Gold Cup Find Led To (Anglo-Saxon) Graves Discovery

Kent Online ^ | 3-21-2008 | Nick Evans

[blam]

Gold cup find led to graves discovery

by Nick Evans

AN important archaeological find by Broadstairs man Cliff Bradshaw prompted further excavations which uncovered centuries- old Anglo-Saxon graves.

These later finds, thought to be the graves of women from the fifth and sixth centuries, were the subject of an inquest held last week by coroner Rebecca Cobb to decide if the finds should be declared treasure.

She heard the excavations followed the discovery in 2001 by Cliff Bradshaw of what has since become known as the Ringlemere Cup, which was later declared a national treasure and is on show in the British Museum, London.

The Ringlemere Cup is thought to be one of only a handful found in Europe. Dating from 1700-1500BC and made of beaten gold, it emphasised the intricate craftsmanship of the early Bronze Age.

Mr Bradshaw was convinced more discoveries were buried in the field at Ringlemere near Sandwich, and the Canterbury Archaeological Trust organised a series of digs in 2005 and 2006.

Dr Andrew Richardson, finds liaison officer for Kent County Council, said: "It is a large cemetery with very deep graves."

The inquest was told that eventually the Anglo-Saxon cemetery was found and part of the contents, as well as chunks of earth, were sent to the British Museum for investigation.

Keith Parfitt, co-director of excavations at the trust, said he believed there were more Saxon graves yet to be discovered in the field. Beads, glass beakers, brooches, a toilet set and ring fragments were among the items catalogued from the excavations and the coroner decided the list of finds qualified as treasure.

The contents of the graves will be considered by a special committee at the British Museum, and their worth will then be assessed.

[Sawdring]

Ah, good catch. I read somewhere that the Poles invented the toilet seat and it was actually the Germans that put the hole in it. This is second hand knowledge though.

[wildbill]

No, I was an abused husband.

[SunkenCiv]

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