The remains of an Anglo-Saxon island have been uncovered in Lincolnshire, England, yielding what researchers say is one of the most important archaeological finds in decades.
The island, once home to a Middle Saxon settlement, was found at Little Carlton near Louth, Lincolnshire, by archaeologists from the University of Sheffield. It is believed that the site represents a previously unknown monastic or trading center dating back to the seventh century.
Graham Vickers, a local metal detectorist, unearthed a silver stylus - an ornate writing tool dating back to the eighth century - in a disturbed plough field. He reported his find and subsequently unearthed hundreds more artifacts, including 20 more styli, 300 dress pins, a large number of Sceattas coins, and a small lead tablet bearing a faint inscription of a female Anglo-Saxon name: "Cudberg."
By carefully noting the GPS location of the remains, Dr. Hugh Willmott and Pete Townend, a doctoral student from the University of Sheffield's Department of Archaeology, were able to get an idea of the settlement buried below.
"Our findings have demonstrated that this is a site of international importance," Dr. Willmott said in a news release. "But its discovery and initial interpretation has only been possible through engaging with a responsible local metal detectorist who reported their finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme."
To visualize the landscape on a large scale, Willmott and Townend conducted targeted geophysical and magnetometry surveys along with 3-D modeling. The archaeologists also digitally raised the water level to its early medieval height, revealing that the island rose from its surroundings much more so than today.
Based on artifacts uncovered, including significant quantities of Middle Saxon pottery and butchered animal bones, researchers believe the island was not home to your ordinary village, but rather a "high-status trading site."
While researchers are only in the early stages of their investigation, nine evaluation trenches have been opened at the site, in the hopes of finding more artifacts that can piece together the mysterious settlement.
"Far from being very isolated in the early medieval period, Lincolnshire was actually connected in a much wider world network, with trade spanning the whole of the North Sea," Willmott added. "This little field in Lincolnshire is part of a connected European trading network."
Their finds add to the history of early medieval times and are "tremendously important," as very few Middle Saxon documents exist.
