An ancient burial site dating back to 2000 BCE was found in Kent last week.
The burial site, which was discovered by Kent Archaeological Projects (KAP), is 1.7 meters deep and about 3.5 m. wide and contained bodies including a 12-year-old and a woman buried in smaller ring ditches.
After the fall of the Roman Empire 2,500 years later, the Jutes arrived from Denmark during the fourth century and invaded parts of southern England including Kent. The invasion was described by a known Anglo-Saxon cleric from Northumberland named Bede.
The arrival of the Jutes makes up part of the mythology of England founding, led by twin brothers Horsa and Hengist. The names point to the fact that the Jutes revered horses, with Horsa meaning Horse, and Hengist meaning stallion.
After the invasion, the Jutes found the burial site in Kent and chose to continue using the cemetery for their own dead. The KAP dig is excavating the contents of the cemetery.
Among the findings were many high-status warrior burials that included the warriors' spears, swords, shields and knives, while the women's graves also included keys, brooches, a garnet pendant set in gold, glass bead necklaces and a glass vessel.
Aside from the people and their possessions, the dig also revealed the skeletons of a horse and a wolf-sized dog. Adjacent to the animals was a large warrior grave containing a large skeleton with a sword, spear, two knives and a shield. Additionally, a bronze bucket adorned with horse motifs was buried at the warrior's feet and was probably used for the horse to drink from.
The sword was "highly decorated and had semi-precious stones in the hilt," director of KAP Tim Allen told the Express. "This was quite clearly a high-status burial."
The archaeologists believe that the warrior died in battle because his skull was smashed in, and the shield was covering his head where his face would have been.
"I've been an archaeologist in Kent for 36 years, and this is the most important find I personally have ever made," Allen told KentOnline.
"The Jutes were the first English-speaking people: they spoke Old English, Anglo-Saxon he said. "This is the origin of England, right here."