In preparation for the High Speed 2 rail project, a major archaeological find has been made near London. Archaeologists have uncovered over 100 skeletons in what is believed to be a wealthy pagan Anglo-Saxon burial ground dating back to the 5th century A.D., marking the early years of the Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain.
Largest Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Along HS2 Route
Lead archaeologist Rachel Wood has described the discovery of 141 individuals as one of the largest Anglo-Saxon cemeteries ever found. She stated, “When we find Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, they typically contain a few individuals, or sometimes 20 or 30. But here we have 141. It’s not the largest ever, but it’s certainly among the largest.”
Rich Grave Goods Indicate High-Status Community
Alongside the human remains, archaeologists discovered luxurious grave goods buried with the deceased, such as:
- Silver and gold-decorated brooches and rings
- Personal grooming kits with tweezers and ear wax removal spoons
- Imported amber beads and glass drinking vessels from continental Europe
These expensive artifacts suggest that the cemetery was the burial site of a wealthy Anglo-Saxon community, potentially a single affluent landowning family over several generations.
Early Traces of Anglo-Saxon Settlement in Britain
The dating of the graves reveals this site to be one of the earliest Anglo-Saxon sites in Britain. While the later graves date from the 6th century, the earliest ones date back to the 5th century, just a few generations after the end of Roman rule around 410 A.D.
Weapons Found, But Little Evidence of Violent Lives
Although the graves contained weapons such as an iron sword, spearheads, and shield remains—with one young man appearing to have been killed by a spear—the archaeologists found little evidence that those buried had led particularly violent lives filled with battles against the Romano-British. Knives were also common grave goods, likely serving as everyday eating utensils rather than weapons.
Discovery Challenges “Dark Ages” Narrative
Wood suggested that these findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the post-Roman, pre-Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, often called the “Dark Ages” and depicted as a time of constant warring between the Romano-British and Anglo-Saxons.
“These are highly cultured groups of people,” she explained. “They are only perceived as uncultured because they didn’t write anything down.” Wood also mentioned that it’s possible those buried may have had some British ancestry but adopted the prevailing Anglo-Saxon culture and burial customs. Further analysis of the remains, such as isotope testing of the bones, may reveal more about the geographic origins and lives of this fascinating early Anglo-Saxon community buried in the heart of England.
