Uploaded October 2014 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A unique scientific study conducted at the British Museum has revealed insights into the world of Anglo Saxon goldsmiths.
For the first time researchers have shown that these unknown craftsmen used sophisticated techniques to improve the colour of the gold by removing alloyed metals such as copper and silver from the surface of these objects in a process called “depletion”. This was a highly skilled task and scientists are unsure how it was achieved.
It also seems that items made for warriors had a higher gold content than women’s items such as jewellery.
A unique scientific study conducted at the British Museum has revealed insights into the world of Anglo Saxon goldsmiths.
For the first time researchers have shown that these unknown craftsmen used sophisticated techniques to improve the colour of the gold by removing alloyed metals such as copper and silver from the surface of these objects in a process called “depletion”. This was a highly skilled task and scientists are unsure how it was achieved.
It also seems that items made for warriors had a higher gold content than women’s items such as jewellery.
