It is always incredibly disappointing for me whenever I happen to pass this 'ancient cross'. At first sight, it would appear to be the ancient preaching cross of the now-destroyed Chapel Of St Bertelin in Stafford centre - which would make it an astonishing 1000 years old.
In fact, it is actually a replica of the real cross, which is buried immediately under it. The real cross was deemed too fragile to be left out in the atmosphere.
Incidentally, Saint Bertelin is a proper home-grown Staffordshire saint (though he may be just legendary....). Also known as Bertram or Beorhthelm, he has a few sites dedicated to him around the county.
And the cross may actually not be a cross, it may even be a coffin. Hmm.
I would think putting the real thing in a vacuum display case in a museum would be better than burying it.
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