Posted on 06/19/2022 9:38:42 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
Excavations were on behalf of HS2 (the purpose-built high speed railway line) near the town of Wendover in Buckinghamshire, England, revealing one of the largest Anglo-Saxon burial sites in Britain that dates from between the 5th and 6th century AD.
Most of the burials have been described as containing high-status grave goods, suggesting the site was the final resting place of a wealthy Anglo-Saxon community nearby. The site contains 138 graves, with 141 inhumation burials and 5 cremation burials, in addition to evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity.
Many burials were found to contain two brooches in the style of either a disk brooch with gild, or coin brooches made of silver. Most brooches were positioned on the collarbone, indicating that they originally fastened onto garments such as cloaks or a peplos (a long garment worn by women).
Some of the items uncovered could have been imported from across Europe, such as amber beads, and various metals and raw materials used to make the artefacts. Overall, the excavations recovered over 2000 beads, 89 brooches, 40 buckles, 51 knives, 15 spearheads, 7 shield bosses and a bucket made from iron and wood.
Two glass cone beakers were also uncovered intact, which are similar to vessels made in Northern France, although they were also making them in England at the time. The beakers, which would have been used for drinking liquids such as wine, may suggest the people there had access to fine beverages from abroad. The vessels have decorative trails in the glass and are comparable to the “Kempston” type cone beaker, uncovered in Bedfordshire in 1891, with one currently on display in the British Museum.
(Excerpt) Read more at heritagedaily.com ...
Anglo Saxon finds from burial ground WendoverImage Credit : HS2
Rescue archaeology comes up trumps.
That “Heritage Daily” site looks really cool. What an amazing find:
* 138 graves
* 141 inhumation burials
* 5 cremation burials
* Evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity.
* 2000 beads, 89 brooches, 40 buckles, 51 knives, 15 spearheads, 7 shield bosses * A bucket made from iron and wood.
* Two glass cone beakers were also uncovered intact
I saw a short clip on this dig on YouTube. I’m guessing that a longer report will follow. Looks like one of the largest Anglo Saxon cemetery found.
I think it is the largest.
We need to put paid to “Dark Ages.”
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