UK: Hidden treasures of Saxon burial chamber revealed (photos)

BBC On-Line ^ | Thursday, 5 February, 2004 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Last Updated: Thursday, 5 February, 2004, 13:09 GMT

Burial chamber's secrets revealed

More details are being released of a Saxon burial chamber unearthed in Essex.

The 12-feet-wide, five-feet-high wood-lined chamber - dating from the 7th Century - was crammed with gold coins and ornaments.

But the remains of the ancient king have dissolved and experts have not yet been able to identify him.

The find in Prittlewell, Southend, is being hailed as a major discovery.

Some experts have likened the discovery to the find in 1939 of a Saxon burial ship in Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, one of Britain's most important archaeological sites.

The find in Prittlewell, Southend, is being hailed as a major discovery.

> Hidden treasures of Saxon burial chamber

"An artist's impression of the inside of a Saxon king's burial chamber found in Southend, Essex. Experts say it gives a glimpse into the lives of the super-rich of the Dark Ages"

The site was filled with everything a king needed in the afterlife, from his sword and shield to copper bowls, glass vessels and treasures

Two pairs of coloured glass vessels were found by archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology Service

A gold coin found during the excavation dates back to the 6th or 7th century

Inside the chamber, which would have been lined with wood, were two tiny gold foil crosses about 30mm in length

A gold belt buckle dating from about 600-640

[sneakers]

Wow! Thanks for posting this. I can't wait to read the full report. I'd love to be a part of such a dig!

[Argus]

a glimpse into the lives of the super-rich of the Dark Ages"

Don't tell John Edwards - he'll jump into his wayback machine and go tax them.

[EggsAckley]

*ping*

[razorback-bert]

How did the moonspinners miss it?

[Molly Pitcher]

A few years ago I saw an exhibit of treasures from Antioch....from the 5-7th centuries AD...and only excavated in the mid-20th century. This exhibit also included glass items, and that such fragile items should survive earthquakes - in the case of Antioch - and centuries underground amazes me.

[EggsAckley]

Truly amazing!

[xJones]

Seventh century....was that around the time of King Arthur?

[RightWhale]

Arthur was British and would have been fighting the Saxons. That would have been a couple centuries before this Saxon lived.

[blam]

"Seventh century....was that around the time of King Arthur?"

King Arthur (If there even was one) was believed to have died somewhere between 530-572AD, depends on who's talking.

[xJones]

Thank you both for your replies concerning the legendary Arthur Pendragon.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

Wa la wa! Ic þu axige föh ne mïn hordes!

(O Alas! I ask you to not take my treasures!)

[BushMeister]

[Unam Sanctam]

One account I read was that the Thames valley was one of the last areas of Southeast England to fall to the Anglo-Saxons, and that Arthur's Camelot was the Essex city of Colchester, known to the Romans as "Camelodunum". That would have predated the kingdom of the East Saxons in Essex, however.

[AngrySpud]

After 1,400-plus years, the belt buckle design still hasn't been improved upon.

[BossLady]

Cool Saxon Archeological Dig Pics!

[bvw]

A simple beauty that is timeless that has.

[vikingchick]

Very cool!

[FreedomCalls]

After 1,400-plus years, the belt buckle design still hasn't been improved upon.

Don't say that out loud here in Texas! We have a whole mess of fine looking better-designed belt buckles around the waist of every blue-jean-wearing Texan.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

Uh, what does the red X mean?

*grin*