- There is a military airbase in Suffolk, where the fighter
planes roar overhead and hundreds of young men and women learn the skills
of modern warfare. But underneath their feet lie the remains of ancient
warriors who fought to defend their land in Anglo-Saxon times.
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- An archaeological dig at the US airbase, near Lakenheath,
has unearthed an Anglo-Saxon cemetery containing the bones of dozens of
soldiers and their families.
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- When the site was excavated, one grave stood out from
the rest. Bigger than the others, it had been covered with a burial mound
which, in a cemetery of unmarked graves, showed its occupant as someone
of importance. Lying in the chalky earth, buried with all his weapons,
were the skeleton of a soldier and the perfect remains of his horse. They
were buried 1,400 years ago.
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- Julian Richards, an archaeologist who helped to research
the findings for a BBC documentary, said the grave was one of the most
impresssive examples of Anglo-Saxon burial grounds to be discovered.
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- "We knew that important men were sometimes buried
with their horses but this is the first time we have found the bones in
such good condition and with so many weapons as well," he said. "The
horse was still wearing its bridle, which is also a unique find."
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- Mr Richards said the soldier was almost certainly the
leader of the community. "We know he was important because his horse
was sacrificed on his death. He was also buried with a large number of
weapons including a spear, a sword and a knife although he did not die
from battle wounds," he said.
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- "It could simply be that the weapons were included
in the grave to signify his power."
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- The warrior was about 5ft 10in tall and died at the age
of 30 but his remains did not reveal the cause of his death. He probably
died from illness.
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- Further examination of the bones revealed that the warrior
had suffered from some minor back problems. "These were quite common
in Anglo-Saxon men and could have been caused by lifting heavy weights
or falling off a horse," Mr Richards said.
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- The horse had been stunned by a heavy blow to the head
before its throat was cut. It was then buried wearing its battle regalia
and with a bucket, perhaps containing water for the long journey to the
next world, placed beside its head.
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- The soldier had been buried in a wooden coffin with his
weapons laid on the top. There was a knife and some sheep bones, his food,
and he was wearing his shield.
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- The remains are currently in storage at the Suffolk Archeological
Unit but will go on display in a local museum later this year.
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- Meet the Ancestors' will be shown on BBC2 tomorrow at
9pm. A BBC book accompanies the series.
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