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09 May 19
10:44
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Date Joined:
02 Mar 08
A royal burial site found between a pub and Aldi supermarket has
been hailed as the UK's answer to Tutankhamun's tomb.
Workmen unearthed the grave, which contained dozens of rare artefacts,
during roadworks in Prittlewell, near Southend, Essex, in 2003.
Tooth enamel fragments were the only human remains, but experts say
their "best guess" is that they belonged to a 6th Century Anglo-Saxon prince.
It is said to be the oldest example of a Christian Anglo-Saxon royal burial.
When a team from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) excavated the site,
they said they were "astounded" to find the burial chamber intact.
The remains of the timber structure, which would have measured about 13ft (4m)
square and 5ft (1.5m) deep, housed some 40 rare and precious artefacts.
Among them was a lyre - an ancient harp - and a 1,400-year-old box thought to
be the only surviving example of painted Anglo-Saxon woodwork in Britain.
Gold coins, the gilded silver neck of a wooden drinking vessel, decorative glass
beakers and a flagon believed to have come from Syria were also found.
Each had been placed within the tomb "as part of a carefully choreographed
burial rite", indicating the resting place of a man of princely lineage, they said.
Locals nicknamed the grave's unknown occupant the Prince of Prittlewell and
the King of Bling because of the riches buried alongside him.
It had been suggested the remains were those of Saebert, Saxon king of Essex
from AD604 to AD616
But carbon dating and other tests have indicated the tomb was constructed
between AD575 and AD605 - at least 11 years before his death.
After 15 years of research, archaeologists said their "best guess" was that
the tomb belonged to Seaxa, Saebert's brother.
Gold-foil crosses found at the head of the coffin are thought to have been
placed over the eyes - making it certain he was a Christian
However, other funeral customs, such as the burial mound, grave artefacts
and wooden chamber, reflect pre-Christian beliefs and traditions
A golden belt buckle, likely made especially for the burial, suggested a high-status
individual
An "exceptionally large" ash-wood coffin with an elaborate lid had space for a corpse
and other worldly items. It alone would have weighed 160kg
The size of the coffin, and placement of items within it, suggested he was about 5ft 6in
(1.68m) tall
A folding iron stool, thought to be a gifstol (gift seat) from which a lord dispensed rewards
and judgement to his loyal followers and warriors, was found
A "skilfully crafted sword" with collars of ribbed gold wire on the horn handle and a
complex, pattern-welded blade was a clear signal of an aristocratic or royal-status burial.
more at... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-48203883
and some pics
a simply brilliant find,
been hailed as the UK's answer to Tutankhamun's tomb.
Workmen unearthed the grave, which contained dozens of rare artefacts,
during roadworks in Prittlewell, near Southend, Essex, in 2003.
Tooth enamel fragments were the only human remains, but experts say
their "best guess" is that they belonged to a 6th Century Anglo-Saxon prince.
It is said to be the oldest example of a Christian Anglo-Saxon royal burial.
When a team from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) excavated the site,
they said they were "astounded" to find the burial chamber intact.
The remains of the timber structure, which would have measured about 13ft (4m)
square and 5ft (1.5m) deep, housed some 40 rare and precious artefacts.
Among them was a lyre - an ancient harp - and a 1,400-year-old box thought to
be the only surviving example of painted Anglo-Saxon woodwork in Britain.
Gold coins, the gilded silver neck of a wooden drinking vessel, decorative glass
beakers and a flagon believed to have come from Syria were also found.
Each had been placed within the tomb "as part of a carefully choreographed
burial rite", indicating the resting place of a man of princely lineage, they said.
Locals nicknamed the grave's unknown occupant the Prince of Prittlewell and
the King of Bling because of the riches buried alongside him.
It had been suggested the remains were those of Saebert, Saxon king of Essex
from AD604 to AD616
But carbon dating and other tests have indicated the tomb was constructed
between AD575 and AD605 - at least 11 years before his death.
After 15 years of research, archaeologists said their "best guess" was that
the tomb belonged to Seaxa, Saebert's brother.
Gold-foil crosses found at the head of the coffin are thought to have been
placed over the eyes - making it certain he was a Christian
However, other funeral customs, such as the burial mound, grave artefacts
and wooden chamber, reflect pre-Christian beliefs and traditions
A golden belt buckle, likely made especially for the burial, suggested a high-status
individual
An "exceptionally large" ash-wood coffin with an elaborate lid had space for a corpse
and other worldly items. It alone would have weighed 160kg
The size of the coffin, and placement of items within it, suggested he was about 5ft 6in
(1.68m) tall
A folding iron stool, thought to be a gifstol (gift seat) from which a lord dispensed rewards
and judgement to his loyal followers and warriors, was found
A "skilfully crafted sword" with collars of ribbed gold wire on the horn handle and a
complex, pattern-welded blade was a clear signal of an aristocratic or royal-status burial.
more at... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-48203883
and some pics
a simply brilliant find,
Show More
If he was that important you'd have thought they would have buried him half a mile up the road, next to Waitrose.
did nobody ever suspect a noticeable protruding mound in the ground surrounded by flat land that there might have been something buried underneath?
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