Post by jadedsage on Sept 7, 2004 12:48:55 GMT -5
Sep 7 2004
By Tony Henderson, The Journal
A sensational find of what is the first Viking burial ground in England has been made by a metal detectorist.
The six Viking men and women, complete with swords and spears, jewellery, firemaking materials and riding equipment, has been discovered near Cumwhitton, between Brampton and Carlisle in Cumbria.
The site, believed to date from the 10th Century, was unearthed following the discovery by detectorist Peter Adams of two Viking Age copper brooches. A press conference has been called for today at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle.
The grave of a Viking woman was found beneath the brooches. She had been buried with a wooden chest at her feet, which X-rays suggest may hold weaving equipment.
Further excavation led to the discovery of the graves of another woman and four men 10 metres away from the first grave. The four men were buried with weaponry, two had firemaking materials, and one was buried with spurs, a possible bridle and what is thought to be the remains of a drinking horn.
The Viking woman was buried wearing a magnificent jet bracelet and with a copper alloy belt fitting, among other goods.
The sandy soil of the area means that while the bodies have decomposed, their equipment had remained exactly where it was buried more than 1,000 years ago, providing a unique opportunity to excavate a Viking Age cemetery.
Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, who was scheduled to visit nearby Birdoswald Roman fort today said: "This incredible find provides rare archaeological evidence of the Vikings as settlers who integrated themselves into English life. It reveals the presence of the Vikings as a community group including woman and challenges the warlords stereotype as depicted by Hollywood."
Mr Adams, believed to be from Keswick, described the discovery as the find of a lifetime.
He said: "Finding the brooches was just the beginning. By detecting alongside the archaeologists I was also able to locate a sword hilt which led to the second, and main, excavation and the discovery of all six graves."
Arts Minister Estelle Morris said: "We should all be grateful to Mr Adams who recorded his find so promptly."
Mr Adams reported his find via the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), the UK's largest community archaeology project.
Describing the site, Cumbria PAS officer Faye Simpson said: "This was a haunting find. When I first saw the excavated graves, complete with artefacts but the bodies of those buried long decomposed, it seemed as though the people buried there had indeed followed in the footsteps of their ancestors and gone to Valhalla - the Viking afterlife."
Mark Wood, chairman of the Museums, Libraries and Archive Council which manages the Portable Antiquities Scheme said: "This is tremendous news. It is a unique discovery."
The only other known Viking site in England is a cremation at Ingleby in Derbyshire. There ashes were buried in pots and few artefacts survive. The only other group of bodies buried together was a battlefield cemetery at Repton, Derbyshire.
By Tony Henderson, The Journal
A sensational find of what is the first Viking burial ground in England has been made by a metal detectorist.
The six Viking men and women, complete with swords and spears, jewellery, firemaking materials and riding equipment, has been discovered near Cumwhitton, between Brampton and Carlisle in Cumbria.
The site, believed to date from the 10th Century, was unearthed following the discovery by detectorist Peter Adams of two Viking Age copper brooches. A press conference has been called for today at Tullie House Museum in Carlisle.
The grave of a Viking woman was found beneath the brooches. She had been buried with a wooden chest at her feet, which X-rays suggest may hold weaving equipment.
Further excavation led to the discovery of the graves of another woman and four men 10 metres away from the first grave. The four men were buried with weaponry, two had firemaking materials, and one was buried with spurs, a possible bridle and what is thought to be the remains of a drinking horn.
The Viking woman was buried wearing a magnificent jet bracelet and with a copper alloy belt fitting, among other goods.
The sandy soil of the area means that while the bodies have decomposed, their equipment had remained exactly where it was buried more than 1,000 years ago, providing a unique opportunity to excavate a Viking Age cemetery.
Sir Neil Cossons, chairman of English Heritage, who was scheduled to visit nearby Birdoswald Roman fort today said: "This incredible find provides rare archaeological evidence of the Vikings as settlers who integrated themselves into English life. It reveals the presence of the Vikings as a community group including woman and challenges the warlords stereotype as depicted by Hollywood."
Mr Adams, believed to be from Keswick, described the discovery as the find of a lifetime.
He said: "Finding the brooches was just the beginning. By detecting alongside the archaeologists I was also able to locate a sword hilt which led to the second, and main, excavation and the discovery of all six graves."
Arts Minister Estelle Morris said: "We should all be grateful to Mr Adams who recorded his find so promptly."
Mr Adams reported his find via the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), the UK's largest community archaeology project.
Describing the site, Cumbria PAS officer Faye Simpson said: "This was a haunting find. When I first saw the excavated graves, complete with artefacts but the bodies of those buried long decomposed, it seemed as though the people buried there had indeed followed in the footsteps of their ancestors and gone to Valhalla - the Viking afterlife."
Mark Wood, chairman of the Museums, Libraries and Archive Council which manages the Portable Antiquities Scheme said: "This is tremendous news. It is a unique discovery."
The only other known Viking site in England is a cremation at Ingleby in Derbyshire. There ashes were buried in pots and few artefacts survive. The only other group of bodies buried together was a battlefield cemetery at Repton, Derbyshire.