New research questions famed burial of ‘first’ Christian Anglo-Saxon king
Published 10 May 2019, 10:08 BST
Archaeologists identifed the 1,400-year-old Prittlewell tomb as a very early Anglo-Saxon Christian burial, due in part to these gold crosses placed over the eyes of the deceased.
Photograph by Mola
Archaeologist excavating the Prittlewell princely burial (c) MOLA
Photograph by Mola
More than a decade of exacting research has enabled archaeologists to reconstruct the Prittlewell burial chamber in detail.
Photograph by Mola
This copper-alloy bowl was discovered still hanging on the wall of the tomb 1,400 years after its occupant was buried.
Photograph by Mola
Drinking vessels emerge from the chamber during the 2003 excavation.
Photograph by Mola
The top of a wooden drinking bottle features a decorated gold neck.
Photograph by Mola
Photograph by Mola
The remains of a wooden lyre found in the grave feature copper-alloy fittings with garnets from the Indian subcontinent or Sri Lanka—evidence for a far-flung trading network.
Photograph by Mola
This gold belt buckle is believed to have been made especially for the Prittlewell burial in the period between the occupant's death and his funeral.
Photograph by Mola
Gold coins discovered within the immediate vicinity of the man buried in the tomb have helped archaeologists to refine the dating of the burial.
Photograph by Mola
One of two rare, 1,400-year-old blue glass decorated beakers discovered intact within the Prittlewell burial.
Photograph by Mola
