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Anglo-Saxon burial ground unearthed at HS2 site in Buckinghamshire

Written by Admin | Jun 15, 2022 11:00:00 PM

An Anglo-Saxon burial ground with 138 graves found along the route of HS2 is one of the largest ever uncovered in the UK, experts have said.

A skeleton with a weapon embedded in it, jewellery and weapons were among the finds in Wendover, Buckinghamshire.

Evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity was also found.

Archaeologist Rachel Wood said the site's significance for the "historical and archaeological understanding" of Anglo-Saxon Britain was "huge".

The site contained 141 regular burials and five cremation burials. The male skeleton was found with a sharp iron object embedded into its spine, which experts believe may have caused or factored into his death.

Other items unearthed in the excavation last year include 89 brooches, more than 2,000 amber beads, 51 knives, 40 buckles and 15 spearheads.

A number of objects likely to have been used for grooming were also found, including toiletry sets with ear wax removers and toothpicks, tweezers, combs and even a cosmetic tube that might have been used as eyeliner or similar.

The discoveries have been filmed for historian Dan Snow's streaming service History Hit.

Speaking on his podcast, the presenter said: "This stunning set of discoveries on the HS2 route can tell us more about how our predecessors lived, fought and ultimately died.

"It is one of the best and most revealing post Roman sites in the country and it was thrilling to join the team as they uncovered their wonderful finds."

A female body was found buried with an array of high quality goods such as a complete ornate glass bowl made of pale green glass, multiple rings made of copper alloy, a silver "zoomorphic" ring, brooches, discs, iron belt fittings and objects made of ivory.

A team of about 30 field archaeologists from INFRA JV, working on behalf of HS2's contractor Fusion JV, completed field work at the site in 2021.

The high speed rail line is a divisive project but away from the politics and debates, the programme is revealing secrets about Britain's past.

For the last five years, more than 1,000 archaeologists have excavated more than 60 sites.

This latest find is being described as rare and of national significance - it's being compared to that of Sutton Hoo, where an Anglo-Saxon ship was found in 1939 and thought to be the final resting place of the 7th Century King Raedwald.

For some - even important archaeological discoveries still don't justify the construction of HS2 but for others this is chance to explore periods of our hidden history.

This article was originally written by the BBC. To view the full, original article, click here.