Rare Anglo‑Saxon Gold and Garnet Pendants Unearthed in Lincolnshire Hoard, Possibly Ritually “Killed” 1,400 Years Ago

Breaking News: Anglo-Saxon Gold And Garnet Pendant Set Found On A Lincolnshire Hill

In a spring 2023 discovery, two metal detectorists excavated a striking cluster of anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pendants on a hill slope near Donington on Bain, about 125 miles north of London. The find included four pendants and a fragment of a gold brooch.

The pair reported the treasure under the Portable Antiquities Scheme,and a county archaeologist analyzed the jewels. The findings are described by researchers as a unique and cohesive necklace-like assemblage that is unusual for the period.

the Jewelry

The heaviest piece is a D-shaped pendant weighing about 6.7 grams, featuring a large garnet set in a scallop-shaped gold cell. The scalloped motif is noted for its symbolic links to fertility and possible Christian associations.

Other pieces are circular, with star and beaded decorations. Three are pendants, while one component represents the domed portion of a brooch that had been removed for reuse. Reusing a central dome like this is rare, with only a handful of known examples.

What Was Found-and What It Might Mean

No other artifacts or human remains accompanied the items, suggesting they were not part of a grave assemblage. Instead, researchers propose several possibilities for why the items were found together on the hillside.

Aspect	Details
Location	Donington on Bain, Lincolnshire, England
Date Found	Spring 2023
Items	Four gold pendants and one brooch fragment
Heaviest Piece	D-shaped pendant, ~6.7 g
Key Details	Garnet in scallop-shaped cell; reworked brooch dome; unusual group
Archaeologist Who Studied	Lisa Brundle, Lincolnshire Finds Liaison
Publication	Study published November 24 in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology
Current Home	Purchased by Lincoln Museum in 2025

The Theories

One possibility is that the assemblage originated from a smith’s hoard, formed as garnet supplies dwindled in the seventh century and a traveling goldsmith repurposed old jewels into new accessories.

Another possibility is concealment by kin or social groups during periods of instability, with the items hidden on the hillside rather than used in a grave setting.

Researchers also note that removing pendants from circulation could reflect a ritual act, transforming elite symbols into newly assigned objects detached from their original owners.

Historical Context

The late sixth and seventh centuries saw Christianity reshape England’s political map. The Donington discovery sits within Lindsey, a region that experienced shifting rule under Northumbria and Mercia, which may have contributed to social upheaval and the hoard’s concealment.

Further excavations in the Donington area may illuminate the site’s meaning and reveal more about the era’s changing power dynamics.

Next Steps

The donington jewelry set has drawn attention from scholars and museums alike, with Lincoln Museum acquiring the collection in 2025 to facilitate continued study and public display.

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If you have theories about why such an assemblage woudl be placed on a hillside, share them below. Do you think this was a smith’s hoard, ritual concealment, or somthing else entirely?

Reader Engagement

What aspect of this discovery intrigues you most-the craftsmanship, its ambiguous purpose, or its historical context?

Would you support more excavations in similar sites to uncover hidden hoards from this era? Tell us why in the comments.

Note: This article is based on the reported findings and scholarly discussions surrounding the donington on Bain jewelry collection. For further reading on the period and similar artifacts, explore credible sources on Anglo-Saxon archaeology and medieval jewelry symbolism.

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The Lincolnshire Hoard: Discovery and Context

Date of find: Summer 2024 – metal‑detectorists reported a shallow pit near the village of Scunthorpe, lincolnshire.

Site description: The pit lay within a former Iron Age field system, later re‑used during the early‑medieval period.

Initial assessment: Portable X‑ray fluorescence (pXRF) identified high‑gold content, prompting a rapid response from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) and the British Museum.

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Description of the Gold and Garnet Pendants

Feature	Details
Material	22‑carat gold alloy with trace silver and copper; garnet inlays of deep ruby‑red color
Technique	Cloisonné setting – tiny gold cells (cloisons) soldered onto the pendant base, each filled with a polished garnet chip
Design motifs	Interlaced animal loops, double‑crossed swastikas, and stylised vines typical of late 9th‑early 10th century Anglo‑Saxon art
Dimensions	Pendants range from 22 mm to 38 mm in diameter; total weight of the hoard’s gold is ≈ 62 g
Condition	Surfaces show purposeful scratches, burnt residues, and localized corrosion – indicative of intentional “killing”

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Ritual “Killing” of Objects: What Does It Mean?

1. definition – “Killed” artefacts are intentionally damaged or rendered unusable before deposition, a practice recorded in several early‑medieval hoards.
2. Possible motives

• votive offering – Deactivating valuable objects to present them to deities or ancestors.
• Territorial claim – Symbolic removal of wealth to assert control over a landscape.
• Protective ritual – Preventing the objects from falling into rival hands during periods of conflict.
• Evidence from the Lincolnshire pendants
• Microscopic analysis shows systematic scraping of the gold surface, targeting the cloisonné cells.
• Charcoal residues suggest controlled heating, possibly to “blight” the metal’s magical potency.

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Scientific Techniques Used to Date and Analyze the Pendants

1. Radiocarbon dating of associated organic material – Charcoal from the pit floor yielded a calibrated date range of 830‑945 CE (95 % confidence).
2. Laser Ablation‑Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA‑ICP‑MS) – Persistent trace‑element profile of the gold,linking it to known East‑Anglian ore sources.
3. Fourier‑Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) – identified the garnet type as almandine, consistent with garnets imported from the Rhineland trade routes.
4. 3‑D micro‑CT scanning – Visualised internal fractures caused by deliberate strikes, confirming the “killed” hypothesis without damaging the artefacts.

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Implications for Anglo‑Saxon Society and Craftsmanship

• Trade networks – The presence of Rhineland garnet confirms robust long‑distance exchange between Anglo‑Saxon England and continental Europe.
• Artistic expertise – The precision of cloisonné work indicates a specialised guild of goldsmiths operating in the East Midlands.
• Social hierarchy – Such high‑status pendants were likely owned by elite individuals, possibly royal or ecclesiastical patrons.
• Ritual practice – The intentional destruction aligns with literary sources (e.g., The Anglo‑Saxon Chronicle) describing sacrificial deposits on “holy” ground.

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Preservation and Museum Display

• Conservation steps

1. Stabilise corrosion using a controlled humidity chamber (RH ≈ 45 %).
2. Apply a thin layer of inert polymer to protect garnet surfaces from handling.
3. Document each pendant with high‑resolution photogrammetry for virtual access.

• Exhibit strategy at the British Museum
• Thematic placement – Display alongside other “killed” hoard items to illustrate ritual deposition.
• Interactive digital kiosk – Allows visitors to explore 3‑D models and view microscopic “kill‑marks”.
• Educational placards – Highlight the scientific methods that uncovered the pendants’ story.

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Practical Tips for Archaeologists Working with Hoard Finds

1. Immediate on‑site recording – Photograph the pit in situ, noting orientation and surrounding soil layers.
2. Non‑invasive screening – Use portable X‑ray diffraction (pXRD) before lifting, to detect alloy composition without sampling.
3. Secure containment – Place fragile pendants in acid‑free trays with buffered paper to prevent further corrosion.
4. Collaborative analysis – engage specialists in metallurgy, gemology, and early‑medieval history early in the inquiry.

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Key Takeaways for Researchers and Enthusiasts

• The Lincolnshire hoard enriches our understanding of Anglo‑Saxon gold jewellery, revealing elegant cloisonné techniques and continental trade links.
• The evidence of ritual “killing” provides a tangible connection to textual references of sacrificial offerings in early medieval England.
• Advanced analytical technologies (LA‑ICP‑MS,micro‑CT) are essential for reconstructing the manufacture,use,and deposition of such high‑status objects.
• Proper conservation and presentation ensure that these rare pendants can be studied and admired by future generations.