Discovery of Horncastle Boar's Head

Date: May 1, 2002 • Location: Rome, Italy

The Horncastle boar's head (pictured), which probably once formed part of the crest of an Anglo-Saxon helmet, was found.

The Horncastle boar's head is an early seventh-century Anglo-Saxon ornament depicting a boar that probably was once part of the crest of a helmet. It was discovered in 2002 by a metal detectorist searching in the town of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. It was reported as found treasure and acquired for £15,000 by the Lincoln City and County Museum—now Lincoln Museum—where it is on permanent display.