About this objectDiscovered in 2003 during road-widening works, this is a rare complete tomb of a high-status individual, probably a prince, buried around AD 580 in an underground wooden chamber in eastern England.
The chamber contained items needed for the occupant in the next life and those showing his high status. They included weapons, a lyre, glass cups [EXH122], and the remains of a small box containing a silver spoon and other personal items.
The corpse had decayed, but gold-foil crosses [EXH121], gold braid, and gold belt buckle showed its placement within a coffin. The crosses—originally placed over his eyes—suggested he was a Christian. The tomb also contained a flagon [EXH105] that probably came from the pilgrimage shrine of St. Sergius in Syria (and see our Pilgrimage Story).
Date Made580
PeriodAnglo-Saxon
Place MadeEngland
Subject and Association KeywordsPilgrimage
Subject and Association KeywordsDeath and burials
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Blackmore et al 2019; Hurst and Scull 2019;
