Current:Home > NewsU.K. archaeologists uncover ancient grave holding teen girl, child and treasures: "Striking discovery"-LoTradeCoin
U.K. archaeologists uncover ancient grave holding teen girl, child and treasures: "Striking discovery"
View Date:2024-12-23 16:58:37
Construction for an electricity project in the United Kingdom has led to several important archeological findings since 2020 that shed light on chapters of ancient history and the people who lived during them.
One especially interesting discovery was recently made in Lincolnshire, in eastern England, where archaeologists uncovered a grave dating back at least 1,400 years.
The Anglo-Saxon burial site included the remains of more than 20 people, along with a range of tools, jewelry and pottery, the British archaeological organization Wessex Archaeology announced this week.
Anglo-Saxon communities during the early Middle Ages existed across most of what is now England. This particular burial site was formed during the 6th and 7th centuries A.D., the organization said, citing experts.
Among the remains discovered were those of a teenage girl and a child, found lying on their sides with the child tucked behind the teenager, according to Wessex Archaeology. The older girl was buried with two gold pendants and a silver pendant around her head or chest, along with two turquoise glass beads and a ring-shaped brooch. Some of the discoveries were featured this week in a segment on the BBC series "Digging for Britain."
"Although many Anglo-Saxon cemeteries are known in Lincolnshire, most were excavated decades ago when the focus was on the grave goods, not the people buried there," Jacqueline McKinley, the principal osteoarcheologist at Wessex Archaeology, said in a statement. Osteoarcheology is the study of archaeological human remains.
"Excitingly, here we can employ various scientific advancements, including isotopic and DNA analyses," McKinley said. "This will give us a far better understanding of the population, from their mobility to their genetic background and even their diet."
Special forensic analyses will be conducted to determine the relationship, if any, between the teenage girl and the child. Wessex Archaeology said that research will additionally "help to identify familial relationships and broader genetic links both within this community and between others in the region, and the movement of people in wider society." Experts will also study the layout of the ancient cemetery and the artifacts found within it to learn more about the culture of the community and its economy.
"As this research unfolds, we hope to greatly extend our understanding of Anglo-Saxon life and death in the region," Wessex Archaeology said.
The cemetery was initially uncovered by workers digging along part of the construction route for Viking Link, a massive energy project that aims to create a cable line between England and Denmark so the two countries can share electricity. The underground line will mainly run through the North Sea, but portions of it will extend onto land to connect to converter stations. In the U.K., the line will end at a converter station in Lincolnshire.
Fifty archaeological sites have been discovered along the land-based cable route since 2020. Some notable finds include a wheelbarrow dating back to the Bronze Age and a Romano-British farmstead. Wessex Archaeology deemed the cemetery remains "the most striking discovery" of all.
Peter Bryant, who led the project for Viking Link, said unearthing so many historical sites and artifacts on the cable route was unexpected.
"It was surprising how many artefacts we found across the route," Bryant said in a statement. "It has been very interesting and exciting to help unearth the hidden treasures that have lain dormant for hundreds of years, in such a careful way. It was a pleasure working with Wessex Archaeology on this journey through time."
- In:
- Archaeologist
- United Kingdom
Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She covers breaking news, often focusing on crime and extreme weather. Emily Mae has previously written for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (7765)
Related
- Everard Burke Introduce
- Celine Dion talks accepting stiff person syndrome diagnosis, first meeting husband at 12
- Bill allowing parents to be fined for child’s criminal offenses heads to Tennessee governor
- Dramatic dashcam video shows good Samaritans rush to pull man from burning car
- Katharine Hayhoe’s Post-Election Advice: Fight Fear, Embrace Hope and Work Together
- U.S. News & World Report lists its best electric and hybrid vehicles for 2024
- Hotter temperatures mean higher utility costs for millions of Americans
- Suspect arrested in break-in at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s home, police say
- Watch: Military dad's emotional return after a year away
- Here's how to track the status of your 2024 tax refund
Ranking
- Jelly Roll goes to jail (for the best reason) ahead of Indianapolis concert
- Lawyer defending New Hampshire in youth center abuse trial attacks former resident’s credibility
- Milwaukee man charged in dismemberment death pleads not guilty
- Insider Q&A: Trust and safety exec talks about AI and content moderation
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- Yikes! Your blood sugar crashed. Here's how to avoid that again.
- PEN America calls off awards ceremony amid criticism over its response to Israel-Hamas war
- Patti Smith was 'moved' to be mentioned on Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets Department'
Recommendation
-
Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards: 'He brought so much joy'
-
Nets hire Jordi Fernandez: What to know about Brooklyn's new head coach
-
Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis' 10-Year-Old Son Otis Is All Grown Up in Rare Photo
-
Trial opens for former Virginia hospital medical director accused of sexual abuse of ex-patients
-
The Stanley x LoveShackFancy Collaboration That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back for Part 2—Don’t Miss Out!
-
2nd victim dies from injuries after Texas man drove stolen semitrailer into building, officials say
-
Put a Spring in Your Step With Kate Spade's $31 Wallets, $55 Bags & More (Plus, Save an Extra 20% Off)
-
Jets trade Zach Wilson to Broncos, officially cutting bait on former starting QB