A 1,300\u002Dyear\u002Dold gold and gemstone necklace found on the site of a new British housing development marks the grave of a powerful woman.
Experts say the necklace, uncovered with other items near Northampton in central England, is part of the most significant early medieval burial of a woman ever found in the U.K.Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Ottawa SUN, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc.
On one of the last days of the 10-week dig, site supervisor Levente-Bence Balazs noticed something glinting in the dirt. It turned out to be a rectangular gold pendant with a cross motif, inlaid with garnets – the centrepiece of a necklace that also contained pendants fashioned from gold Roman coins and ovals of semiprecious stones.
The Kingdom of Mercia, where the Harpole Treasure was found, converted to Christianity in the 7th century, and the woman buried there was a believer, maybe a faith leader. A large and ornate silver cross was placed on her body in the grave. It is adorned with tiny, astonishingly well-preserved likenesses of human heads with blue glass eyes, who may represent Christ’s apostles. Clay pots from France or Belgium, containing residue of an unknown liquid, were also found.
The Harpole discoveries will help fill in gaps in knowledge about the era between the departure of Britain’s Roman occupiers in the 5th century and the arrival of Viking raiders almost 400 years later. Experts say it’s one of the most significant Saxon finds since the 7th-century ship burial found in the 1930s at Sutton Hoo, about 100 miles to the east.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dig at U.K. housing site yields major 7th century treasuresA 1,300-year-old gold and gemstone necklace found on the site of a new housing development marks the grave of a powerful woman who may have been an early Christian religious leader in Britain, archeologists said Tuesday.
Read more »
Dig at U.K. housing site yields 7th century gold and gemstone necklaceA 1,300\u002Dyear\u002Dold gold and gemstone necklace found on the site of a new British housing development marks the grave of a powerful woman.
Read more »
Titans fire GM Jon Robinson in midst of his 7th seasonTennessee owner Amy Adams Strunk fired general manager Jon Robinson in the midst of his seventh season with the Titans off to a 7\u002D5 start.
Read more »
Bank of Canada expected to announce 7th interest rate hike this year - National | Globalnews.caThe Bank of Canada began raising interest rates in March in response to rapidly rising inflation that peaked at 8.1 per cent in July.
Read more »
British Fashion Awards Red Carpet 2022: All the LooksStep aside Oscars, the 2022 British fashion awards red carpet was so fun. Here, all the best looks from Jodie Turner-Smith to Suki Waterhouse.
Read more »
Scottie Resources reports new drill results at Scottie Gold Mine Project, British Columbia – Canadian InvestorScottie Resources reports new drill results at Scottie Gold Mine Project, British Columbia CanadiansInvest
Read more »