UK treasure hunters jailed for stealing Viking-era hoard

LONDON (AP) — Two amateur British treasure-hunters have been imprisoned for stealing a hoard of 1,100-year-old Anglo-Saxon coins and jewelry valued at millions of pounds (dollars).

Experts say the hoard, much of which is still missing, could shed new light on a period when Saxons were battling the Vikings for control of England.

It was discovered in 2015 on farmland in central England by metal detectorists George Powell and Layton Davies. They were convicted this week of failing to report the hoard, as required by law.

They tried to sell some of the bounty, and much has not been recovered.

Prosecutor Kevin Hegarty said a find of "immense archaeological, historical and academic value" had been lost to the nation.

Powell was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison and Davies to 8½ years.