Unusual Christian/Pagan Grave Discovered in England

[Michie]

A gold-and-jewel cross found in the grave of a young Anglo-Saxon woman

Ancient Anglo-Saxon “bed burials”–in which the deceased is laid out in a real bed, often with possessions–are rare enough, but they have turned up in England before. Solid gold pectoral crosses are also extremely rare finds in English burials, but again: not completely unknown.

But finding a Christian symbol on a person buried in the old pagan ways? That’s rare enough to make headlines.

How rare? Well, including this one, that makes two. The burials date from maybe the 7th or 8th century, and the cross was found with the body of a young woman laid out in a pagan bed burial. She was probably the Christian daughter of a prominent pagan family:

Continued- http://www.patheos.com/blogs/godandthemachine/2012/03/unusual-christianpagan-grave-discovered-in-england/

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

My late friends two daughters are Anthropology students, and during the summer, they work with a government agency here in Canada that does archaeological surveys before development may take place; much like this situation.

While some may see this as desecration, it is important work.

In this situation, centuries after this young girls death, the excavation of her grave and her beautiful little cross remains for us, a witness to faith in Christ!

 

[Rhamiel]

neat

 

[ebia]

Reminds me very much of St Cuthberts.

Cool.

Trumpington too. Hope the Fitzwilliam gets it.

 

[Gwendolyn]

This is cool! I hope they lay her to rest, though... I still feel uneasy when graves are excavated, especially when bodies are put on display (though mummies sure are cool to examine).

 

[Wolseley]

That's a Canterbury cross....very English:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_cross