A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ gold necklace, estimated to be 1,300 years old, has been discovered in a grave in Harpole, Northamptonshire.
While the grave also contained other treasures, the necklace is said to be the richest of its kind ever uncovered, bearing Roman coins, garnets and semi-precious stones.
The necklace, which was found during a dig in April, dates back to between 630 and 670 AD, during the Saxon period. Left: Necklace layout with artefacts. Right: Necklace reconstruction
Using X-ray technology, the team also located two decorated pots, a shallow copper dish and a large and elaborately decorated cross in the grave (pictured).
It features at least 30 pendants of gold, glass and other high value materials, with a larger, square centrepiece with a cross motif.
This is made of red garnets set in gold, and the experts believe it was originally half of a hinged clasp before it was re-used in the necklace.
The skeleton itself had fully decomposed, however experts were able to identify it as female from the tooth enamel that remained. They also believe that the combination of objects she was buried with suggest she was a high status woman, such as an the head of an abbey or even royalty. Pictured: Harpole burial reconstruction
The necklace is said to be the richest of its type ever uncovered, bearing Roman coins, garnets and semi-precious stones. Pictured: Collection of pendants from necklace
The cross discovered at the burial site featured unusual depictions of human faces cast in silver (pictured), and suggested the occupant was devout
The findings have been named the ‘Harpole Treasure’ after its location, which was within the Kingdom of Mercia during the Early Medieval period.
Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) were examining the site of a new housing development when they stumbled upon the jewellery. Pictured: First appearance of necklace at burial site
Only one other burial was present near to this grave, but did not contain any high-status goods, with the rest of the surrounding area completely unremarkable. Pictured: Necklace being uncovered
Archaeologists are confident there is nothing else to find in the development site, but are now working to carefully preserve all artefacts of the Harpole Treasure.
They are also identifying traces of organic remains within the burial and on the surface of the items, which could reveal if the deceased was placed on a soft bed within the grave, or other clues about her life or burial ritual.
Simon Mortimer, an archaeologist consultant for RPS, which is working with the housing developer Vistry Group, said: ‘This find is truly a once-in-a-lifetime discovery – the sort of thing you read about in textbooks and not something you expect to see coming out of the ground in front of you.’
Mr Mortimer said the discovery shows ‘the fundamental value’ of housing developers funding archaeology, as without this the ‘remarkable burial may never have been found’.
Daniel Oliver, regional technical director at Vistry West Midlands, said the developer has waivered any rights to the ‘internationally important artefacts’.
Liz Mordue, archaeological adviser for West Northamptonshire Council, concluded: ‘This is an exciting find which will shed considerable light on the significance of Northamptonshire in the Saxon period.
‘It also serves as a reminder of the importance of archaeology in the planning and development process.’
On its chain hangs at least 30 pendants of gold, glass and other high value materials, and has a larger, square centrepiece with a cross motif (pictured)
Archaeologists are confident there is nothing else to find in the development site, but are now working to carefully preserve all artefacts of the Harpole Treasure
Experts are now working to identify traces of organic remains within the burial and on the surface of the items. Pictured: Conservator Liz Barham working on the burial