Excavation in UK unveils remarkable Anglo-Saxon artifacts Including Gold Pendant

An extraordinary discovery has been made in UK's rural Kent, where archaeologists have unearthed a stunning sixth-century Anglo-Saxon sword, along with other remarkable artifacts, from an early medieval cemetery. 

The weapon is in outstanding condition and is being compared to the famous sword found at Sutton Hoo, the Anglo-Saxon burial site in Suffolk, Caliber.Az reports per local media. 

Featuring a silver-and-gilt hilt with intricate decorative patterns and a blade inscribed with runic script, the sword is an exceptional find. Even parts of its leather-and-wood scabbard, along with beaver fur lining, have been preserved. The pommel also bears a ring, possibly symbolizing an oath to a king or another high-ranking figure. 

This sword is part of a series of remarkable discoveries at an early medieval cemetery near Canterbury, although the exact location remains undisclosed as further excavations are planned.

So far, twelve burials have been excavated, with an estimated 200 more remaining, a process that will take years to complete. These burials date back to the fifth and sixth centuries.

Also found in the same grave was a gold pendant, inscribed with a serpent or dragon. Given that such pendants were worn by high-status women, it is believed to have been a cherished keepsake from a female relative or ancestor.

All male graves contain weapons such as spears and shields, while all female graves feature knives, along with brooches, buckles, and other items.

Prof Alice Roberts, an academic and presenter of the documentaries, told the Guardian: “I’ve never seen one that’s so beautifully preserved.”

She added: “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.”

A microscope used by conservator Dana Goodburn-Brown magnifies details on the sword over 10 times, revealing hidden clues about the burial practices of the Kentish community.

One grave belonged to a woman buried in the later fifth century, with items originating from Scandinavia. Some of the sixth-century graves contain artifacts of Frankish origin.

The sword and other artifacts will undergo a lengthy conservation process before eventually being displayed at the Folkestone Museum.

By Naila Huseynova