Archaeologists working at an Anglo Saxon cemetery near Canterbury in Kent, England, (the exact location of which has not been revealed to protect it from looting) have uncovered an Anglo Saxon sword of exceptional quality. This sword has a decorative patterned hilt in silver and guilt, and a blade with a runic inscription, and has been compared to high-quality swords previously discovered at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and Dover in Kent. Part of the scabbard was preserved along with the sword, this being made from leather and wood, and lined with Beaver fur.
The grave is the twelfth of about two hundred at the cemetery, which is being excavated by a team of archaeologists led by Duncan Sayer of the University of Central Lancashire, and which contains both male and female burials. All of the male graves excavated at the site so far have contained weapons buried as grave goods, typically spears and sheilds, while all the female graves have contained knives, tools, and items of jewellery, a pattern typical of Anglo Saxon cemeteries.
Interestingly, the occupant of the grave which yielded the sword was also buried with a gold pendant with an inscribed image of a serpent or dragon, an item which would normally be associated with high-status women in Anglo Saxon cemeteries. Since the sword's owner is not thought to have been female, this may be a keepsake from a female relative or loved one.
The excavation will be featured in the upcoming series of the BBC TV program 'Digging for Britain'.
See also...
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