(ORDO NEWS) — British archaeologists exploring the site of the future construction of a railway line have discovered an Anglo-Saxon burial with the remains of almost one and a half hundred people. It was attributed to the 5th-6th centuries AD, according to The Guardian.
This era is known as the “Dark Ages” because scientists know almost nothing about it. Historical sources are extremely scarce, and archaeological finds are also rare. Archaeologists expressed the hope that the discovery will fill in the gaps and learn more about the life of people in those days.
The burial was in the county of Buckinghamshire (South East England). During the research, it was possible to unearth the remains of 140 people, as well as numerous artifacts: jewelry, weapons, even a personal care kit.
“This is one of the best and most representative sites of the post-Roman period in the country,” said historian Dan Snow.
Research has shown that one of the skeletons belonged to a man between the ages of 17 and 24. A sharp iron object was stuck in his vertebrae, indicating a violent death. A bright blue spot was noticed on the collarbone. According to experts, it arose due to contact with a brooch that fastened the edges of the cloak.
Female remains were also found with a huge number of artifacts. These included rings, brooches, ivory items, iron parts for belts, and a pale green glass bowl that has been dated to the 5th century. Obviously, during her lifetime, a woman had a high social status.
In total, scientists discovered 138 graves and 141 bodies (men, women and children), as well as five cremated remains. This is one of the largest Anglo-Saxon burials ever known in Britain.
“More than 2,000 beads were found, including glass and amber, 89 brooches, 40 buckles, 51 knives, 15 spearheads and seven shieldheads,” the text of the study says.
Most of the people from the burial were obviously very wealthy and could purchase goods from other regions of Europe.
So, two glass cone-shaped glasses could be made in the north of France. Hygiene items attracted particular attention of the researchers: earwax removers, toothpicks, tweezers, combs and a tube from a space product.
In addition to the Anglo-Saxon burial, the team also found traces of an older human presence. A number of finds have been attributed to the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman domination.
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