Archaeologists uncover eerie Anglo-Saxon ‘sand bodies’ at nuclear power station site

This post was originally published on this site.

Texas archaeologists uncover ancient king’s tomb in Belize

Texas archaeologists Arlen Chase and Diane Chase recently uncovered the 4th-century tomb of Te’ K’ab Chaak, the earliest ruler of Caracol, a major Mayan city in Belize.(Source: Caracol Archaeological Project;University of Houston)

Excavators recently unearthed anAnglo-Saxon “princely” grave— containing two men, a horse and grave goods — during the construction of a nuclear power station in England.

The discovery was made at the Sizewell C site near Theberton, Suffolk.It dates back to the 7th century A.D.

In a release, officials described the find as a “high-status grave containing two individuals buried alongside a fully harnessed horse, weapons and personal items.”

ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND ARTIFACTS OLDER THAN STONEHENGE BENEATH BRITAIN’S HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT: ‘INCREDIBLY RARE’

The grave goods included weaponry, shields, a bronze vessel and a silver-rimmed cup or horn — all artifacts that indicate the high status of those involved.

“These finds, dating to the 7th century, suggest the individuals were elite members of Anglo-Saxon society and reflect their complex burial traditions,” the statement added.

Split image of archaeologists next to artifacts

Archaeologists uncovered a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon burial at England’s Sizewell C nuclear power station construction site in Suffolk.(Oxford Cotswold Archaeology)

They also found 11 barrows, or burial mounds, containing both cremation and inhumation burials.

ANCIENT ROMAN FORT YIELDS 2,000-YEAR-OLD FRUIT THAT SURVIVED THE CENTURIES, PLUS OTHER TREASURES

Eerily, the skeletons have become “sand bodies�

“The elaborate burials were a form of display, [and] the event was almost a form of drama.”

“What we’re uncovering are ‘sand bodies’ rather than true skeletons — the acidic nature of Suffolk’s sandy soil erodes osseous material, leading to very poor bone survival,” he said.

While the discovery is significant, Fern said it’s relatively normal for a small amount of Anglo-Saxon burials that are found each yearin England.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

“Each cemetery [from] this period reflects the population of a small local community,” said Fern.

“In Suffolk, nearby cemeteries include those at Sutton Hoo, Snape and Rendlesham — and several are known from Ipswich.”

Researchers said the skeletons became “sand bodies” due to acidic soil conditions affecting bone preservation.(Oxford Cotswold Archaeology)

Researchers described the grave as “princely,” rather than belonging to a prince.

The term “indicates the high social status of the grave’s inhabitants,” Fern said.

He added that the most surprising takeaway from the excavation was that Theberton was a wealthierAnglo-Saxon communitythan previously believed.

The burial was unearthed near Theberton, Suffolk, during ongoing construction work at the Sizewell C site.(Oxford Cotswold Archaeology)

“A more class-conscious society [emerged] generally, as well as alongside the gradual conversion of those kingdoms frompaganism to Christianity,” the archaeologist added.

Local families would also show off their wealth in the burial rites, Fern said, as it “reflect[ed] local families in competition for social standing and leadership.”

An illustration depicts Anglo-Saxon warriors from early medieval England.Archaeologists say the burial site reflects a small local Anglo-Saxon community, consistent with others found across Suffolk.(iStock)

The news comes over a year after archaeologists made a similarly significant discovery at the same site.