Archaeologists found a sixth-century Saxon sword in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in rural Kent. The discovery, which will be featured in BBC Two's forthcoming series Digging for Britain, was described as one of the most important archaeological finds in recent years.
The sword, buried for approximately 1,500 years, is in exceptional condition. According to Express.co.uk, it is likened to the famous sword found at Sutton Hoo and is described as "really incredible, in the top echelons of swords, an elite object in every way." The blade bears an inscription in runic script, and remnants of its leather-and-wood scabbard lined with preserved beaver fur have survived, adding to the uniqueness of the artifact.
"This is a unique find, one of the best swords of that time. Such items are rare even in large archaeological projects," said lead archaeologist Duncan Sayer. The sword features a silver-and-gilt hilt adorned with intricate patterns and fine craftsmanship, covered with gold plating. A prominent feature is a ring attached to its pommel, possibly symbolizing an oath sworn to a king or another person of high status.
In the same grave, archaeologists discovered a gold pendant depicting a snake or dragon, believed to be a keepsake from a female relative or ancestor of the sword's owner. The Guardian reports that such pendants would have been worn by high-status women, indicating the deceased's high social standing.
"It's a very rich cemetery. It would be a real tragedy if it became well known before we've excavated it," said Sayer, according to The Guardian. So far, 12 burial sites have been unearthed, with estimates suggesting more than 200 graves left to excavate, providing several years of work ahead for the excavation team.
"It's an extraordinary Anglo-Saxon cemetery, with really beautifully furnished graves, a lot of weapon burials where you find things like iron spear points and seaxes, which are Anglo-Saxon knives—and then there's this astonishing sword," said Professor Alice Roberts, who presents the Digging for Britain series, as reported by The Guardian.
Analysis of the cemetery's artifacts is revealing insights into the migratory patterns and cultural connections of the period. Some of the later sixth-century graves contain artifacts of Frankish origin, consistent with additional graves revealing artifacts of both Scandinavian and Frankish origins. This supports DNA analysis findings that confirm migrations to the east coast of Britain after the end of Roman administration. As noted by RMF24, a study of 300 early Anglo-Saxons from across the east coast of Britain found that about 75% of the DNA was from continental northern Europe.
"We can really see the change in the political landscape within Kent in this site in the fifth and sixth centuries," said Sayer. "Before we published those results, there was still quite a lot of conversation about whether there really was a significant migration. Now it's absolutely definite that there has to have been a very significant influx, especially in the east coast taking place over generations. They're not coming from one place, but multiple places. This cemetery is right at the cutting-edge of that work."
The graves of both men and women are yielding a wealth of artifacts. Male burials include weapons like spears and shields, swords, and iron spear-points. Female graves feature brooches, buckles, knives, and a variety of other artifacts. According to RBC, hunting tools, jewelry, amulets, and beads made of ivory were also discovered. These findings offer insights into the lives of the Anglo-Saxons, their social structures, and burial traditions.
The excavation is part of a larger project studying 300 early Anglo-Saxon graves from the entire eastern coast of Britain. Eventually, the sword and other finds will go to the Folkestone Museum, where they will be available for public viewing.
Digging for Britain begins on January 7 at BBC Two and iPlayer, offering viewers a chance to witness the uncovering of the remarkable site and the secrets it holds about England's early medieval past.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.