Sixth-century sword unearthed by Lancashire archaeologists

A sixth-century sword has been unearthed by archaeologists from a Lancashire university.

The well-preserved weapon was recovered by University of Central Lancashire archaeologists from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery near Canterbury in Kent.

The blade was featured on the BBC's Digging for Britain programme on Tuesday, January 7.

The sword, which has a silver-and-gilt hilt, features inscriptions in a runic script (runes were used in Northern Europe before the adoption of the Latin alphabet).

Traces of the sword's leather and wood scabbard, lined with beaver fur, were also recovered.

Alongside the sword, the archaeologists unearthed a gold pendant inscribed with a serpent or a dragon, which is thought to have been worn by a woman of high status or kept as a family keepsake.

Other treasures found on the site include spears, shields, and other swords (primarily in men’s graves), and knives, buckles, brooches, and other artefacts (in women’s graves).

Professor of Archaeology at the University of Central Lancashire, Duncan Sayer, led the discovery.

He said: "Swords like this were more than weapons, they were symbols of authority and lordship that were passed down for generations.

"This one was so closely associated with the man it was buried with that he looks to have been hugging it."

So far, the discoveries at the site have been made from only 12 of more than 200 graves - and the team are hoping to uncover even more artefacts as they continue to excavate the site.

Digging for Britain: Saxon Gold and Buried Coins can be viewed on BBC iPlayer.