Anglo-Saxon Treasure Hoard: Ritual Killing Discovery
- Okay, here's a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key information and potential interpretations:
- Main Topic: The discovery of a collection of five Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pendants found buried on a hillside in Donington, UK.
- * Unusual Find: It's unusual to find such pendants not in a grave.
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key information and potential interpretations:
Main Topic: The discovery of a collection of five Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pendants found buried on a hillside in Donington, UK.
Key Findings & Details:
* Unusual Find: It’s unusual to find such pendants not in a grave. Typically, these were found with high-status women’s burials.
* Condition of Pendants: The pendants show wear, damage, and modifications, suggesting they were old (at least 60 years) when buried. This implies they weren’t newly made items buried with someone at the time of death.
* No Other Artifacts: No other artifacts or human remains were found with the pendants.
* Pendant Descriptions:
* One is D-shaped, weighing 6.7 grams, with a large garnet in a scallop-shaped gold setting. The scallop shape is symbolically linked to fertility and potentially Christianity.
* The other four are circular with star and beaded motifs.
* One is a dome-shaped portion of a brooch, suggesting it was removed for reuse – a rare practice.
* Not a Necklace: The pendants weren’t found with beads or spacers, so they likely weren’t part of a single necklace.
Possible Interpretations (as proposed by the archaeologist, Brundle):
- Safekeeping/Ritual Burial: Someone may have intentionally collected the pendants and buried them for safekeeping or as part of a ritual.
- Smith’s Hoard: The pendants could have been collected by a goldsmith who was gathering antique materials to rework into new jewelry. Garnet supplies were dwindling at the time, making older pieces valuable.
- Grave robbing: The pendants could have been obtained through grave robbing, targeting the jewelry of high-status women.
Overall Significance:
the Donington find is intriguing as it challenges typical archaeological expectations. It suggests a more complex story than a simple burial, potentially involving collecting, reuse, and perhaps even illicit activity. The pendants offer a glimpse into the value placed on these items and the practices surrounding their use and preservation in seventh-century England.
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