Archaeologists discovered a rare sixth-century sword at an Anglo-Saxon burial site near Canterbury, England. They hope the early medieval weapon, which has drawn comparisons to the famous Sutton Hoo sword, will offer new insights into sixth-century life in the region.
“In the Top Echelons of Swords”
The sixth-century sword was found remarkably well-preserved. It has a silver-and-gilt hilt with an intricate decorative pattern, and a runic script is embossed on its blade. Parts of the Anglo-Saxon sword‘s leather-and-wood scabbard, lined with beaver fur, have also survived the centuries. A ring was also attached to its pommel, which archaeologists believe might symbolize an oath to a king or another high-status individual.
Duncan Sayer, lead archaeologist and professor of archaeology at the University of Central Lancashire, told the Guardian, “It’s really incredible, in the top echelons of swords, an elite object in every way, which is wonderful. It rivals the swords from Dover and from Sutton Hoo.” Alice Roberts, professor and presenter of the BBC Two docuseries Digging for Britain, also told the Guardian, “It’s an extraordinary Anglo-Saxon cemetery, with really beautifully furnished graves, a lot of weapon burials where you find things like iron spear-points and seaxes, which are Anglo-Saxon knives—and then there’s this astonishing sword.”
Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Contains Hundreds of Burials
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterA previously untouched Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Kent yielded the sixth-century sword, among several other fascinating findings. Twelve burials have been excavated at the site so far, and archaeologists believe there to be approximately 200 more, all dating back to the fifth and sixth centuries. The exact location of the cemetery has not been publicly identified, as excavations are still ongoing. “We’re keeping the name of the site under wraps,” Sayer explained. “It’s a very rich cemetery. It would be a real tragedy if it became well known before we’ve excavated it.”
Sixth-Century Sword to Undergo Conservation
The sixth-century sword, along with other findings from the dig site, will undergo an intensive research and conservation process. Experts hope this process will reveal new insights into Anglo-Saxon society and funerary practices. Roberts explained, “We have fairly sparse historical sources when it comes to this period, which used to be called the Dark Ages. We don’t have much in the way of contemporary writing.” The sixth-century sword will eventually go on view at the Folkestone Museum in Kent, which surveys the history of the region.
