'Groundbreaking' archaeological discovery made near Marlow
Burial site of a rich 6th century warlord uncovered.
Earlier this year archaeologists from the University of Reading say they made a groundbreaking discovery near Marlow on the Buckinghamshire-Berkshire border.
It was described as a richly furnished burial of a tribal warlord dating from the early Anglo-Saxon period.
The archaeologists moved in after the discovery of the ‘Marlow Warlord’ was made by metal detectorist Sue Washington on a club trip. Time was of essence because of the very shallow depth of the burial and the threat from continued agricultural activity.
The archaeologists found an extensive range of weaponry and other grave furnishings, buried with an imposing, six-foot-tall man representing a high-status warlord from the 6th century AD.
Dr Gabor Thomas from the University of Reading says:
"He was an elite male buried with an array of objects. Things like glass and bronze vessels, dress accessories, probably most spectacular of all was a really well-preserved iron sword"
Significance
The mid-Thames is traditionally regarded as a shadowy and poorly understood ‘borderland’. The findings could change how historians think about the region in the Anglo-Saxon period, 5th-11th centuries A.D.
The burial discovery indicates that prior to the expansion of neighbouring kingdoms, the mid-Thames region hosted its own tribal grouping. The ongoing work to analyse the items and remains will unlock new insights the identity of the warlord and tribal region under his control. And you can help reveal these mysteries.
Next step
Experts will now carry out essential conservation work on the findings from the burial, so that the items can go on public display in Buckinghamshire Museum.
Items found include a sword in an exceptionally well-preserved scabbard, spears and a range of other treasured personal possessions.
Funding is needed to enable a detailed programme of scientific analysis and conservation to be undertaken on the grave items so that the Marlow warlord can be fully understood in his regional context.
A crowdfunding site has been set up: https://reading.hubbub.net/p/marlowwarlord/
The University of Reading archaeology team say that by placing the objects in a museum display where people can see them with their own eyes it will secure a long-term public legacy for a remarkable discovery.