‘Extraordinary’ 1,500-year-old sword is discovered with a gold pendant in an Anglo-Saxon ‘cemetery’ beneath a Kent subject that would include as much as 200 graves

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 associated with Scandinavian or Anglo-Saxon paganism and could be paying homage to the cult of pagan god Odin, Dr Richardson believes.

Who were the Anglo-Saxons? 

The Anglo-Saxons were a people who inhabited Britain from 5th century AD.

They were made up of Germanic tribes who emigrated from continental Europe, as well as indigenous Britons who adopted their cultural practices.

The Anglo-Saxons were fierce warriors, and tribes often battled one another for territory.

They ruled over Britain from 500 years until 1066 when they were conquered by the Normans.

Advertisement

The earliest grave is that of a woman and dates back to the late fifth century, so more than 1,500 years.

At the time, Kent was an independent kingdom and had been so since the end of Roman rule in Britain in 410AD. 

The woman was buried with objects including glass beads and extraordinary wrist clasps.

They are described as ‘really quite special’ by lead archaeologist Professor Duncan Sayer, the director of the University of Central Lancashire’s Research Institute For Materials and Investigative Sciences. 

‘I’ve never seen another example of this in the UK at all,’ he says. 

He adds: ‘They are unique to the site. Almost certainly Scandinavian in character.’ 

Also found at the site are a series stone beads, buckles and the remains of a wooden bucket. 

One buckle points to a connection to France. 

The discoveries are set to undergo a process of conservation before eventually going to the Folkestone Museum. 

So far, 12 burials have been excavated. It will take years to explore what are believed to be 200 graves in total.  

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 Wessex.

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.