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Sarre Grave A

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posted on 2021-11-10, 15:41 authored by Helena HamerowHelena Hamerow
In August last, in chalk land at Sarr, about 6 feet below the surface, some workmen, in excavating the soil for the erection of a steam-engine, found the following relics: A fibula [BM 1860, 1024.1], a bulla, four gold coins or medals [BM 1860, 1024.2], a large and symmetrical bronze bowl [BM 1860, 1024.3], a metal pin [BM 1860, 1024.4], bead of amethystine quartz, necklace of beads of amber and of coloured clays [BM 1860, 1024.2], iron weapons, metal clasp of large purse, and some pieces of iron, the use of which I was at a loss to determine. These were deposited in a grave where a skeleton was found lying with the head north-west by south-east. The skull of the defunct was tolerably entire: it was rather thick, with a low forehead, and posterior part somewhat protuberant; but, with the exception of a few of the vertebrae and some fragmentary bones, little else remained. The teeth indicated that the deceased was of no very advanced age. A second grave, near the first, was also found, but it contained nothing but a few bones. The fibula found in the first grave was very beautiful, and nearly perfect. It had lain on the left breast. [...] A small metal pin, and a seax or knife [BM 1860, 1024.3], were also found in the grave, together with a large sword [weaving batten], a relic but rarely discovered in the Anglo-Saxon interments, and which is probably indicative of the rank of high command of the deceased warrior.

History

Grave title

Graves

Date excavated

1860

Reference

Brent 1886

Page number

178

Sonia Hawkes description

2, possibly 3 gravesa. 4 coins as pendants, b. single mosaic pendant, c. 18 beads, d. circular gold fibula, e. bronze bowl, f. large swordbones of sheep and oxen

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    The Novum Inventorium Sepulchrale

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