Working on the Viking Link project, Archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology have uncovered a significant Anglo-Saxon cemetery during excavations for the National Grid’s Viking Link project, the world’s longest land and subsea interconnector for sharing energy with the continent. The discovery was featured in BBC’s Digging for Britain this January.
The excavations, spanning along the onshore cable route since 2020, have revealed a wealth of evidence, including a Bronze Age ring ditch and a Romano-British farmstead. However, The most remarkable discovery is the Anglo-Saxon cemetery that dates back to the 6th and 7th centuries CE.
The burial ground includes 23 individuals, with artifacts such as knives, jewelry, and ceramic vessels found alongside the remains. Notable burials involve a teenage girl and a child, both laid on their sides, with the girl adorned with two gold pendants set with garnets, an annular brooch, two blue glass beads, and a silver pendant with an amber mount.
Peter Bryant, who led the Viking Link project, expressed his excitement about the extensive artifacts found across the cable route, particularly mentioning the gold Anglo-Saxon pendant from the burial ground.
The focus of the excavations deliberately centered on a Bronze Age ring ditch, indicating an established funerary landscape. Jacqueline McKinley, Principal Osteoarchaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, noted that many Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in Lincolnshire were previously excavated with an emphasis on grave goods rather than the individuals buried. The current project utilizes scientific advancements, including isotopic and DNA analyses, offering a better understanding of the population’s mobility, genetic background, and diet.
Regarding the relationship between the teenage girl and the child, McKinley mentioned that ongoing research and analysis aim to identify familial relationships and broader genetic links within the community and the region. The study also investigates the economic, cultural, and social factors influencing the community, including the import of exotic goods and the health of those buried in different parts of the cemetery.
The researchers’ plan includes isotopic and DNA analyses to provide insights into familiar relationships, genetic links, and the movement of people in wider society. Jacqueline McKinley underscored the unique opportunities afforded by this excavation, stating, “Excitingly, here we can employ various scientific advancements, including isotopic and DNA analyses.”
