A rare early medieval gold object, uncovered by a student archaeologist in northern England, will go on public display as part of a major new exhibition showcasing some of the region’s most remarkable finds.
Discovered in 2025 in Redesdale, Northumberland, the 9th-century artefact was found by Newcastle University student Yara Souza during a field excavation. Souza made the discovery within just 90 minutes of beginning work on site, while participating in a training dig alongside fellow students and professional archaeologists.
The gold object will now be one of the highlights of Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found, a new exhibition which opened last month at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Bringing together finds from across Northern Britain, the exhibition spans thousands of years of history, from Roman silver to Tudor coins and Anglo-Saxon gold.
“We are delighted to unite these incredible archaeological finds from across the North for our latest exhibition,” says Malavika Anderson, Museum Manager at the Great North Museum: Hancock. “From Roman silver discovered along Hadrian’s Wall to 9th-century gold found by a Newcastle University student, this is a rare opportunity to see these scattered treasures displayed alongside one another. We can’t wait for people to experience the thrill of these finds and the fascinating stories they reveal about our shared past.”
Among the standout pieces is the Tribley shield, a bronze artefact originally unearthed in the 18th century near Chester-le-Street. Remarkably preserved for thousands of years, the shield was split into three parts after its discovery so that its metal could be shared among friends. Today, two of those pieces have been reunited, offering an important glimpse into the region’s distant past.
“This exhibition provides us with a great opportunity to tell some of the exciting treasure stories from our region and beyond,” says Andrew Parkin, Keeper of Archaeology at the Great North Museum: Hancock. “I’m especially pleased we are able to display some impressive treasure finds from Scotland, like the Birnie coin hoard, that help tell the story of Rome’s northern frontier, shedding light on Roman relationships with peoples living north of Hadrian’s Wall.
“The exhibition also gives us the chance to display some of our own impressive treasures alongside items from the British Museum, highlighting the strength of the archaeological collections in the Great North Museum: Hancock.”
Loans from the British Museum, National Museum of Scotland, and Vindolanda will further enrich the display, offering new perspectives on the shared heritage of Northern Britain.
In addition to the artefacts themselves, the exhibition will explore the people and methods behind archaeological discovery, presented through a multi-sensory experience aimed at visitors of all ages.
Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found runs from 28 March to 20 September 2026, with free admission. The opening weekend will feature a family-friendly launch event, followed by a programme of themed activities, curator tours, and educational experiences throughout its run. Click here to learn more.
Top Image: The 9th century gold object discovered in Northumberland – photo courtesy Newcastle University
A rare early medieval gold object, uncovered by a student archaeologist in northern England, will go on public display as part of a major new exhibition showcasing some of the region’s most remarkable finds.
Discovered in 2025 in Redesdale, Northumberland, the 9th-century artefact was found by Newcastle University student Yara Souza during a field excavation. Souza made the discovery within just 90 minutes of beginning work on site, while participating in a training dig alongside fellow students and professional archaeologists.
The gold object will now be one of the highlights of Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found, a new exhibition which opened last month at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Bringing together finds from across Northern Britain, the exhibition spans thousands of years of history, from Roman silver to Tudor coins and Anglo-Saxon gold.
“We are delighted to unite these incredible archaeological finds from across the North for our latest exhibition,” says Malavika Anderson, Museum Manager at the Great North Museum: Hancock. “From Roman silver discovered along Hadrian’s Wall to 9th-century gold found by a Newcastle University student, this is a rare opportunity to see these scattered treasures displayed alongside one another. We can’t wait for people to experience the thrill of these finds and the fascinating stories they reveal about our shared past.”
Among the standout pieces is the Tribley shield, a bronze artefact originally unearthed in the 18th century near Chester-le-Street. Remarkably preserved for thousands of years, the shield was split into three parts after its discovery so that its metal could be shared among friends. Today, two of those pieces have been reunited, offering an important glimpse into the region’s distant past.
“This exhibition provides us with a great opportunity to tell some of the exciting treasure stories from our region and beyond,” says Andrew Parkin, Keeper of Archaeology at the Great North Museum: Hancock. “I’m especially pleased we are able to display some impressive treasure finds from Scotland, like the Birnie coin hoard, that help tell the story of Rome’s northern frontier, shedding light on Roman relationships with peoples living north of Hadrian’s Wall.
“The exhibition also gives us the chance to display some of our own impressive treasures alongside items from the British Museum, highlighting the strength of the archaeological collections in the Great North Museum: Hancock.”
Loans from the British Museum, National Museum of Scotland, and Vindolanda will further enrich the display, offering new perspectives on the shared heritage of Northern Britain.
In addition to the artefacts themselves, the exhibition will explore the people and methods behind archaeological discovery, presented through a multi-sensory experience aimed at visitors of all ages.
Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found runs from 28 March to 20 September 2026, with free admission. The opening weekend will feature a family-friendly launch event, followed by a programme of themed activities, curator tours, and educational experiences throughout its run. Click here to learn more.
Top Image: The 9th century gold object discovered in Northumberland – photo courtesy Newcastle University
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