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Archaeologists conducting one of the largest excavations in Britain have uncovered an elaborate burial site featuring a horse interred alongside two individuals. This significant find is part of the Oxford Cotswold Archaeology (OCA) project taking place ahead of the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station near Leiston, Suffolk. According to Len Middleton, an archaeologist and project officer on the dig, the burial follows the same elite customs observed at other notable Anglo-Saxon sites such as Sutton Hoo, Snape, and Prittlewell, marking it as an important national discovery.
Due to the acidic nature of the soil, the remains were not preserved in their entirety but appeared instead as delicate sand skeletons—impressions and shadows revealing the contours of the bodies and the horse. The grave contained a fully harnessed horse, as well as weapons and personal belongings, which further emphasizes its prestigious nature. Middleton explained, “Soil conditions have resulted in little preservation – we are instead left with striking sand silhouettes that capture the outlines of the bodies in remarkable detail.” He also highlighted the wider significance of the discovery in expanding knowledge about power, faith, and identity during early medieval times along the East Anglian coastline.
This particular burial mound is one of eleven Anglo-Saxon barrows identified, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. These finds are contemporaneous with important royal and princely burials such as those at Sutton Hoo and Snape in East Suffolk, and the Prittlewell Prince’s tomb near Southend-on-Sea in Essex. Nigel Cann, CEO of Sizewell C, stated that the grave was uncovered during preparatory work for the new 6.5-kilometer Sizewell Link Road. He praised the discovery as “offering a fascinating glimpse into Suffolk’s rich heritage and the lives of its early communities,” noting the careful documentation and safeguarding of the site for further research.
The ongoing archaeological efforts involve over 200 specialists working across approximately 70 locations before the power station’s development progresses. In 2023, these teams made remarkable finds, including a hoard of 321 silver coins from the 11th century. Some of the 2024 discoveries will feature on the television program Digging for Britain, where Rosanna Price, OCA’s archaeology engagement manager, regularly reports on site activities. The project has revealed an array of artifacts ranging from early Neolithic post holes, stone tools, and pottery dated between 4000 and 3500 BC, to a Bronze Age cremation urn and an unusually well-preserved Iron Age oak ladder. Additionally, medieval pilgrim badges made of Venetian glass and even a sealed bottle of beer from a World War II site have been excavated.
Price expressed her personal connection to the work, saying she feels privileged to witness Suffolk’s “expansive and epic history” emerging from beneath the soil. She remarked, “All human life – from conflict to domestic issues to eating to self-care to death – it’s all there, uncovered at Sizewell.” Local officials also emphasized the importance of these findings, with Debbie Richards, deputy cabinet member for archaeology and landscape partnerships at Suffolk County Council, stating, “Suffolk continues to reveal its stunning past, and the magnitude of these discoveries should not be under-estimated.” While the artifacts will become part of the council’s archive, some will be publicly displayed at an open event in Yoxford Village Hall in February, offering a unique opportunity for the community to engage with their heritage
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