An investigation of nationally-important Viking discoveries, sparked when a Cumbrian metal detectorist found a brooch in 2004, have paved the way to six Viking burials hinting at a culture and tales from a volatile period of political history
Click on the picture to launch the galleryA buckle from one of the female graves. The combination of tin plating, boss-capped rivets and ring-and-dot decoration is a feature shared by four buckles and two strap ends from Cumwhitton, and other examples from the surrounding area. This may point to a local place of manufacture
asset_arena/2/05/48/484502/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/2/05/48/484502/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
In 2004, two Viking oval brooches were found by a metal detectorist, leading to the discovery and excavation of a rare tenth-century cemetery
asset_arena/3/05/48/484503/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/3/05/48/484503/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
This axehead, with a preserved section of mineralised wooden shaft, unusually proved to be boxwood. The axe had been thrust into an oak board at the base of the grave, perhaps the remains of a bier on which the deceased was placed
asset_arena/4/05/48/484504/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/4/05/48/484504/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
A ringed pin for fastening a cloak. These pins originated in Ireland, but became very popular amongst Scandinavian communities, finding their way back to the homelands. This example also preserves a small piece of textile on the shank
asset_arena/6/05/48/484506/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/6/05/48/484506/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
A corroded group of metal objects, which comprises a sickle blade, shears, and an antler or bone comb. The latter was preserved as a mineralised deposit by the corrosion of the ironwork
asset_arena/7/05/48/484507/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/7/05/48/484507/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
The mineralised remains of a horn handle, inlaid with silver wire, on a large knife, or seax, found with one of the male burials. The style of knife suggests it may have been made in the British Isles
asset_arena/8/05/48/484508/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/8/05/48/484508/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
A spur and spur buckles found in one of the graves. These were probably manufactured in England, and whilst the Vikings are famous for fighting on foot, they were also keen horsemen
asset_arena/9/05/48/484509/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/9/05/48/484509/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
Six burials were discovered in total, five of which were clustered together in a group. One of these had a semi-circular ditch around it, perhaps suggesting it was covered by a mound
asset_arena/0/15/48/484510/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/0/15/48/484510/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
The hilltop on which the burials were found, looking towards Cumwhitton village. Based on the objects deposited in the graves, there appear to have been four men and two women buried in the cemetery, though, sadly, the only human remains were a tiny fragment of skull
asset_arena/1/15/48/484511/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/1/15/48/484511/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
One of the authors of the archaeological reports giving a demonstration of Viking combat at an open day to thank the people of Cumwhitton for their co-operation during the excavation
asset_arena/2/15/48/484512/v0_master.jpg
asset_arena/2/15/48/484512/v0_master.jpg
Oxford Archaeology Ltd
Swords, spearheads, spurs, knives and beads were among the objects carried by the east-west orientated graves, with a decorated drinking horn, the silver-inlaid horn handle of a seax and a wooden locking box of textiles proving particularly revealing under further analysis.
- Visit Adam Parson’s blog for English Heritage and read the full report (opens in PDF).
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
Pics: Oxford Archaeology Ltd
More from Culture24's Archaeology section:
Archaeologists put world's largest hoard of Celtic coins on display at Jersey Museum
Urethral syringe used in 19th century venereal treatment declared best archaeological find
Medieval animal hide tanning, architecture and ditch revealed by archaeologists in Edinburgh
