I Dig Sheffield | Digging Around Sheffield and the Peaks

Dimensions : Height to crown 20.5cm, height to boar's back 24.5cm. Circumference 75cm.

Site name : Benty Grange
Site type : Burial site

Time period : Anglo-Saxon
Material : Iron; Gemstone; Silver; Bronze; Gold; Metal
Object type : Grave goods; Personal item
Museum number : J93.1189

When this helmet was excavated in 1848, Thomas Bateman immediately realised that it was more than just a few pieces of ironwork. He recognised that it was the framework of a helmet and described it in his records. "The helmet consists of a skeleton formed of iron bands, radiating from the crown of the head, and riveted to a circle of the same metal, which encompassed the brow...". He also realised that the framework was covered by horn plates.

In 1948, the helmet remains were sent to the British Museum laboratories for detailed examination and cleaning. Parts of the helmet had continued to corrode over the previous hundred years. Features described by Bateman were no longer visible.

Examination and cleaning of the iron pieces confirmed Bateman's descriptions of the framework. Remains of mineralised horn were identified on some of the iron pieces. The grain of the horn suggested that the plates were mounted at right angles to the four structural iron bands. This would have given a chevron pattern to the horn plates.

The examination also recorded details of each piece of iron. The number and position of the various rivets holding the whole thing together were recorded. The opportunity was also taken to investigate the boar and the cross.

After returning from treatment, the surviving pieces of the helmet were mounted onto a perspex frame. This gives an accurate impression of the shape and form of the helmet. It can be compared with the replica.

Find out more...

Bibliography :
Bateman, T. , 1861
Bruce-Mitford, R. and Luscombe, M. R. , 1974

Glossary:
Anglo-Saxon
Excavation
Mineralised
Rivet
Thomas Bateman

Related objects
Replica of the helmet from Benty Grange
Watercolour showing the helmet from Benty Grange
One of the boar's eyes from the Benty Grange helmet
Painting of Thomas Bateman and son

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