An incredible Anglo-Saxon sword unearthed in a field in Kent has been revealed for the first time on BBC programme Digging for Britain.
Described as ‘one of the most extraordinary objects’ ever seen on the long-running show, the weapon was found in a grave at the site of an early medieval cemetery near Canterbury.
Boasting a gilded silver hilt with intricate patterns, the exceptionally well-preserved weapon was recovered still in its scabbard in what experts believe is the grave of a man.
Archaeologist Dr Andrew Richardson says on Digging for Britain, which airs tomorrow night: ‘It is certainly a very high-status object, whoever was carrying this, was buried with this, was somebody really important.’
Attached to the sixth century sword’s hilt is a ring that is believed to symbolise an oath between its owner and a king or a lord, or even a god.
Conservator Dana Goodburn-Brown, who examined the sword under a microscope, discovered that the inside of the sword’s scabbard is lined with beaver fur.
Also found in the grave, one of as many as 200 at the site, was a gold pendant known as a bracteate.
An incredible Anglo-Saxon sword unearthed in a field in Kent has been revealed for the first time on BBC programme Digging for Britain. It has been described as ‘one of the most extraordinary objects’ ever seen on the long-running show
Boasting a gilded silver hilt with intricate patterns, the exceptionally well-preserved weapon was recovered still in its scabbard in what experts believe is the grave of a man
It boasts a serpent pattern ᴀssociated with Scandinavian or Anglo-Saxon paganism and could be paying homage to the cult of pagan god Odin, Dr Richardson believes.
Also found in the grave, one of as many as 200 at the site, was a gold pendant known as a bracteate
So far, 12 burials have been excavated. It will take years to explore what are believed to be 200 graves in total
A bird’s eye view shows experts excavating two graves at the extraordinary site
The remains of a skull and weapon are seen in one of the graves at the site in Kent
Digging for Britain is presented by historian Professor Alice Roberts
After the end of the Romans’ occupation of Britain, which lasted for nearly 500 years, England was split into several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
Along with Kent, the kingdoms included Mercia, Northumbria, East Anglia, and WesSєx.
The kingdoms eventually united to fight against Viking invaders. The first king of a united England was Athelstan, who reigned from 924 until his death in 939.
Digging for Britain airs tomorrow and on Wednesday on BBC 2 at 8pm.
