH 0114 2736428 • For information about Archaeological Sites in Derbyshire: Derbyshire Sires & Monuments Record Planning & Highways Department County Offices Matlock Derbyshire DE4 3AG 01629 580000 • For object identification: Karl Noble York & Lancaster Regimental Museum Walker Place Rotherham S65 1JH 01709 823635 www.karl.noble@rotherham.gov.uk Peter Robinson Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery Chequer Road Doncaster 01302 734293
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