A spectacular sixth-century sword has been unearthed from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in rural Kent, to the astonishment of archaeologists.
The weapon is in an distinctive state of preservation and is being likened to the sword discovered at Sutton Hoo, the Anglo-Saxon burial in Suffolk.
It has a silver-and-gilt hilt, with an ornamental sample in tremendous craftsmanship, and a blade bearing a runic script. Even parts of its leather-and-wood scabbard and the beaver fur that lined it have additionally survived. Connected to its pommel is a hoop, maybe symbolising an oath to a king or one other high-status particular person.
The sword is amongst putting objects which were unearthed from an early medieval cemetery close to Canterbury, whose exact location is just not being recognized as additional excavations are deliberate.
Twelve burials have been excavated up to now and there are regarded as 200 extra, which can take years to discover. They date from the fifth and sixth centuries.
Duncan Sayer, the lead archaeologist and professor of archaeology on the College of Central Lancashire, instructed the Guardian: “We’re protecting the title of the location underneath wraps. It’s a really wealthy cemetery. It might be an actual tragedy if it grew to become well-known earlier than we’ve excavated it.”
He stated of the sword: “It’s actually unbelievable, within the prime echelons of swords, an elite object in each method, which is fantastic. It rivals the swords from Dover and from Sutton Hoo.”
Buried in the identical grave was a gold pendant, inscribed with a serpent or dragon. As such pendants would have been worn by high-status ladies, it’s thought to have been a treasured memento from a feminine relative or ancestor.
All of the male graves have weapons akin to spears and shields. All the feminine graves have knives, in addition to broaches and buckles, amongst different objects.
The discoveries will characteristic in BBC Two’s forthcoming six-part Digging for Britain sequence, which exhibits that an untouched Anglo-Saxon cemetery is now “giving up its secrets and techniques”.
The sword is described as probably the most exceptional finds ever seen on Digging for Britain, now into its twelfth sequence.
Prof Alice Roberts, an educational who presents the documentaries, instructed the Guardian: “I’ve by no means seen one which’s so superbly preserved.”
She stated: “It’s a rare Anglo-Saxon cemetery, with actually superbly furnished graves, numerous weapon burials the place you discover issues like iron spear-points and seaxes, that are Anglo-Saxon knives – after which there’s this astonishing sword.”
She spoke of the potential to find new insights into life at the moment: “We now have pretty sparse historic sources relating to this era, which was once referred to as the darkish ages. We don’t have a lot in the way in which of latest writing.”
A microscope utilized by the conservator Dana Goodburn-Brown can amplify particulars on the sword greater than 10 instances and reveal hidden clues concerning the burial practices of this Kentish group.
She has, for instance, discovered fly pupa on the sword, which signifies that the physique was not instantly lined earlier than being buried, maybe giving family members time to say their goodbyes. “So we’re studying one thing concerning the funerary practices,” she says within the programme.
One of many graves belonged to a girl buried within the later fifth century with objects that had originated in Scandinavia. A number of the later sixth-century graves have artefacts of a Frankish origin.
Sayer stated: “So we are able to actually see the change within the political panorama inside Kent on this website within the fifth and sixth centuries.”
The excavation is a part of an even bigger undertaking. A examine of 300 early Anglo-Saxons from throughout the east coast of Britain discovered that about 75% of the DNA was from continental northern Europe – “a big migration occasion after the Roman administration stopped in Britain”, Sayer stated.
He added: “Earlier than we printed these outcomes, there was nonetheless various dialog about whether or not there actually was a big migration. Now it’s completely particular that there has to have been a really vital inflow, particularly within the east coast happening over generations. They’re not coming from one place, however a number of locations. This cemetery is correct on the cutting-edge of that work.”
The sword and different finds will endure a prolonged technique of conservation. Ultimately they’ll go to the Folkestone Museum.
Digging for Britain begins on 7 January at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
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