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1 | 00:00:19,333 | 00:00:21,609 | We might be a small island, | We might be a small island, |
2 | 00:00:21,633 | 00:00:24,243 | but we've got a big history. | but we've got a big history. |
3 | 00:00:24,267 | 00:00:25,443 | Everywhere you stand, | Everywhere you stand, |
4 | 00:00:25,467 | 00:00:28,009 | there are worlds beneath your feet. | there are worlds beneath your feet. |
5 | 00:00:28,033 | 00:00:29,409 | And so every year, | And so every year, |
6 | 00:00:29,433 | 00:00:32,209 | hundreds of archaeologists across Britain | hundreds of archaeologists across Britain |
7 | 00:00:32,233 | 00:00:34,209 | go looking for more clues. | go looking for more clues. |
8 | 00:00:34,233 | 00:00:37,509 | Who lived here, when, and how? | Who lived here, when, and how? |
9 | 00:00:37,533 | 00:00:39,843 | You can even see the architecture of the bone | You can even see the architecture of the bone |
10 | 00:00:39,867 | 00:00:41,209 | inside the jaw there. | inside the jaw there. |
11 | 00:00:41,233 | 00:00:45,276 | Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle | Archaeology is a complex jigsaw puzzle |
12 | 00:00:45,300 | 00:00:49,176 | drawing together everything from skeletons to swords, | drawing together everything from skeletons to swords, |
13 | 00:00:49,200 | 00:00:51,376 | temples to treasure. | temples to treasure. |
14 | 00:00:51,400 | 00:00:53,730 | She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she? | She's got a very cartoonlike face, hasn't she? |
15 | 00:00:55,467 | 00:00:59,376 | From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest | From Orkney to Devon, were joining this year's quest |
16 | 00:00:59,400 | 00:01:03,076 | on sea, land, and air. | on sea, land, and air. |
17 | 00:01:03,100 | 00:01:04,676 | We'll share all of the questions | We'll share all of the questions |
18 | 00:01:04,700 | 00:01:07,509 | and find some of the answers | and find some of the answers |
19 | 00:01:07,533 | 00:01:10,409 | as we join the teams in the field | as we join the teams in the field |
20 | 00:01:10,433 | 00:01:12,273 | digging for Britain. | digging for Britain. |
21 | 00:01:19,233 | 00:01:23,776 | The Anglo-Saxons invaded and divided our island | The Anglo-Saxons invaded and divided our island |
22 | 00:01:23,800 | 00:01:26,500 | and ushered in the Dark Ages. | and ushered in the Dark Ages. |
23 | 00:01:27,600 | 00:01:31,209 | This year, archaeology is offering fresh clues | This year, archaeology is offering fresh clues |
24 | 00:01:31,233 | 00:01:33,143 | about the people who gave us England, | about the people who gave us England, |
25 | 00:01:33,167 | 00:01:35,427 | the land of the Angles... | the land of the Angles... |
26 | 00:01:36,967 | 00:01:41,427 | ...their warrior culture of swords and ornate burials... | ...their warrior culture of swords and ornate burials... |
27 | 00:01:42,600 | 00:01:44,676 | ...the physical evidence of violence | ...the physical evidence of violence |
28 | 00:01:44,700 | 00:01:46,643 | in a time of blood feuds... | in a time of blood feuds... |
29 | 00:01:46,667 | 00:01:50,076 | And this is sliced down the entire left side of his body. | And this is sliced down the entire left side of his body. |
30 | 00:01:50,100 | 00:01:53,376 | ...and the mystery of the magnificent ring | ...and the mystery of the magnificent ring |
31 | 00:01:53,400 | 00:01:56,209 | once worn by a wealthy Anglo-Saxon | once worn by a wealthy Anglo-Saxon |
32 | 00:01:56,233 | 00:01:58,933 | and never seen publicly, until now. | and never seen publicly, until now. |
33 | 00:02:06,467 | 00:02:11,609 | For almost 400 years, Britannia was a part of the Roman Empire, | For almost 400 years, Britannia was a part of the Roman Empire, |
34 | 00:02:11,633 | 00:02:13,809 | controlled by Rome's legions | controlled by Rome's legions |
35 | 00:02:13,833 | 00:02:16,409 | and strategically positioned forts. | and strategically positioned forts. |
36 | 00:02:16,433 | 00:02:20,209 | But by 410 AD, the troops had withdrawn, | But by 410 AD, the troops had withdrawn, |
37 | 00:02:20,233 | 00:02:22,243 | and raiders began to plunder | and raiders began to plunder |
38 | 00:02:22,267 | 00:02:24,597 | the wealthy and defenseless land. | the wealthy and defenseless land. |
39 | 00:02:26,667 | 00:02:29,343 | In the dying years of the Roman Empire, | In the dying years of the Roman Empire, |
40 | 00:02:29,367 | 00:02:33,043 | the emperor Honorius received pleas from the British people. | the emperor Honorius received pleas from the British people. |
41 | 00:02:33,067 | 00:02:35,909 | But with barbarians to deal with on the home front | But with barbarians to deal with on the home front |
42 | 00:02:35,933 | 00:02:38,176 | and the empire on the brink of collapse, | and the empire on the brink of collapse, |
43 | 00:02:38,200 | 00:02:40,943 | he couldn't afford to send reinforcements. | he couldn't afford to send reinforcements. |
44 | 00:02:40,967 | 00:02:44,597 | The people of Britain would have to look to their own defense | The people of Britain would have to look to their own defense |
45 | 00:02:46,667 | 00:02:50,109 | The island ceased to be part of a coherent empire, | The island ceased to be part of a coherent empire, |
46 | 00:02:50,133 | 00:02:53,543 | and the legacies of Rome were left to crumble. | and the legacies of Rome were left to crumble. |
47 | 00:02:53,567 | 00:02:56,943 | Crucially, written records all but disappeared, | Crucially, written records all but disappeared, |
48 | 00:02:56,967 | 00:03:00,597 | ushering in the so-called Dark Ages. | ushering in the so-called Dark Ages. |
49 | 00:03:02,633 | 00:03:05,043 | Britain was left wide open | Britain was left wide open |
50 | 00:03:05,067 | 00:03:07,909 | to bands of invaders from the continent. | to bands of invaders from the continent. |
51 | 00:03:07,933 | 00:03:11,743 | They included powerful tribes from France, Germany, | They included powerful tribes from France, Germany, |
52 | 00:03:11,767 | 00:03:15,376 | and Scandinavia who we've come to know collectively | and Scandinavia who we've come to know collectively |
53 | 00:03:15,400 | 00:03:17,476 | as the Anglo-Saxons. | as the Anglo-Saxons. |
54 | 00:03:17,500 | 00:03:21,376 | And it wasn't long before they started to feel comfortable | And it wasn't long before they started to feel comfortable |
55 | 00:03:21,400 | 00:03:22,870 | in their new home. | in their new home. |
56 | 00:03:29,300 | 00:03:31,143 | The departure of the Romans | The departure of the Romans |
57 | 00:03:31,167 | 00:03:34,343 | and the arrival of the first Germanic settlers | and the arrival of the first Germanic settlers |
58 | 00:03:34,367 | 00:03:36,309 | is a shady period | is a shady period |
59 | 00:03:36,333 | 00:03:40,073 | recorded by just a sparse collection of texts. | recorded by just a sparse collection of texts. |
60 | 00:03:41,100 | 00:03:42,676 | And even the archaeology | And even the archaeology |
61 | 00:03:42,700 | 00:03:45,243 | that connects us to the people who lived through this period | that connects us to the people who lived through this period |
62 | 00:03:45,267 | 00:03:46,867 | is scarce. | is scarce. |
63 | 00:03:48,400 | 00:03:50,276 | Dorchester-on-Thames has thrown up | Dorchester-on-Thames has thrown up |
64 | 00:03:50,300 | 00:03:52,930 | some of the most important finds. | some of the most important finds. |
65 | 00:03:54,667 | 00:03:57,143 | And a new dig is hoping to add | And a new dig is hoping to add |
66 | 00:03:57,167 | 00:04:00,043 | to the best evidence we have for this transition, | to the best evidence we have for this transition, |
67 | 00:04:00,067 | 00:04:01,809 | a handful of artifacts | a handful of artifacts |
68 | 00:04:01,833 | 00:04:04,509 | that emerged from the fields around Dorchester | that emerged from the fields around Dorchester |
69 | 00:04:04,533 | 00:04:06,503 | over a hundred years ago. | over a hundred years ago. |
70 | 00:04:08,067 | 00:04:12,067 | They're stored here at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. | They're stored here at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. |
71 | 00:04:13,500 | 00:04:16,909 | The objects I'm about to see were found in the 19th century, | The objects I'm about to see were found in the 19th century, |
72 | 00:04:16,933 | 00:04:18,743 | but the fact that they are perhaps | but the fact that they are perhaps |
73 | 00:04:18,767 | 00:04:21,143 | the best archaeological evidence we have | the best archaeological evidence we have |
74 | 00:04:21,167 | 00:04:23,343 | of the earliest Anglo-Saxons in Britain | of the earliest Anglo-Saxons in Britain |
75 | 00:04:23,367 | 00:04:26,043 | gives us an idea of just how rare | gives us an idea of just how rare |
76 | 00:04:26,067 | 00:04:30,297 | those physical traces of the early post-Roman period are. | those physical traces of the early post-Roman period are. |
77 | 00:04:31,567 | 00:04:34,443 | These artifacts came out of the graves | These artifacts came out of the graves |
78 | 00:04:34,467 | 00:04:37,327 | of three people buried in the 5th century. | of three people buried in the 5th century. |
79 | 00:04:38,133 | 00:04:41,243 | One is a burial which seems to be Roman | One is a burial which seems to be Roman |
80 | 00:04:41,267 | 00:04:43,527 | until you look more closely. | until you look more closely. |
81 | 00:04:44,800 | 00:04:48,643 | He was buried wearing a late-Roman belt | He was buried wearing a late-Roman belt |
82 | 00:04:48,667 | 00:04:49,743 | known as a cingulum. | known as a cingulum. |
83 | 00:04:49,767 | 00:04:52,409 | It's really a badge of rank, of status, | It's really a badge of rank, of status, |
84 | 00:04:52,433 | 00:04:56,576 | and this would have been made in Gaul in an imperial workshop, | and this would have been made in Gaul in an imperial workshop, |
85 | 00:04:56,600 | 00:04:58,609 | but the chap wearing it, of course, | but the chap wearing it, of course, |
86 | 00:04:58,633 | 00:05:00,843 | we know lived and died in Britain. | we know lived and died in Britain. |
87 | 00:05:00,867 | 00:05:02,376 | Now, you might just think, | Now, you might just think, |
88 | 00:05:02,400 | 00:05:04,776 | "Well, why couldn't he just have been a Roman soldier?" | "Well, why couldn't he just have been a Roman soldier?" |
89 | 00:05:04,800 | 00:05:10,143 | This is certainly a badge of high rank in the Roman military. | This is certainly a badge of high rank in the Roman military. |
90 | 00:05:10,167 | 00:05:13,309 | But it would be very unusual for a Roman soldier | But it would be very unusual for a Roman soldier |
91 | 00:05:13,333 | 00:05:16,043 | to be buried with his cingulum, with his belt. | to be buried with his cingulum, with his belt. |
92 | 00:05:16,067 | 00:05:19,643 | That's quite a Germanic style of burying your dead. | That's quite a Germanic style of burying your dead. |
93 | 00:05:19,667 | 00:05:21,343 | So he's got Roman objects, | So he's got Roman objects, |
94 | 00:05:21,367 | 00:05:24,043 | but he's buried in an un-Roman way with grave goods. | but he's buried in an un-Roman way with grave goods. |
95 | 00:05:24,067 | 00:05:25,543 | Absolutely. | Absolutely. |
96 | 00:05:25,567 | 00:05:29,076 | Next to him, a woman's grave contained further evidence | Next to him, a woman's grave contained further evidence |
97 | 00:05:29,100 | 00:05:32,309 | of this mixing of Roman and Saxon identities... | of this mixing of Roman and Saxon identities... |
98 | 00:05:32,333 | 00:05:37,043 | a Roman belt buckle alongside two early Saxon broaches. | a Roman belt buckle alongside two early Saxon broaches. |
99 | 00:05:37,067 | 00:05:39,809 | This is a so-called little cruciform broach, | This is a so-called little cruciform broach, |
100 | 00:05:39,833 | 00:05:42,576 | and the other is the back plate | and the other is the back plate |
101 | 00:05:42,600 | 00:05:44,243 | of what's called an applied broach, | of what's called an applied broach, |
102 | 00:05:44,267 | 00:05:48,909 | and that proves that she was not only wearing dress items | and that proves that she was not only wearing dress items |
103 | 00:05:48,933 | 00:05:51,443 | from the Germanic parts of the world, | from the Germanic parts of the world, |
104 | 00:05:51,467 | 00:05:53,043 | but that she was wearing a costume | but that she was wearing a costume |
105 | 00:05:53,067 | 00:05:54,043 | which was really Germanic. | which was really Germanic. |
106 | 00:05:54,067 | 00:05:56,843 | So she's got a mixture of both Roman | So she's got a mixture of both Roman |
107 | 00:05:56,867 | 00:05:59,476 | and Germanic style about her. | and Germanic style about her. |
108 | 00:05:59,500 | 00:06:02,443 | Absolutely, and the fact that she was buried next to | Absolutely, and the fact that she was buried next to |
109 | 00:06:02,467 | 00:06:05,043 | or near to this chap | or near to this chap |
110 | 00:06:05,067 | 00:06:07,509 | and that he was buried in a rather Germanic way, | and that he was buried in a rather Germanic way, |
111 | 00:06:07,533 | 00:06:11,743 | albeit with Roman items, suggests very strongly | albeit with Roman items, suggests very strongly |
112 | 00:06:11,767 | 00:06:14,509 | that these two were Germanic speakers | that these two were Germanic speakers |
113 | 00:06:14,533 | 00:06:16,143 | from the other side of the North Sea. | from the other side of the North Sea. |
114 | 00:06:16,167 | 00:06:18,676 | Another grave added confirmation | Another grave added confirmation |
115 | 00:06:18,700 | 00:06:20,043 | that these people were keen | that these people were keen |
116 | 00:06:20,067 | 00:06:24,367 | to signify themselves as both Roman and Saxon. | to signify themselves as both Roman and Saxon. |
117 | 00:06:24,967 | 00:06:27,043 | The question of what was happening to identities | The question of what was happening to identities |
118 | 00:06:27,067 | 00:06:30,143 | and how these were being reinvented and reformulated | and how these were being reinvented and reformulated |
119 | 00:06:30,167 | 00:06:31,543 | to meet these rapidly changing | to meet these rapidly changing |
120 | 00:06:31,567 | 00:06:33,443 | and rather traumatic circumstances | and rather traumatic circumstances |
121 | 00:06:33,467 | 00:06:34,876 | is extremely interesting. | is extremely interesting. |
122 | 00:06:34,900 | 00:06:36,709 | It's incredibly difficult and rare | It's incredibly difficult and rare |
123 | 00:06:36,733 | 00:06:39,076 | to find objects that can be firmly | to find objects that can be firmly |
124 | 00:06:39,100 | 00:06:42,243 | and definitively dated to the first half of the 5th century. | and definitively dated to the first half of the 5th century. |
125 | 00:06:42,267 | 00:06:45,909 | I mean, whether Roman or Saxon, they're both rare, | I mean, whether Roman or Saxon, they're both rare, |
126 | 00:06:45,933 | 00:06:48,676 | and these burials are some of the best evidence | and these burials are some of the best evidence |
127 | 00:06:48,700 | 00:06:51,900 | for how people were negotiating this very tricky period. | for how people were negotiating this very tricky period. |
128 | 00:06:56,067 | 00:06:58,076 | Connecting with the Dark Ages, | Connecting with the Dark Ages, |
129 | 00:06:58,100 | 00:07:02,230 | even through archaeology, is a real challenge. | even through archaeology, is a real challenge. |
130 | 00:07:03,167 | 00:07:06,909 | The artifacts from those graves scattered around Dorchester | The artifacts from those graves scattered around Dorchester |
131 | 00:07:06,933 | 00:07:08,109 | are fascinating. | are fascinating. |
132 | 00:07:08,133 | 00:07:09,276 | They date to this time | They date to this time |
133 | 00:07:09,300 | 00:07:12,743 | of incredibly dramatic change in Britain. | of incredibly dramatic change in Britain. |
134 | 00:07:12,767 | 00:07:15,043 | But they are just a handful of objects | But they are just a handful of objects |
135 | 00:07:15,067 | 00:07:17,376 | from a very small number of graves. | from a very small number of graves. |
136 | 00:07:17,400 | 00:07:19,109 | We're not looking at a whole cemetery, | We're not looking at a whole cemetery, |
137 | 00:07:19,133 | 00:07:21,709 | let alone a settlement, so we are just glimpsing | let alone a settlement, so we are just glimpsing |
138 | 00:07:21,733 | 00:07:25,933 | a very tiny part of the whole story. | a very tiny part of the whole story. |
139 | 00:07:28,067 | 00:07:29,376 | At this year's dig | At this year's dig |
140 | 00:07:29,400 | 00:07:32,109 | amongst the garden allotments of Dorchester, | amongst the garden allotments of Dorchester, |
141 | 00:07:32,133 | 00:07:34,309 | archaeologists are hoping to add substance | archaeologists are hoping to add substance |
142 | 00:07:34,333 | 00:07:38,073 | to our hazy picture of this time of upheaval. | to our hazy picture of this time of upheaval. |
143 | 00:07:40,800 | 00:07:43,076 | They're not just looking for artifacts, | They're not just looking for artifacts, |
144 | 00:07:43,100 | 00:07:45,776 | but for structures and features, too, | but for structures and features, too, |
145 | 00:07:45,800 | 00:07:49,176 | and in situ in their original context, | and in situ in their original context, |
146 | 00:07:49,200 | 00:07:53,500 | clues to make sense of two overlapping ways of life. | clues to make sense of two overlapping ways of life. |
147 | 00:08:00,800 | 00:08:03,343 | We tend to think of multicultural Britain | We tend to think of multicultural Britain |
148 | 00:08:03,367 | 00:08:05,543 | being a modern phenomenon, | being a modern phenomenon, |
149 | 00:08:05,567 | 00:08:07,076 | but as we look back through history, | but as we look back through history, |
150 | 00:08:07,100 | 00:08:09,043 | we see a nation transformed | we see a nation transformed |
151 | 00:08:09,067 | 00:08:13,176 | by successive waves of people and ideas. | by successive waves of people and ideas. |
152 | 00:08:13,200 | 00:08:16,476 | And we neatly compartmentalize those cultures, | And we neatly compartmentalize those cultures, |
153 | 00:08:16,500 | 00:08:20,076 | but just how abrupt were the transitions? | but just how abrupt were the transitions? |
154 | 00:08:20,100 | 00:08:23,409 | Roman Britain didn't become Anglo-Saxon overnight. | Roman Britain didn't become Anglo-Saxon overnight. |
155 | 00:08:23,433 | 00:08:26,409 | It must've been more of a gradual process, | It must've been more of a gradual process, |
156 | 00:08:26,433 | 00:08:28,843 | a blending of two cultures. | a blending of two cultures. |
157 | 00:08:28,867 | 00:08:32,876 | And archaeology allows us to examine the lives of people | And archaeology allows us to examine the lives of people |
158 | 00:08:32,900 | 00:08:35,600 | living through that transition. | living through that transition. |
159 | 00:08:44,067 | 00:08:46,909 | You've probably heard of the Venerable Bede. | You've probably heard of the Venerable Bede. |
160 | 00:08:46,933 | 00:08:49,343 | He was an 8th-century Northumbrian monk | He was an 8th-century Northumbrian monk |
161 | 00:08:49,367 | 00:08:51,943 | and the most famous chronicler of his age. | and the most famous chronicler of his age. |
162 | 00:08:51,967 | 00:08:54,576 | His ecclesiastical history of the English people | His ecclesiastical history of the English people |
163 | 00:08:54,600 | 00:08:58,409 | is still our best source for the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, | is still our best source for the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, |
164 | 00:08:58,433 | 00:09:01,843 | but we do have to treat what he writes with a little caution. | but we do have to treat what he writes with a little caution. |
165 | 00:09:01,867 | 00:09:05,476 | He wasn't out to write an unbiased account, | He wasn't out to write an unbiased account, |
166 | 00:09:05,500 | 00:09:09,370 | and it's strongly motivated by his Christian faith. | and it's strongly motivated by his Christian faith. |
167 | 00:09:12,467 | 00:09:14,576 | Bede tells us that Northumbria | Bede tells us that Northumbria |
168 | 00:09:14,600 | 00:09:17,600 | was conquered and settled by the Angles. | was conquered and settled by the Angles. |
169 | 00:09:20,500 | 00:09:22,609 | The commanding site of Bamburgh | The commanding site of Bamburgh |
170 | 00:09:22,633 | 00:09:26,373 | became the power base of this emerging tribal kingdom. | became the power base of this emerging tribal kingdom. |
171 | 00:09:28,700 | 00:09:30,243 | The castle we see today | The castle we see today |
172 | 00:09:30,267 | 00:09:32,576 | was largely rebuilt in the 20th century, | was largely rebuilt in the 20th century, |
173 | 00:09:32,600 | 00:09:34,209 | but we know from archaeology | but we know from archaeology |
174 | 00:09:34,233 | 00:09:37,343 | that the site has been occupied for 5,000 years, | that the site has been occupied for 5,000 years, |
175 | 00:09:37,367 | 00:09:39,876 | going right back into the Neolithic. | going right back into the Neolithic. |
176 | 00:09:39,900 | 00:09:42,176 | The castle sits on this massive rock, | The castle sits on this massive rock, |
177 | 00:09:42,200 | 00:09:44,609 | which is the strongest natural fortress | which is the strongest natural fortress |
178 | 00:09:44,633 | 00:09:46,709 | on the coast of northeast England. | on the coast of northeast England. |
179 | 00:09:46,733 | 00:09:50,543 | And with commanding views over land and sea, | And with commanding views over land and sea, |
180 | 00:09:50,567 | 00:09:54,827 | Bamburgh would become the seat of the Northumbrian kings. | Bamburgh would become the seat of the Northumbrian kings. |
181 | 00:09:56,533 | 00:09:59,176 | But even at a royal site like Bamburgh, | But even at a royal site like Bamburgh, |
182 | 00:09:59,200 | 00:10:01,876 | we have to work hard to decipher the clues | we have to work hard to decipher the clues |
183 | 00:10:01,900 | 00:10:05,470 | left behind by the Anglo-Saxon people who lived here. | left behind by the Anglo-Saxon people who lived here. |
184 | 00:10:09,033 | 00:10:10,776 | So what have we got over here, then, Graeme? | So what have we got over here, then, Graeme? |
185 | 00:10:10,800 | 00:10:12,776 | Well, I mean, that's the one fortunate thing, | Well, I mean, that's the one fortunate thing, |
186 | 00:10:12,800 | 00:10:15,309 | that it's now exposed again so we can have a look at it. | that it's now exposed again so we can have a look at it. |
187 | 00:10:15,333 | 00:10:17,609 | Director of Archaeology Graeme Young | Director of Archaeology Graeme Young |
188 | 00:10:17,633 | 00:10:21,033 | outlined where a Saxon timber hall would once have stood. | outlined where a Saxon timber hall would once have stood. |
189 | 00:10:21,933 | 00:10:23,443 | The people who lived here | The people who lived here |
190 | 00:10:23,467 | 00:10:25,176 | constructed their buildings out of wood, | constructed their buildings out of wood, |
191 | 00:10:25,200 | 00:10:27,109 | which has long since disappeared, | which has long since disappeared, |
192 | 00:10:27,133 | 00:10:31,003 | leaving just an impression of the early fortress. | leaving just an impression of the early fortress. |
193 | 00:10:32,067 | 00:10:34,509 | So this really is negative archaeology, isn't it? | So this really is negative archaeology, isn't it? |
194 | 00:10:34,533 | 00:10:36,276 | You've just got the holes left | You've just got the holes left |
195 | 00:10:36,300 | 00:10:39,709 | where the timbers of this wooden building have just rotted. | where the timbers of this wooden building have just rotted. |
196 | 00:10:39,733 | 00:10:41,643 | Yes, we've got enough evidence | Yes, we've got enough evidence |
197 | 00:10:41,667 | 00:10:44,076 | that we can reconstruct broadly what's above ground. | that we can reconstruct broadly what's above ground. |
198 | 00:10:44,100 | 00:10:46,209 | And we're standing right inside it | And we're standing right inside it |
199 | 00:10:46,233 | 00:10:48,976 | and right on the edge of the rock here, | and right on the edge of the rock here, |
200 | 00:10:49,000 | 00:10:50,876 | so what would this building have been? | so what would this building have been? |
201 | 00:10:50,900 | 00:10:52,943 | Well, we think it's to do with the gate, | Well, we think it's to do with the gate, |
202 | 00:10:52,967 | 00:10:56,143 | because the Anglo-Saxon entrance to Bamburgh's just behind us. | because the Anglo-Saxon entrance to Bamburgh's just behind us. |
203 | 00:10:56,167 | 00:10:57,409 | It's this cleft here. | It's this cleft here. |
204 | 00:10:57,433 | 00:11:00,309 | There's a marvelous little text from AD 774, | There's a marvelous little text from AD 774, |
205 | 00:11:00,333 | 00:11:01,576 | and it describes this... | and it describes this... |
206 | 00:11:01,600 | 00:11:03,609 | these steps coming up through a cleft | these steps coming up through a cleft |
207 | 00:11:03,633 | 00:11:05,376 | in a marvelous fashion, as the author says. | in a marvelous fashion, as the author says. |
208 | 00:11:05,400 | 00:11:06,643 | And that must be it. | And that must be it. |
209 | 00:11:06,667 | 00:11:09,043 | There's nothing else at Bamburgh that fits the bill. | There's nothing else at Bamburgh that fits the bill. |
210 | 00:11:09,067 | 00:11:12,843 | So we're standing in the middle Anglo-Saxon gatehouse | So we're standing in the middle Anglo-Saxon gatehouse |
211 | 00:11:12,867 | 00:11:14,043 | to Bamburgh Castle? | to Bamburgh Castle? |
212 | 00:11:14,067 | 00:11:16,067 | Yeah, I think that's pretty much it. | Yeah, I think that's pretty much it. |
213 | 00:11:16,967 | 00:11:19,843 | We know that generations of Anglo-Saxons | We know that generations of Anglo-Saxons |
214 | 00:11:19,867 | 00:11:23,543 | lived and worked at Bamburgh over a prolonged period | lived and worked at Bamburgh over a prolonged period |
215 | 00:11:23,567 | 00:11:25,776 | stretching hundreds of years. | stretching hundreds of years. |
216 | 00:11:25,800 | 00:11:27,343 | And yet even here, | And yet even here, |
217 | 00:11:27,367 | 00:11:31,943 | the footprints of the people are faint and hard to trace. | the footprints of the people are faint and hard to trace. |
218 | 00:11:31,967 | 00:11:35,343 | Much of what we do know comes from sources like Bede. | Much of what we do know comes from sources like Bede. |
219 | 00:11:35,367 | 00:11:39,143 | But what they tend to focus on is the high-status individuals, | But what they tend to focus on is the high-status individuals, |
220 | 00:11:39,167 | 00:11:41,409 | the kings and queens. | the kings and queens. |
221 | 00:11:41,433 | 00:11:43,043 | But there are people who made | But there are people who made |
222 | 00:11:43,067 | 00:11:45,509 | much less of an impression on Bede, | much less of an impression on Bede, |
223 | 00:11:45,533 | 00:11:47,943 | people whose archaeological signature | people whose archaeological signature |
224 | 00:11:47,967 | 00:11:50,476 | is much more difficult to trace. | is much more difficult to trace. |
225 | 00:11:50,500 | 00:11:52,376 | There's not much evidence of their buildings | There's not much evidence of their buildings |
226 | 00:11:52,400 | 00:11:56,443 | and certainly no buried treasure or magnificent graves. | and certainly no buried treasure or magnificent graves. |
227 | 00:11:56,467 | 00:12:00,076 | These are the ordinary people, the farmers and workers | These are the ordinary people, the farmers and workers |
228 | 00:12:00,100 | 00:12:02,330 | who populated the rural landscape. | who populated the rural landscape. |
229 | 00:12:03,067 | 00:12:06,476 | And they are even harder to find. | And they are even harder to find. |
230 | 00:12:06,500 | 00:12:08,709 | This is rural Northumberland, | This is rural Northumberland, |
231 | 00:12:08,733 | 00:12:11,873 | and we're right in the heart of Bede's home territory. | and we're right in the heart of Bede's home territory. |
232 | 00:12:13,667 | 00:12:15,609 | Today, we exploit this landscape | Today, we exploit this landscape |
233 | 00:12:15,633 | 00:12:18,833 | for its natural resources of sand and gravel. | for its natural resources of sand and gravel. |
234 | 00:12:20,600 | 00:12:22,543 | But the same industrial machinery | But the same industrial machinery |
235 | 00:12:22,567 | 00:12:24,376 | used to remove this material | used to remove this material |
236 | 00:12:24,400 | 00:12:27,209 | has uncovered rare and vital evidence | has uncovered rare and vital evidence |
237 | 00:12:27,233 | 00:12:30,073 | of life in the so-called Dark Ages. | of life in the so-called Dark Ages. |
238 | 00:12:32,367 | 00:12:35,709 | Dr. Clive Waddington is leading the excavations | Dr. Clive Waddington is leading the excavations |
239 | 00:12:35,733 | 00:12:37,173 | at Lanton Quarry. | at Lanton Quarry. |
240 | 00:12:38,467 | 00:12:41,576 | Last year, his team unearthed rare traces | Last year, his team unearthed rare traces |
241 | 00:12:41,600 | 00:12:44,730 | of an ordinary early Anglo-Saxon village. | of an ordinary early Anglo-Saxon village. |
242 | 00:12:47,067 | 00:12:49,276 | In front of me here, we've got a range of the finds | In front of me here, we've got a range of the finds |
243 | 00:12:49,300 | 00:12:51,276 | that we got from the excavations at Lanton. | that we got from the excavations at Lanton. |
244 | 00:12:51,300 | 00:12:53,543 | So you can see, for example, this large stone here, | So you can see, for example, this large stone here, |
245 | 00:12:53,567 | 00:12:55,109 | which is a local sandstone. | which is a local sandstone. |
246 | 00:12:55,133 | 00:12:57,676 | To the untrained eye, it might not look like a lot, | To the untrained eye, it might not look like a lot, |
247 | 00:12:57,700 | 00:12:58,843 | but when you turn it over, | but when you turn it over, |
248 | 00:12:58,867 | 00:13:02,176 | you can see this lovely smooth, flat face, | you can see this lovely smooth, flat face, |
249 | 00:13:02,200 | 00:13:05,509 | and that's got this perforation here in the center. | and that's got this perforation here in the center. |
250 | 00:13:05,533 | 00:13:07,609 | And this is a base of what we call a quern stone, | And this is a base of what we call a quern stone, |
251 | 00:13:07,633 | 00:13:09,476 | which is a rubbing stone, | which is a rubbing stone, |
252 | 00:13:09,500 | 00:13:12,043 | which would've had a rotary quern on the top, | which would've had a rotary quern on the top, |
253 | 00:13:12,067 | 00:13:14,143 | another stone that would have been used | another stone that would have been used |
254 | 00:13:14,167 | 00:13:16,227 | for milling grain to create flour. | for milling grain to create flour. |
255 | 00:13:17,167 | 00:13:20,109 | Fragments of evidence reveal that the daily lives | Fragments of evidence reveal that the daily lives |
256 | 00:13:20,133 | 00:13:22,209 | of these long-forgotten villagers | of these long-forgotten villagers |
257 | 00:13:22,233 | 00:13:26,043 | would have involved milling, weaving, and metalworking. | would have involved milling, weaving, and metalworking. |
258 | 00:13:26,067 | 00:13:29,043 | But there are also more decorative items. | But there are also more decorative items. |
259 | 00:13:29,067 | 00:13:31,109 | We found some glass beads, | We found some glass beads, |
260 | 00:13:31,133 | 00:13:33,843 | and you can see that these are really beautifully decorated, | and you can see that these are really beautifully decorated, |
261 | 00:13:33,867 | 00:13:36,176 | and we call them polychrome beads. | and we call them polychrome beads. |
262 | 00:13:36,200 | 00:13:37,809 | They're multicolored. | They're multicolored. |
263 | 00:13:37,833 | 00:13:39,509 | These have been analyzed | These have been analyzed |
264 | 00:13:39,533 | 00:13:43,076 | and have been shown to contain traces of metal, as well, | and have been shown to contain traces of metal, as well, |
265 | 00:13:43,100 | 00:13:45,400 | which they'd use to color the glass. | which they'd use to color the glass. |
266 | 00:13:46,067 | 00:13:49,209 | It's not treasure, but these everyday objects | It's not treasure, but these everyday objects |
267 | 00:13:49,233 | 00:13:51,176 | are shedding light on the workers, | are shedding light on the workers, |
268 | 00:13:51,200 | 00:13:55,230 | farmers, and craftsmen who settled these rural plains. | farmers, and craftsmen who settled these rural plains. |
269 | 00:14:05,767 | 00:14:07,876 | 300 miles down the coast, | 300 miles down the coast, |
270 | 00:14:07,900 | 00:14:11,070 | I'm about to meet the founding fathers of the invasion. | I'm about to meet the founding fathers of the invasion. |
271 | 00:14:12,300 | 00:14:13,876 | According to Bede, | According to Bede, |
272 | 00:14:13,900 | 00:14:17,809 | the Anglo-Saxon takeover began here on the coast of Kent | the Anglo-Saxon takeover began here on the coast of Kent |
273 | 00:14:17,833 | 00:14:22,143 | with the arrival of two warrior brothers, Hengist and Horsa. | with the arrival of two warrior brothers, Hengist and Horsa. |
274 | 00:14:22,167 | 00:14:25,376 | They had been called in to help the British king, Vortigern, | They had been called in to help the British king, Vortigern, |
275 | 00:14:25,400 | 00:14:28,676 | fight against his enemies the Picts. | fight against his enemies the Picts. |
276 | 00:14:28,700 | 00:14:33,043 | And they were followed by wave upon wave of Germanic warriors | And they were followed by wave upon wave of Germanic warriors |
277 | 00:14:33,067 | 00:14:34,776 | who settled in Kent. | who settled in Kent. |
278 | 00:14:34,800 | 00:14:38,876 | But before long, those incomers would turn against their host | But before long, those incomers would turn against their host |
279 | 00:14:38,900 | 00:14:41,409 | and start to expand the boundaries | and start to expand the boundaries |
280 | 00:14:41,433 | 00:14:43,073 | of their new territory. | of their new territory. |
281 | 00:14:56,867 | 00:15:00,309 | We don't know whether these two men actually existed, | We don't know whether these two men actually existed, |
282 | 00:15:00,333 | 00:15:03,443 | but it is clear that Germanic tribes were settling in Kent | but it is clear that Germanic tribes were settling in Kent |
283 | 00:15:03,467 | 00:15:05,443 | by the 5th century. | by the 5th century. |
284 | 00:15:05,467 | 00:15:08,043 | We're in what may have been the territory | We're in what may have been the territory |
285 | 00:15:08,067 | 00:15:11,509 | of the first Anglo-Saxon warlords to settle here. | of the first Anglo-Saxon warlords to settle here. |
286 | 00:15:11,533 | 00:15:13,809 | Within a hundred years of their arrival, | Within a hundred years of their arrival, |
287 | 00:15:13,833 | 00:15:15,576 | their kingdom became the richest | their kingdom became the richest |
288 | 00:15:15,600 | 00:15:17,830 | and most powerful in Britain. | and most powerful in Britain. |
289 | 00:15:22,100 | 00:15:23,476 | And this year, the skeletons | And this year, the skeletons |
290 | 00:15:23,500 | 00:15:26,276 | of the people who lived here at this time | of the people who lived here at this time |
291 | 00:15:26,300 | 00:15:28,470 | have been emerging from the ground. | have been emerging from the ground. |
292 | 00:15:30,667 | 00:15:33,809 | A huge new highway is being built in Thanet, | A huge new highway is being built in Thanet, |
293 | 00:15:33,833 | 00:15:35,343 | cutting straight through an area | cutting straight through an area |
294 | 00:15:35,367 | 00:15:38,367 | that's particularly rich in archaeology. | that's particularly rich in archaeology. |
295 | 00:15:39,700 | 00:15:43,243 | A team from Oxford Wessex Archaeology has been called in | A team from Oxford Wessex Archaeology has been called in |
296 | 00:15:43,267 | 00:15:45,776 | to systematically excavate the area | to systematically excavate the area |
297 | 00:15:45,800 | 00:15:48,476 | before the road can be laid. | before the road can be laid. |
298 | 00:15:48,500 | 00:15:49,943 | There's a male individual. | There's a male individual. |
299 | 00:15:49,967 | 00:15:54,297 | You can see by the very prominent eyebrow ridges. | You can see by the very prominent eyebrow ridges. |
300 | 00:15:54,933 | 00:15:58,876 | The very, very robust clavicles, or collarbones. | The very, very robust clavicles, or collarbones. |
301 | 00:15:58,900 | 00:16:00,576 | As well as Saxon graves, | As well as Saxon graves, |
302 | 00:16:00,600 | 00:16:03,809 | archaeologists have found pits full of discarded shells, | archaeologists have found pits full of discarded shells, |
303 | 00:16:03,833 | 00:16:06,833 | evidence of the food eaten by local settlers. | evidence of the food eaten by local settlers. |
304 | 00:16:11,267 | 00:16:14,709 | They record their findings using satellite technology, | They record their findings using satellite technology, |
305 | 00:16:14,733 | 00:16:17,043 | eventually linking together all the graves | eventually linking together all the graves |
306 | 00:16:17,067 | 00:16:19,676 | and finds across the site. | and finds across the site. |
307 | 00:16:19,700 | 00:16:21,209 | When the work is finished, | When the work is finished, |
308 | 00:16:21,233 | 00:16:23,209 | all the information they've discovered here | all the information they've discovered here |
309 | 00:16:23,233 | 00:16:25,973 | will form a detailed computerized map. | will form a detailed computerized map. |
310 | 00:16:30,867 | 00:16:33,643 | This excavation is absolutely massive, | This excavation is absolutely massive, |
311 | 00:16:33,667 | 00:16:36,343 | but it's just one of over 20 similar sites | but it's just one of over 20 similar sites |
312 | 00:16:36,367 | 00:16:38,376 | up and down the road scheme. | up and down the road scheme. |
313 | 00:16:38,400 | 00:16:42,743 | Here we've got the two largest archaeological units in the U.K. | Here we've got the two largest archaeological units in the U.K. |
314 | 00:16:42,767 | 00:16:44,043 | coming together. | coming together. |
315 | 00:16:44,067 | 00:16:46,543 | There are over a hundred professional archaeologists | There are over a hundred professional archaeologists |
316 | 00:16:46,567 | 00:16:48,609 | on site at any one time, | on site at any one time, |
317 | 00:16:48,633 | 00:16:52,433 | making it the largest excavation in Britain this year. | making it the largest excavation in Britain this year. |
318 | 00:16:53,400 | 00:16:56,876 | And when they've finished, it will all disappear once more | And when they've finished, it will all disappear once more |
319 | 00:16:56,900 | 00:16:58,476 | beneath the tarmac and cars | beneath the tarmac and cars |
320 | 00:16:58,500 | 00:17:00,776 | that will eventually pass this way. | that will eventually pass this way. |
321 | 00:17:00,800 | 00:17:03,500 | But the archaeologists' work will continue. | But the archaeologists' work will continue. |
322 | 00:17:05,767 | 00:17:08,909 | Analysis will be carried out on the skeletons. | Analysis will be carried out on the skeletons. |
323 | 00:17:08,933 | 00:17:12,043 | Eventually, we should know their age, their sex, | Eventually, we should know their age, their sex, |
324 | 00:17:12,067 | 00:17:15,276 | and even the diseases they suffered from. | and even the diseases they suffered from. |
325 | 00:17:15,300 | 00:17:16,943 | It may take years. | It may take years. |
326 | 00:17:16,967 | 00:17:20,127 | But archaeology isn't just about the digging. | But archaeology isn't just about the digging. |
327 | 00:17:22,800 | 00:17:25,809 | In 2008, another Anglo-Saxon cemetery | In 2008, another Anglo-Saxon cemetery |
328 | 00:17:25,833 | 00:17:28,276 | was discovered 30 miles away. | was discovered 30 miles away. |
329 | 00:17:28,300 | 00:17:32,243 | And it's only now, after nearly two years of research, | And it's only now, after nearly two years of research, |
330 | 00:17:32,267 | 00:17:35,867 | that it's yielding remarkable insights into their world. | that it's yielding remarkable insights into their world. |
331 | 00:17:38,667 | 00:17:40,543 | You might wonder what I'm doing in a car park | You might wonder what I'm doing in a car park |
332 | 00:17:40,567 | 00:17:43,243 | outside a shopping center in Sittingbourne, | outside a shopping center in Sittingbourne, |
333 | 00:17:43,267 | 00:17:45,543 | but I promise you, if you come with me through these doors, | but I promise you, if you come with me through these doors, |
334 | 00:17:45,567 | 00:17:47,876 | there's evidence of Anglo-Saxon Kent | there's evidence of Anglo-Saxon Kent |
335 | 00:17:47,900 | 00:17:50,100 | at the height of its powers. | at the height of its powers. |
336 | 00:17:51,167 | 00:17:54,409 | Archaeologists have recovered 2,500 objects | Archaeologists have recovered 2,500 objects |
337 | 00:17:54,433 | 00:17:59,576 | from around 230 graves at a site called The Meads. | from around 230 graves at a site called The Meads. |
338 | 00:17:59,600 | 00:18:02,043 | It's an enormous collection of clues | It's an enormous collection of clues |
339 | 00:18:02,067 | 00:18:04,697 | dating back nearly 1,500 years. | dating back nearly 1,500 years. |
340 | 00:18:06,167 | 00:18:08,909 | And processing this volume of material | And processing this volume of material |
341 | 00:18:08,933 | 00:18:11,273 | demands a unique approach. | demands a unique approach. |
342 | 00:18:14,100 | 00:18:17,070 | Right, I think this must be it. | Right, I think this must be it. |
343 | 00:18:22,467 | 00:18:26,409 | Dana Goodburn-Brown is an archaeological conservator. | Dana Goodburn-Brown is an archaeological conservator. |
344 | 00:18:26,433 | 00:18:29,709 | A year ago, she pioneered a radical new scheme, | A year ago, she pioneered a radical new scheme, |
345 | 00:18:29,733 | 00:18:32,343 | encouraging local volunteers to get involved | encouraging local volunteers to get involved |
346 | 00:18:32,367 | 00:18:34,343 | with conserving the grave goods | with conserving the grave goods |
347 | 00:18:34,367 | 00:18:36,927 | of people who may have been their ancestors. | of people who may have been their ancestors. |
348 | 00:18:38,933 | 00:18:40,409 | So have you got people coming in | So have you got people coming in |
349 | 00:18:40,433 | 00:18:42,309 | who have never done anything like this before? | who have never done anything like this before? |
350 | 00:18:42,333 | 00:18:43,443 | Oh, yeah, no, | Oh, yeah, no, |
351 | 00:18:43,467 | 00:18:45,409 | no one's done anything exactly like this. | no one's done anything exactly like this. |
352 | 00:18:45,433 | 00:18:46,876 | No, they go through a training session, | No, they go through a training session, |
353 | 00:18:46,900 | 00:18:48,743 | and we have some practice pieces, | and we have some practice pieces, |
354 | 00:18:48,767 | 00:18:51,109 | and then they start working on the real thing. | and then they start working on the real thing. |
355 | 00:18:51,133 | 00:18:53,576 | So what are the artifacts that you're working on here, Dana? | So what are the artifacts that you're working on here, Dana? |
356 | 00:18:53,600 | 00:18:56,776 | Well, this is a side view of this block, | Well, this is a side view of this block, |
357 | 00:18:56,800 | 00:19:02,476 | which seems to have this enormous brooch that's gilded. | which seems to have this enormous brooch that's gilded. |
358 | 00:19:02,500 | 00:19:05,043 | You can just see a little bit of gild... gold coming out, | You can just see a little bit of gild... gold coming out, |
359 | 00:19:05,067 | 00:19:07,676 | so there's quite an intricate design going on there. | so there's quite an intricate design going on there. |
360 | 00:19:07,700 | 00:19:09,576 | But they could see that there was a series of rings. | But they could see that there was a series of rings. |
361 | 00:19:09,600 | 00:19:11,109 | Now, if they lifted them out individually, | Now, if they lifted them out individually, |
362 | 00:19:11,133 | 00:19:12,643 | you'd kind of just have a series of rings, | you'd kind of just have a series of rings, |
363 | 00:19:12,667 | 00:19:14,243 | and you wouldn't really know what it was. | and you wouldn't really know what it was. |
364 | 00:19:14,267 | 00:19:16,043 | But if you X-ray it as a block, | But if you X-ray it as a block, |
365 | 00:19:16,067 | 00:19:18,643 | you can see the relationship between one and the other, | you can see the relationship between one and the other, |
366 | 00:19:18,667 | 00:19:21,576 | so this was something that went around the waist, | so this was something that went around the waist, |
367 | 00:19:21,600 | 00:19:24,370 | and probably keys or things might've hung off of it. | and probably keys or things might've hung off of it. |
368 | 00:19:25,833 | 00:19:27,409 | Dana's innovative project | Dana's innovative project |
369 | 00:19:27,433 | 00:19:30,076 | is opening up archaeology to everyone | is opening up archaeology to everyone |
370 | 00:19:30,100 | 00:19:32,130 | and is already proving popular. | and is already proving popular. |
371 | 00:19:34,200 | 00:19:36,643 | We've had almost 10,000 people, | We've had almost 10,000 people, |
372 | 00:19:36,667 | 00:19:39,043 | and so you get people just dropping by. | and so you get people just dropping by. |
373 | 00:19:39,067 | 00:19:41,043 | Some people come back again and again, | Some people come back again and again, |
374 | 00:19:41,067 | 00:19:43,776 | and we've been open several months, | and we've been open several months, |
375 | 00:19:43,800 | 00:19:45,870 | and people are still just discovering us new. | and people are still just discovering us new. |
376 | 00:19:48,267 | 00:19:49,309 | Don't you think it's great? | Don't you think it's great? |
377 | 00:19:49,333 | 00:19:51,776 | Because loads of people can see it. | Because loads of people can see it. |
378 | 00:19:51,800 | 00:19:53,776 | Normally conservation work goes on | Normally conservation work goes on |
379 | 00:19:53,800 | 00:19:55,509 | behind closed doors in a museum. | behind closed doors in a museum. |
380 | 00:19:55,533 | 00:19:57,809 | And I love what I do, | And I love what I do, |
381 | 00:19:57,833 | 00:19:59,776 | and it's really nice to share it with other people. | and it's really nice to share it with other people. |
382 | 00:19:59,800 | 00:20:01,576 | I do have stop myself sometimes and think, | I do have stop myself sometimes and think, |
383 | 00:20:01,600 | 00:20:06,709 | "Ah, this is 1,400 years old, and some craftsman made this, | "Ah, this is 1,400 years old, and some craftsman made this, |
384 | 00:20:06,733 | 00:20:07,943 | and then someone wore it." | and then someone wore it." |
385 | 00:20:07,967 | 00:20:09,767 | It's quite special, yeah. | It's quite special, yeah. |
386 | 00:20:11,667 | 00:20:14,609 | This is such a great example of community engagement. | This is such a great example of community engagement. |
387 | 00:20:14,633 | 00:20:17,109 | Anybody in this shopping mall... they might be coming here | Anybody in this shopping mall... they might be coming here |
388 | 00:20:17,133 | 00:20:19,109 | to get their weekly shop or for a cup of tea... | to get their weekly shop or for a cup of tea... |
389 | 00:20:19,133 | 00:20:23,176 | can pop in here and find out more about conservation, | can pop in here and find out more about conservation, |
390 | 00:20:23,200 | 00:20:24,809 | archaeology, and local history. | archaeology, and local history. |
391 | 00:20:24,833 | 00:20:26,143 | And if they're really interested, | And if they're really interested, |
392 | 00:20:26,167 | 00:20:27,876 | they can also volunteer, | they can also volunteer, |
393 | 00:20:27,900 | 00:20:30,676 | but right now, I want to find out more | but right now, I want to find out more |
394 | 00:20:30,700 | 00:20:33,470 | about the artifacts from those graves. | about the artifacts from those graves. |
395 | 00:20:35,333 | 00:20:37,209 | Once they've been cleaned, | Once they've been cleaned, |
396 | 00:20:37,233 | 00:20:40,276 | you get a sense of the incredible craftsmanship | you get a sense of the incredible craftsmanship |
397 | 00:20:40,300 | 00:20:43,470 | that's gone into making these stunning objects. | that's gone into making these stunning objects. |
398 | 00:20:44,067 | 00:20:47,827 | But what can they tell us about Anglo-Saxon life? | But what can they tell us about Anglo-Saxon life? |
399 | 00:20:49,367 | 00:20:53,009 | Dr. Andrew Richardson of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust | Dr. Andrew Richardson of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust |
400 | 00:20:53,033 | 00:20:57,143 | has been interpreting these finds for over two years. | has been interpreting these finds for over two years. |
401 | 00:20:57,167 | 00:20:59,276 | Andrew, these are wonderful objects just here. | Andrew, these are wonderful objects just here. |
402 | 00:20:59,300 | 00:21:01,343 | - Are they brooches? - Yes. | - Are they brooches? - Yes. |
403 | 00:21:01,367 | 00:21:03,576 | I mean, if you look at this one, | I mean, if you look at this one, |
404 | 00:21:03,600 | 00:21:05,843 | this is what we call a plated disc brooch. | this is what we call a plated disc brooch. |
405 | 00:21:05,867 | 00:21:08,176 | It's basically a silver back plate | It's basically a silver back plate |
406 | 00:21:08,200 | 00:21:11,576 | with a gold front plate, then gold cell work | with a gold front plate, then gold cell work |
407 | 00:21:11,600 | 00:21:13,376 | and then inlaid with garnets | and then inlaid with garnets |
408 | 00:21:13,400 | 00:21:16,309 | and very, very fine gold filigree wire. | and very, very fine gold filigree wire. |
409 | 00:21:16,333 | 00:21:18,376 | It's also very delicately made. | It's also very delicately made. |
410 | 00:21:18,400 | 00:21:23,176 | It is. It's very highly skilled craftworking. | It is. It's very highly skilled craftworking. |
411 | 00:21:23,200 | 00:21:27,543 | And when you show this sort of thing to modern jewelers, | And when you show this sort of thing to modern jewelers, |
412 | 00:21:27,567 | 00:21:29,843 | they say that they would have to charge you | they say that they would have to charge you |
413 | 00:21:29,867 | 00:21:33,767 | an enormous amount of money to make a copy of this. | an enormous amount of money to make a copy of this. |
414 | 00:21:35,433 | 00:21:38,209 | The woman who owned this, who wore this, | The woman who owned this, who wore this, |
415 | 00:21:38,233 | 00:21:41,509 | would probably have been at the top of the social scale | would probably have been at the top of the social scale |
416 | 00:21:41,533 | 00:21:43,509 | in this community. | in this community. |
417 | 00:21:43,533 | 00:21:46,209 | Incredibly high status, possibly even royal connections. | Incredibly high status, possibly even royal connections. |
418 | 00:21:46,233 | 00:21:47,776 | Definitely, I think, yeah. | Definitely, I think, yeah. |
419 | 00:21:47,800 | 00:21:51,409 | Many of the people buried here by their grieving loved ones | Many of the people buried here by their grieving loved ones |
420 | 00:21:51,433 | 00:21:54,443 | were adorned with magnificent pieces of jewelry. | were adorned with magnificent pieces of jewelry. |
421 | 00:21:54,467 | 00:21:56,843 | But the whole community is here, | But the whole community is here, |
422 | 00:21:56,867 | 00:21:59,509 | some buried with ordinary, everyday items | some buried with ordinary, everyday items |
423 | 00:21:59,533 | 00:22:01,609 | like this iron knife. | like this iron knife. |
424 | 00:22:01,633 | 00:22:03,309 | If you think about, you know, | If you think about, you know, |
425 | 00:22:03,333 | 00:22:05,443 | the full range of objects we've got from this site, | the full range of objects we've got from this site, |
426 | 00:22:05,467 | 00:22:08,876 | it's a huge investment in wealth in the ground | it's a huge investment in wealth in the ground |
427 | 00:22:08,900 | 00:22:10,509 | that isn't recovered by them. | that isn't recovered by them. |
428 | 00:22:10,533 | 00:22:12,209 | It's only when we excavate it | It's only when we excavate it |
429 | 00:22:12,233 | 00:22:15,776 | that it emerges into the light again. | that it emerges into the light again. |
430 | 00:22:15,800 | 00:22:19,109 | The people interred here were part of a wave of settlers | The people interred here were part of a wave of settlers |
431 | 00:22:19,133 | 00:22:21,043 | who'd come to make their mark, | who'd come to make their mark, |
432 | 00:22:21,067 | 00:22:24,743 | and nearly 1,500 years on, this cemetery is allowing us | and nearly 1,500 years on, this cemetery is allowing us |
433 | 00:22:24,767 | 00:22:28,176 | to glimpse how their society functioned. | to glimpse how their society functioned. |
434 | 00:22:28,200 | 00:22:30,209 | A member of a powerful family dies, | A member of a powerful family dies, |
435 | 00:22:30,233 | 00:22:33,709 | the family have to sort of reaffirm | the family have to sort of reaffirm |
436 | 00:22:33,733 | 00:22:37,376 | that that family still has power and status. | that that family still has power and status. |
437 | 00:22:37,400 | 00:22:40,043 | Because this certainly isn't costume jewelry, is it? | Because this certainly isn't costume jewelry, is it? |
438 | 00:22:40,067 | 00:22:41,343 | I mean, this is the real thing. | I mean, this is the real thing. |
439 | 00:22:41,367 | 00:22:44,143 | These are incredibly prized items. | These are incredibly prized items. |
440 | 00:22:44,167 | 00:22:45,576 | This is the real thing. | This is the real thing. |
441 | 00:22:45,600 | 00:22:50,443 | I mean, for their time, these are the top-of-the-range jewelry | I mean, for their time, these are the top-of-the-range jewelry |
442 | 00:22:50,467 | 00:22:52,443 | that Anglo-Saxon England can produce. | that Anglo-Saxon England can produce. |
443 | 00:22:52,467 | 00:22:54,676 | We can suppose that these settlers | We can suppose that these settlers |
444 | 00:22:54,700 | 00:22:58,376 | were seen by the people already living here as invaders. | were seen by the people already living here as invaders. |
445 | 00:22:58,400 | 00:23:02,043 | And power in these times was wielded at the end of a sword. | And power in these times was wielded at the end of a sword. |
446 | 00:23:02,067 | 00:23:03,376 | The cemetery bears witness | The cemetery bears witness |
447 | 00:23:03,400 | 00:23:05,376 | to the importance of these weapons. | to the importance of these weapons. |
448 | 00:23:05,400 | 00:23:07,043 | These are iron weapons. | These are iron weapons. |
449 | 00:23:07,067 | 00:23:09,643 | You've got spearheads. | You've got spearheads. |
450 | 00:23:09,667 | 00:23:12,943 | Some of these spearheads inlaid with gold. | Some of these spearheads inlaid with gold. |
451 | 00:23:12,967 | 00:23:17,043 | You've got some decorated pyramid mounts | You've got some decorated pyramid mounts |
452 | 00:23:17,067 | 00:23:18,609 | from a sword belt. | from a sword belt. |
453 | 00:23:18,633 | 00:23:19,876 | They are amazing. | They are amazing. |
454 | 00:23:19,900 | 00:23:21,809 | - Can I pick that up on its base? - Yes. | - Can I pick that up on its base? - Yes. |
455 | 00:23:21,833 | 00:23:26,209 | These exquisite items are over 1,000 old. | These exquisite items are over 1,000 old. |
456 | 00:23:26,233 | 00:23:30,809 | Shaped in silver, inlaid with gold, and topped with garnet, | Shaped in silver, inlaid with gold, and topped with garnet, |
457 | 00:23:30,833 | 00:23:32,576 | an extraordinary amount of effort | an extraordinary amount of effort |
458 | 00:23:32,600 | 00:23:35,143 | has gone into crafting them. | has gone into crafting them. |
459 | 00:23:35,167 | 00:23:39,276 | I think they're real, functional weapons, | I think they're real, functional weapons, |
460 | 00:23:39,300 | 00:23:41,070 | but they have a symbolic role. | but they have a symbolic role. |
461 | 00:23:42,367 | 00:23:46,509 | Young children, people who are severely disabled | Young children, people who are severely disabled |
462 | 00:23:46,533 | 00:23:48,409 | have been found buried with weapons, | have been found buried with weapons, |
463 | 00:23:48,433 | 00:23:50,376 | people who could never have used them in battle. | people who could never have used them in battle. |
464 | 00:23:50,400 | 00:23:53,043 | But still see themselves somehow as warriors. | But still see themselves somehow as warriors. |
465 | 00:23:53,067 | 00:23:56,909 | They do, they do, and I think Anglo-Saxon culture, | They do, they do, and I think Anglo-Saxon culture, |
466 | 00:23:56,933 | 00:24:00,143 | if you look at their poetry, their artwork, | if you look at their poetry, their artwork, |
467 | 00:24:00,167 | 00:24:04,309 | is very, very centered on warfare. | is very, very centered on warfare. |
468 | 00:24:04,333 | 00:24:06,143 | It's about communicating a message | It's about communicating a message |
469 | 00:24:06,167 | 00:24:07,809 | about how they see themselves, | about how they see themselves, |
470 | 00:24:07,833 | 00:24:12,043 | how the family see the deceased in the funeral rite. | how the family see the deceased in the funeral rite. |
471 | 00:24:12,067 | 00:24:15,076 | This amazing cemetery has let me back | This amazing cemetery has let me back |
472 | 00:24:15,100 | 00:24:18,843 | into a long-vanished world of Anglo-Saxon warlords | into a long-vanished world of Anglo-Saxon warlords |
473 | 00:24:18,867 | 00:24:21,609 | and their much-loved wives and daughters. | and their much-loved wives and daughters. |
474 | 00:24:21,633 | 00:24:24,309 | But the finds reveal that this was a world | But the finds reveal that this was a world |
475 | 00:24:24,333 | 00:24:27,809 | not just of warfare, but of feasting, too. | not just of warfare, but of feasting, too. |
476 | 00:24:27,833 | 00:24:29,943 | What about these vessels here in the center? | What about these vessels here in the center? |
477 | 00:24:29,967 | 00:24:31,043 | They're rather intriguing. | They're rather intriguing. |
478 | 00:24:31,067 | 00:24:34,943 | Well, these are replicas | Well, these are replicas |
479 | 00:24:34,967 | 00:24:38,309 | of two cut-glass cone beakers | of two cut-glass cone beakers |
480 | 00:24:38,333 | 00:24:41,676 | that were excavated in one of the graves at this site. | that were excavated in one of the graves at this site. |
481 | 00:24:41,700 | 00:24:44,070 | They actually were found intact. | They actually were found intact. |
482 | 00:24:45,067 | 00:24:46,476 | They're quite curious. | They're quite curious. |
483 | 00:24:46,500 | 00:24:48,409 | You obviously couldn't stand that up on a table. | You obviously couldn't stand that up on a table. |
484 | 00:24:48,433 | 00:24:51,909 | And I think these are, again, about communal feasting. | And I think these are, again, about communal feasting. |
485 | 00:24:51,933 | 00:24:55,273 | I think they used to be passed around the mead table. | I think they used to be passed around the mead table. |
486 | 00:24:56,433 | 00:24:58,509 | And these were found together | And these were found together |
487 | 00:24:58,533 | 00:25:01,609 | in the grave of somebody with a sword, | in the grave of somebody with a sword, |
488 | 00:25:01,633 | 00:25:04,576 | so perhaps a warrior but certainly a man, | so perhaps a warrior but certainly a man, |
489 | 00:25:04,600 | 00:25:08,243 | and making a statement about perhaps his love of feasting, | and making a statement about perhaps his love of feasting, |
490 | 00:25:08,267 | 00:25:10,276 | his love of mead. | his love of mead. |
491 | 00:25:10,300 | 00:25:14,043 | And it's ironic that the site is called The Meads | And it's ironic that the site is called The Meads |
492 | 00:25:14,067 | 00:25:17,397 | and they've built a pub on it. | and they've built a pub on it. |
493 | 00:25:20,400 | 00:25:23,109 | There is so little documentary evidence | There is so little documentary evidence |
494 | 00:25:23,133 | 00:25:25,443 | of early Anglo-Saxon society, | of early Anglo-Saxon society, |
495 | 00:25:25,467 | 00:25:29,243 | so cemeteries like this and those amazing grave goods | so cemeteries like this and those amazing grave goods |
496 | 00:25:29,267 | 00:25:33,476 | offer us a really precious insight into that culture. | offer us a really precious insight into that culture. |
497 | 00:25:33,500 | 00:25:36,709 | And we start to be able to really focus on those people | And we start to be able to really focus on those people |
498 | 00:25:36,733 | 00:25:38,543 | in the forgotten cemetery, | in the forgotten cemetery, |
499 | 00:25:38,567 | 00:25:42,943 | who themselves have long since faded from memory. | who themselves have long since faded from memory. |
500 | 00:25:42,967 | 00:25:47,776 | The idea of a Christian God was slowly gaining ground, | The idea of a Christian God was slowly gaining ground, |
501 | 00:25:47,800 | 00:25:49,476 | but the pagan gods and goddesses | but the pagan gods and goddesses |
502 | 00:25:49,500 | 00:25:52,676 | were so deeply rooted in Anglo-Saxon culture | were so deeply rooted in Anglo-Saxon culture |
503 | 00:25:52,700 | 00:25:55,130 | that they wouldn't disappear overnight. | that they wouldn't disappear overnight. |
504 | 00:25:57,267 | 00:26:01,809 | Christianity had returned, and, like the invaders' own arrival, | Christianity had returned, and, like the invaders' own arrival, |
505 | 00:26:01,833 | 00:26:05,773 | it would wash through the land, slowly but surely. | it would wash through the land, slowly but surely. |
506 | 00:26:08,433 | 00:26:11,043 | One important aspect of this change | One important aspect of this change |
507 | 00:26:11,067 | 00:26:12,943 | is that by the 8th century, | is that by the 8th century, |
508 | 00:26:12,967 | 00:26:16,243 | hundreds of minsters and nunneries had taken root | hundreds of minsters and nunneries had taken root |
509 | 00:26:16,267 | 00:26:18,809 | all over Anglo-Saxon Britain. | all over Anglo-Saxon Britain. |
510 | 00:26:18,833 | 00:26:21,676 | The presence of these monastic communities | The presence of these monastic communities |
511 | 00:26:21,700 | 00:26:24,409 | molded the entire future of the country, | molded the entire future of the country, |
512 | 00:26:24,433 | 00:26:26,576 | not least because they reintroduced | not least because they reintroduced |
513 | 00:26:26,600 | 00:26:28,543 | widespread literacy. | widespread literacy. |
514 | 00:26:28,567 | 00:26:30,943 | But apart from inside the very greatest | But apart from inside the very greatest |
515 | 00:26:30,967 | 00:26:32,609 | of these religious houses, | of these religious houses, |
516 | 00:26:32,633 | 00:26:36,609 | we have very little idea of what life was like in them. | we have very little idea of what life was like in them. |
517 | 00:26:36,633 | 00:26:40,043 | And that's what makes our next story so exciting. | And that's what makes our next story so exciting. |
518 | 00:26:40,067 | 00:26:42,109 | It's a rare opportunity | It's a rare opportunity |
519 | 00:26:42,133 | 00:26:45,973 | to excavate and understand an Anglo-Saxon nunnery. | to excavate and understand an Anglo-Saxon nunnery. |
520 | 00:26:57,400 | 00:27:01,043 | This is Berkeley Castle in modern-day Gloucestershire. | This is Berkeley Castle in modern-day Gloucestershire. |
521 | 00:27:01,067 | 00:27:03,909 | Some of the castle dates to the 12th century, | Some of the castle dates to the 12th century, |
522 | 00:27:03,933 | 00:27:06,676 | but its roots go back to the Christian conversion | but its roots go back to the Christian conversion |
523 | 00:27:06,700 | 00:27:09,043 | of the Anglo-Saxons. | of the Anglo-Saxons. |
524 | 00:27:09,067 | 00:27:13,109 | 17th-century manuscripts speak of an Anglo-Saxon nunnery | 17th-century manuscripts speak of an Anglo-Saxon nunnery |
525 | 00:27:13,133 | 00:27:15,443 | based within these grounds. | based within these grounds. |
526 | 00:27:15,467 | 00:27:17,476 | And my friends from Bristol University | And my friends from Bristol University |
527 | 00:27:17,500 | 00:27:19,876 | are hoping to find its walls. | are hoping to find its walls. |
528 | 00:27:19,900 | 00:27:21,530 | Looking good, guys, looking good. | Looking good, guys, looking good. |
529 | 00:27:22,767 | 00:27:25,927 | Dr. Stuart Prior is co-directing the excavations. | Dr. Stuart Prior is co-directing the excavations. |
530 | 00:27:26,833 | 00:27:28,209 | He's been able to put a date | He's been able to put a date |
531 | 00:27:28,233 | 00:27:31,103 | on some of the early structures that are emerging. | on some of the early structures that are emerging. |
532 | 00:27:33,867 | 00:27:36,443 | Just from this area here, | Just from this area here, |
533 | 00:27:36,467 | 00:27:41,476 | we got this absolutely fantastic Anglo-Saxon strap end. | we got this absolutely fantastic Anglo-Saxon strap end. |
534 | 00:27:41,500 | 00:27:42,943 | Would have been on the end of a belt, | Would have been on the end of a belt, |
535 | 00:27:42,967 | 00:27:46,109 | and essentially, it's in the shape of a little beast's head, | and essentially, it's in the shape of a little beast's head, |
536 | 00:27:46,133 | 00:27:48,576 | a little dragon's head, and it's 9th century. | a little dragon's head, and it's 9th century. |
537 | 00:27:48,600 | 00:27:52,343 | And this was buried underneath a section of collapsed wall. | And this was buried underneath a section of collapsed wall. |
538 | 00:27:52,367 | 00:27:55,309 | So what that shows is that this building just here behind me | So what that shows is that this building just here behind me |
539 | 00:27:55,333 | 00:27:58,209 | has to be 8th or early 9th century. | has to be 8th or early 9th century. |
540 | 00:27:58,233 | 00:27:59,676 | Goes out of use. | Goes out of use. |
541 | 00:27:59,700 | 00:28:03,309 | Part of the wall collapses and seals this particular object, | Part of the wall collapses and seals this particular object, |
542 | 00:28:03,333 | 00:28:04,543 | and essentially, what this does | and essentially, what this does |
543 | 00:28:04,567 | 00:28:06,209 | is it gives us really good dating evidence | is it gives us really good dating evidence |
544 | 00:28:06,233 | 00:28:10,073 | to say this is Saxon and it's probably the nunnery. | to say this is Saxon and it's probably the nunnery. |
545 | 00:28:13,833 | 00:28:15,909 | Go off to there 20 meters long. There. | Go off to there 20 meters long. There. |
546 | 00:28:15,933 | 00:28:19,043 | Also directing the dig is Professor Mark Horton. | Also directing the dig is Professor Mark Horton. |
547 | 00:28:19,067 | 00:28:21,376 | He's finding some intriguing evidence | He's finding some intriguing evidence |
548 | 00:28:21,400 | 00:28:24,676 | of life inside the Anglo-Saxon nunnery. | of life inside the Anglo-Saxon nunnery. |
549 | 00:28:24,700 | 00:28:26,343 | The thing about Anglo-Saxon archaeology | The thing about Anglo-Saxon archaeology |
550 | 00:28:26,367 | 00:28:28,476 | is that finds are incredibly rare. | is that finds are incredibly rare. |
551 | 00:28:28,500 | 00:28:30,209 | But we've been really lucky | But we've been really lucky |
552 | 00:28:30,233 | 00:28:33,843 | in finding an extraordinary quantity of material | in finding an extraordinary quantity of material |
553 | 00:28:33,867 | 00:28:37,243 | from this excavation, metalwork like buckles and so forth. | from this excavation, metalwork like buckles and so forth. |
554 | 00:28:37,267 | 00:28:41,067 | But maybe the most interesting are these three. | But maybe the most interesting are these three. |
555 | 00:28:41,900 | 00:28:45,143 | This is a whetstone, or hone stone. | This is a whetstone, or hone stone. |
556 | 00:28:45,167 | 00:28:47,776 | It probably would have hung around somebody's neck. | It probably would have hung around somebody's neck. |
557 | 00:28:47,800 | 00:28:51,276 | What it was used for was sharpening the knife | What it was used for was sharpening the knife |
558 | 00:28:51,300 | 00:28:54,043 | that you would then sharpen the quill, | that you would then sharpen the quill, |
559 | 00:28:54,067 | 00:28:57,276 | which you would use for illuminating manuscripts, | which you would use for illuminating manuscripts, |
560 | 00:28:57,300 | 00:28:58,876 | parchment manuscripts. | parchment manuscripts. |
561 | 00:28:58,900 | 00:29:02,943 | So it's evidence of learning, of scholarship, | So it's evidence of learning, of scholarship, |
562 | 00:29:02,967 | 00:29:05,709 | literacy in the middle Saxon period. | literacy in the middle Saxon period. |
563 | 00:29:05,733 | 00:29:09,376 | This find might be tiny, but it's a rare piece | This find might be tiny, but it's a rare piece |
564 | 00:29:09,400 | 00:29:12,843 | of physical evidence from a world in flux, | of physical evidence from a world in flux, |
565 | 00:29:12,867 | 00:29:16,743 | a direct link to the revival of the written word | a direct link to the revival of the written word |
566 | 00:29:16,767 | 00:29:18,727 | throughout Anglo-Saxon Britain. | throughout Anglo-Saxon Britain. |
567 | 00:29:24,633 | 00:29:27,543 | And this is an extraordinary piece. | And this is an extraordinary piece. |
568 | 00:29:27,567 | 00:29:29,709 | It's 8th century. | It's 8th century. |
569 | 00:29:29,733 | 00:29:32,643 | Experts are really divided on what it really is, | Experts are really divided on what it really is, |
570 | 00:29:32,667 | 00:29:35,043 | but I think it's what's called an aestel. | but I think it's what's called an aestel. |
571 | 00:29:35,067 | 00:29:38,376 | It would've had a bone pointer attached to one end. | It would've had a bone pointer attached to one end. |
572 | 00:29:38,400 | 00:29:42,409 | It would have been used to help reading manuscripts. | It would have been used to help reading manuscripts. |
573 | 00:29:42,433 | 00:29:44,776 | We know that these religious houses | We know that these religious houses |
574 | 00:29:44,800 | 00:29:47,209 | were not just places of worship. | were not just places of worship. |
575 | 00:29:47,233 | 00:29:48,743 | And as the digging continues, | And as the digging continues, |
576 | 00:29:48,767 | 00:29:51,576 | artifacts are gradually emerging from the ground | artifacts are gradually emerging from the ground |
577 | 00:29:51,600 | 00:29:54,409 | that reveal that they were also focal points | that reveal that they were also focal points |
578 | 00:29:54,433 | 00:29:56,133 | for commercial activity. | for commercial activity. |
579 | 00:29:57,333 | 00:29:59,176 | This was only found yesterday, | This was only found yesterday, |
580 | 00:29:59,200 | 00:30:01,443 | just up there on that surface up there. | just up there on that surface up there. |
581 | 00:30:01,467 | 00:30:04,509 | And it is the earliest type of coinage | And it is the earliest type of coinage |
582 | 00:30:04,533 | 00:30:07,009 | used in Anglo-Saxon England. | used in Anglo-Saxon England. |
583 | 00:30:07,033 | 00:30:09,876 | Dates from around 690 to around 740. | Dates from around 690 to around 740. |
584 | 00:30:09,900 | 00:30:11,309 | It's known as a sceat. | It's known as a sceat. |
585 | 00:30:11,333 | 00:30:15,676 | Now, these things are very, very rare in western Britain. | Now, these things are very, very rare in western Britain. |
586 | 00:30:15,700 | 00:30:18,309 | They're found in some quantity in places like London | They're found in some quantity in places like London |
587 | 00:30:18,333 | 00:30:20,209 | and Ipswich and Southampton. | and Ipswich and Southampton. |
588 | 00:30:20,233 | 00:30:23,409 | But here in the west, they're virtually unheard of. | But here in the west, they're virtually unheard of. |
589 | 00:30:23,433 | 00:30:26,476 | Why it's so exciting, it tells us two things. | Why it's so exciting, it tells us two things. |
590 | 00:30:26,500 | 00:30:28,543 | One is that this place | One is that this place |
591 | 00:30:28,567 | 00:30:31,743 | was really important for trade and commerce. | was really important for trade and commerce. |
592 | 00:30:31,767 | 00:30:33,943 | And the second reason is that this find | And the second reason is that this find |
593 | 00:30:33,967 | 00:30:36,243 | puts the site back much earlier. | puts the site back much earlier. |
594 | 00:30:36,267 | 00:30:38,509 | The first documentary evidence we've got | The first documentary evidence we've got |
595 | 00:30:38,533 | 00:30:41,143 | is in the middle part of the 8th century. | is in the middle part of the 8th century. |
596 | 00:30:41,167 | 00:30:43,909 | This coin suggests there were people here | This coin suggests there were people here |
597 | 00:30:43,933 | 00:30:46,676 | in the late 7th or early 8th century, | in the late 7th or early 8th century, |
598 | 00:30:46,700 | 00:30:49,843 | right at the beginning of the conversion | right at the beginning of the conversion |
599 | 00:30:49,867 | 00:30:52,127 | of this part of the world to Christianity. | of this part of the world to Christianity. |
600 | 00:30:56,567 | 00:30:59,176 | The jewel in the crown of this Anglo-Saxon nunnery | The jewel in the crown of this Anglo-Saxon nunnery |
601 | 00:30:59,200 | 00:31:01,543 | is a quite incredible object. | is a quite incredible object. |
602 | 00:31:01,567 | 00:31:06,043 | No one seems to know exactly where it was found or how, | No one seems to know exactly where it was found or how, |
603 | 00:31:06,067 | 00:31:09,776 | and as far as I know, it's never been seen by the public before. | and as far as I know, it's never been seen by the public before. |
604 | 00:31:09,800 | 00:31:11,876 | So it's incredibly exciting | So it's incredibly exciting |
605 | 00:31:11,900 | 00:31:14,170 | that we're getting a chance to examine it. | that we're getting a chance to examine it. |
606 | 00:31:15,267 | 00:31:17,776 | That is fantastic, isn't it? | That is fantastic, isn't it? |
607 | 00:31:17,800 | 00:31:19,643 | Absolutely fantastic. | Absolutely fantastic. |
608 | 00:31:19,667 | 00:31:21,643 | It's actually bigger than I imagined. | It's actually bigger than I imagined. |
609 | 00:31:21,667 | 00:31:23,443 | Yeah, it's an extraordinary thing. | Yeah, it's an extraordinary thing. |
610 | 00:31:23,467 | 00:31:25,509 | You know, you've seen photographs or drawings, | You know, you've seen photographs or drawings, |
611 | 00:31:25,533 | 00:31:27,943 | but when you see the thing itself, | but when you see the thing itself, |
612 | 00:31:27,967 | 00:31:29,909 | it is a wonderful, wonderful piece. | it is a wonderful, wonderful piece. |
613 | 00:31:29,933 | 00:31:33,209 | Leslie Webster, former curator of Anglo-Saxon archaeology | Leslie Webster, former curator of Anglo-Saxon archaeology |
614 | 00:31:33,233 | 00:31:34,643 | at the British Museum, | at the British Museum, |
615 | 00:31:34,667 | 00:31:37,676 | is astonished by the level of its artistry. | is astonished by the level of its artistry. |
616 | 00:31:37,700 | 00:31:40,676 | The craftsmanship, which is magnificent, | The craftsmanship, which is magnificent, |
617 | 00:31:40,700 | 00:31:44,909 | and the sort of sheer quantity of gold that's gone into that. | and the sort of sheer quantity of gold that's gone into that. |
618 | 00:31:44,933 | 00:31:48,076 | So the question I've got to ask you, Leslie, how old is it? | So the question I've got to ask you, Leslie, how old is it? |
619 | 00:31:48,100 | 00:31:50,509 | Well, looking at the style of the piece, | Well, looking at the style of the piece, |
620 | 00:31:50,533 | 00:31:51,876 | my feeling is that it belongs | my feeling is that it belongs |
621 | 00:31:51,900 | 00:31:53,576 | to the first third of the 9th century. | to the first third of the 9th century. |
622 | 00:31:53,600 | 00:31:55,070 | That's amazing. | That's amazing. |
623 | 00:31:55,733 | 00:31:59,176 | Although we can't say for sure that the ring is Christian, | Although we can't say for sure that the ring is Christian, |
624 | 00:31:59,200 | 00:32:02,243 | it seems to be in the shape of a cross. | it seems to be in the shape of a cross. |
625 | 00:32:02,267 | 00:32:03,809 | Leslie suspects that it was worn | Leslie suspects that it was worn |
626 | 00:32:03,833 | 00:32:06,276 | by someone of very high status, | by someone of very high status, |
627 | 00:32:06,300 | 00:32:09,943 | but whether a bishop or a king, we just don't know. | but whether a bishop or a king, we just don't know. |
628 | 00:32:09,967 | 00:32:11,476 | The other question I really need to ask, obviously, | The other question I really need to ask, obviously, |
629 | 00:32:11,500 | 00:32:13,376 | is how do you think it was made? | is how do you think it was made? |
630 | 00:32:13,400 | 00:32:16,609 | Well, if I can seize it from you and get a closer look. | Well, if I can seize it from you and get a closer look. |
631 | 00:32:16,633 | 00:32:18,576 | It is absolutely superb. | It is absolutely superb. |
632 | 00:32:18,600 | 00:32:20,043 | I mean, what we've got | I mean, what we've got |
633 | 00:32:20,067 | 00:32:25,743 | are four little animal creatures with pointy ears, long snouts. | are four little animal creatures with pointy ears, long snouts. |
634 | 00:32:25,767 | 00:32:27,743 | We've got little staring eyes, | We've got little staring eyes, |
635 | 00:32:27,767 | 00:32:30,809 | so it does look quite wolflike, I think, or houndlike. | so it does look quite wolflike, I think, or houndlike. |
636 | 00:32:30,833 | 00:32:32,676 | Now, the filigree's also wonderful. | Now, the filigree's also wonderful. |
637 | 00:32:32,700 | 00:32:35,909 | It's so fine, and this lovely plaited work | It's so fine, and this lovely plaited work |
638 | 00:32:35,933 | 00:32:38,809 | 'round the outside here, very, very delicate. | 'round the outside here, very, very delicate. |
639 | 00:32:38,833 | 00:32:41,076 | Again, that's quite an early-ish feature. | Again, that's quite an early-ish feature. |
640 | 00:32:41,100 | 00:32:43,043 | The craftsmanship is just magnificent. | The craftsmanship is just magnificent. |
641 | 00:32:43,067 | 00:32:45,676 | I can't believe that it's survived | I can't believe that it's survived |
642 | 00:32:45,700 | 00:32:48,376 | in such amazing condition. | in such amazing condition. |
643 | 00:32:48,400 | 00:32:50,743 | It's a very imposing, monumental ring, | It's a very imposing, monumental ring, |
644 | 00:32:50,767 | 00:32:55,597 | and in its whole character and style, it is unique. | and in its whole character and style, it is unique. |
645 | 00:33:09,433 | 00:33:12,843 | Perhaps what's most interesting about this process | Perhaps what's most interesting about this process |
646 | 00:33:12,867 | 00:33:16,043 | of the re-Christianization of Britain | of the re-Christianization of Britain |
647 | 00:33:16,067 | 00:33:20,376 | is that it's not one neat, linear story. | is that it's not one neat, linear story. |
648 | 00:33:20,400 | 00:33:24,876 | Various missionaries arrived at different times from overseas, | Various missionaries arrived at different times from overseas, |
649 | 00:33:24,900 | 00:33:28,743 | preaching the religions of the Celtic and Roman churches | preaching the religions of the Celtic and Roman churches |
650 | 00:33:28,767 | 00:33:34,067 | and attempting the conversion of the pagan Anglo-Saxon kings. | and attempting the conversion of the pagan Anglo-Saxon kings. |
651 | 00:33:39,233 | 00:33:42,176 | According to Bede, the Northumbrian King Oswald | According to Bede, the Northumbrian King Oswald |
652 | 00:33:42,200 | 00:33:44,876 | brought Christianity to his people. | brought Christianity to his people. |
653 | 00:33:44,900 | 00:33:48,543 | He called for a missionary to come from the Irish monastery | He called for a missionary to come from the Irish monastery |
654 | 00:33:48,567 | 00:33:52,443 | on the island of Iona to convert his people. | on the island of Iona to convert his people. |
655 | 00:33:52,467 | 00:33:54,309 | And when the monk Aidan arrived, | And when the monk Aidan arrived, |
656 | 00:33:54,333 | 00:33:58,743 | Oswald granted him land to build a monastery on Lindisfarne, | Oswald granted him land to build a monastery on Lindisfarne, |
657 | 00:33:58,767 | 00:34:03,497 | over there, and the island became a cradle of Christianity. | over there, and the island became a cradle of Christianity. |
658 | 00:34:05,400 | 00:34:08,643 | This was the golden age of Northumbria. | This was the golden age of Northumbria. |
659 | 00:34:08,667 | 00:34:11,476 | The royal capital of Bamburgh would have been a magnet | The royal capital of Bamburgh would have been a magnet |
660 | 00:34:11,500 | 00:34:13,476 | for people from across the kingdom, | for people from across the kingdom, |
661 | 00:34:13,500 | 00:34:15,609 | perhaps from across the world, | perhaps from across the world, |
662 | 00:34:15,633 | 00:34:20,703 | who came here seeking fame, glory, and gainful employment. | who came here seeking fame, glory, and gainful employment. |
663 | 00:34:24,433 | 00:34:25,909 | 12 years ago, | 12 years ago, |
664 | 00:34:25,933 | 00:34:29,509 | archaeologists located an extensive burial ground | archaeologists located an extensive burial ground |
665 | 00:34:29,533 | 00:34:31,673 | right next to the castle. | right next to the castle. |
666 | 00:34:32,633 | 00:34:34,043 | Buried beneath the sand dunes | Buried beneath the sand dunes |
667 | 00:34:34,067 | 00:34:36,276 | were the remains of the residents | were the remains of the residents |
668 | 00:34:36,300 | 00:34:38,970 | of the Anglo-Saxon fortress of Bamburgh. | of the Anglo-Saxon fortress of Bamburgh. |
669 | 00:34:40,067 | 00:34:42,543 | 100 skeletons were removed, | 100 skeletons were removed, |
670 | 00:34:42,567 | 00:34:44,243 | just a portion of the total number | just a portion of the total number |
671 | 00:34:44,267 | 00:34:48,409 | believed to be buried there, and taken to Durham University | believed to be buried there, and taken to Durham University |
672 | 00:34:48,433 | 00:34:50,809 | for extensive analysis and research. | for extensive analysis and research. |
673 | 00:34:50,833 | 00:34:54,343 | I'm an osteologist, someone who studies human bones, | I'm an osteologist, someone who studies human bones, |
674 | 00:34:54,367 | 00:34:57,576 | so I know how much these physical remains can reveal | so I know how much these physical remains can reveal |
675 | 00:34:57,600 | 00:35:00,209 | about the lives of past people. | about the lives of past people. |
676 | 00:35:00,233 | 00:35:02,109 | Archaeologists can tell a certain amount | Archaeologists can tell a certain amount |
677 | 00:35:02,133 | 00:35:03,443 | about ancient lifestyles | about ancient lifestyles |
678 | 00:35:03,467 | 00:35:06,676 | by looking at objects that people have left behind, | by looking at objects that people have left behind, |
679 | 00:35:06,700 | 00:35:08,776 | but long after we die, | but long after we die, |
680 | 00:35:08,800 | 00:35:13,870 | our bones hold an enormous amount of information about us. | our bones hold an enormous amount of information about us. |
681 | 00:35:14,700 | 00:35:18,043 | Dr. Sarah Groves was involved in the excavations at Bamburgh | Dr. Sarah Groves was involved in the excavations at Bamburgh |
682 | 00:35:18,067 | 00:35:19,709 | as a student | as a student |
683 | 00:35:19,733 | 00:35:23,109 | and has been analyzing the skeletons ever since. | and has been analyzing the skeletons ever since. |
684 | 00:35:23,133 | 00:35:25,743 | Her findings, due to be published next year, | Her findings, due to be published next year, |
685 | 00:35:25,767 | 00:35:28,176 | reveal some fascinating observations | reveal some fascinating observations |
686 | 00:35:28,200 | 00:35:30,070 | about the community living there. | about the community living there. |
687 | 00:35:32,467 | 00:35:33,943 | The vast majority of the population | The vast majority of the population |
688 | 00:35:33,967 | 00:35:35,609 | did have quite bad teeth. | did have quite bad teeth. |
689 | 00:35:35,633 | 00:35:38,176 | Almost every individual, adults and children alike, | Almost every individual, adults and children alike, |
690 | 00:35:38,200 | 00:35:40,943 | had calculus on some of their teeth, at least, | had calculus on some of their teeth, at least, |
691 | 00:35:40,967 | 00:35:43,076 | and a really high proportion of them had caries, as well, | and a really high proportion of them had caries, as well, |
692 | 00:35:43,100 | 00:35:46,376 | so that's tooth decay, like this individual here. | so that's tooth decay, like this individual here. |
693 | 00:35:46,400 | 00:35:47,809 | That hole's massive. | That hole's massive. |
694 | 00:35:47,833 | 00:35:52,209 | It's taken away almost the entire top of the root there. | It's taken away almost the entire top of the root there. |
695 | 00:35:52,233 | 00:35:53,876 | Just hanging on to the crown. | Just hanging on to the crown. |
696 | 00:35:53,900 | 00:35:55,609 | And the tooth next to it's completely gone. | And the tooth next to it's completely gone. |
697 | 00:35:55,633 | 00:35:57,276 | All we've got left is the roots remaining there. | All we've got left is the roots remaining there. |
698 | 00:35:57,300 | 00:35:58,443 | Yeah. | Yeah. |
699 | 00:35:58,467 | 00:36:01,476 | We all know the pain of toothache, | We all know the pain of toothache, |
700 | 00:36:01,500 | 00:36:03,043 | and these people didn't have modern drugs | and these people didn't have modern drugs |
701 | 00:36:03,067 | 00:36:05,467 | or dentists to ease their pain. | or dentists to ease their pain. |
702 | 00:36:08,200 | 00:36:10,376 | So, why do you think there were such high rates | So, why do you think there were such high rates |
703 | 00:36:10,400 | 00:36:13,109 | of tooth decay and gum disease in this population? | of tooth decay and gum disease in this population? |
704 | 00:36:13,133 | 00:36:14,709 | Well, it's got to be something to do with the diet | Well, it's got to be something to do with the diet |
705 | 00:36:14,733 | 00:36:16,043 | that they're eating. | that they're eating. |
706 | 00:36:16,067 | 00:36:17,676 | Because it's affecting the whole population, | Because it's affecting the whole population, |
707 | 00:36:17,700 | 00:36:19,876 | so they must be eating something in their diet | so they must be eating something in their diet |
708 | 00:36:19,900 | 00:36:24,076 | which is making them more prone to having these dental diseases. | which is making them more prone to having these dental diseases. |
709 | 00:36:24,100 | 00:36:25,509 | And what could that be? | And what could that be? |
710 | 00:36:25,533 | 00:36:28,076 | Well, I think that they must be eating quite a lot of meat, | Well, I think that they must be eating quite a lot of meat, |
711 | 00:36:28,100 | 00:36:30,309 | and we're seeing that from the archaeological material, | and we're seeing that from the archaeological material, |
712 | 00:36:30,333 | 00:36:33,576 | and also eating a lot of flour, which is quite starchy | and also eating a lot of flour, which is quite starchy |
713 | 00:36:33,600 | 00:36:35,743 | and leads to sugars building up in the mouth. | and leads to sugars building up in the mouth. |
714 | 00:36:35,767 | 00:36:39,676 | And also things like beer and wine and mead, | And also things like beer and wine and mead, |
715 | 00:36:39,700 | 00:36:41,309 | all of which are quite sugary, | all of which are quite sugary, |
716 | 00:36:41,333 | 00:36:43,143 | and if you're drinking a lot of drinks like that, | and if you're drinking a lot of drinks like that, |
717 | 00:36:43,167 | 00:36:44,876 | then that can also lead to tooth decay. | then that can also lead to tooth decay. |
718 | 00:36:44,900 | 00:36:47,609 | So, rather bizarrely, these atrocious teeth | So, rather bizarrely, these atrocious teeth |
719 | 00:36:47,633 | 00:36:50,343 | are telling us that these people had quite a luxurious lifestyle? | are telling us that these people had quite a luxurious lifestyle? |
720 | 00:36:50,367 | 00:36:52,209 | Potentially, yeah. | Potentially, yeah. |
721 | 00:36:52,233 | 00:36:54,609 | And very rarely, the stories told | And very rarely, the stories told |
722 | 00:36:54,633 | 00:36:57,209 | by individual skeletons contain clues | by individual skeletons contain clues |
723 | 00:36:57,233 | 00:37:00,073 | about the way these people interacted with each other. | about the way these people interacted with each other. |
724 | 00:37:02,233 | 00:37:05,209 | So is this a young person, a juvenile? | So is this a young person, a juvenile? |
725 | 00:37:05,233 | 00:37:08,276 | It's a young person, but I don't think it's really a juvenile. | It's a young person, but I don't think it's really a juvenile. |
726 | 00:37:08,300 | 00:37:10,176 | If you look at the state of fusion, | If you look at the state of fusion, |
727 | 00:37:10,200 | 00:37:13,109 | it could be an individual who's between 10 and 16 years. | it could be an individual who's between 10 and 16 years. |
728 | 00:37:13,133 | 00:37:16,576 | So looking here, the end of the radius in the forearm, | So looking here, the end of the radius in the forearm, |
729 | 00:37:16,600 | 00:37:18,343 | that's still completely separate, | that's still completely separate, |
730 | 00:37:18,367 | 00:37:19,943 | and the ends of these finger bones, as well, | and the ends of these finger bones, as well, |
731 | 00:37:19,967 | 00:37:22,043 | are still separate. | are still separate. |
732 | 00:37:22,067 | 00:37:24,043 | But if you come up here and look at the teeth, | But if you come up here and look at the teeth, |
733 | 00:37:24,067 | 00:37:26,109 | you can see that actually | you can see that actually |
734 | 00:37:26,133 | 00:37:28,173 | they've got quite an adult dentition. | they've got quite an adult dentition. |
735 | 00:37:29,300 | 00:37:32,209 | Do these teeth really belong with this skeleton? | Do these teeth really belong with this skeleton? |
736 | 00:37:32,233 | 00:37:34,943 | They do, and if I hadn't been there during the excavation, | They do, and if I hadn't been there during the excavation, |
737 | 00:37:34,967 | 00:37:36,643 | I would have asked some questions | I would have asked some questions |
738 | 00:37:36,667 | 00:37:38,609 | about whether the skull did belong with the body. | about whether the skull did belong with the body. |
739 | 00:37:38,633 | 00:37:39,909 | But it really does. | But it really does. |
740 | 00:37:39,933 | 00:37:42,643 | So we're looking at somebody who, from their teeth, | So we're looking at somebody who, from their teeth, |
741 | 00:37:42,667 | 00:37:46,476 | looks as though they're in their late teens, early twenties, | looks as though they're in their late teens, early twenties, |
742 | 00:37:46,500 | 00:37:48,243 | but from the rest of their bones | but from the rest of their bones |
743 | 00:37:48,267 | 00:37:50,176 | looks as though they're a child still. | looks as though they're a child still. |
744 | 00:37:50,200 | 00:37:54,143 | A picture was emerging of a seriously disabled young man | A picture was emerging of a seriously disabled young man |
745 | 00:37:54,167 | 00:37:57,743 | whose skeleton was ravaged by a debilitating condition. | whose skeleton was ravaged by a debilitating condition. |
746 | 00:37:57,767 | 00:37:59,709 | And if you go right down there to the knee, | And if you go right down there to the knee, |
747 | 00:37:59,733 | 00:38:03,476 | you can see this right knee is really abnormal. | you can see this right knee is really abnormal. |
748 | 00:38:03,500 | 00:38:04,743 | That's very odd. | That's very odd. |
749 | 00:38:04,767 | 00:38:07,576 | If I pick up the left knee, as well, for comparison, | If I pick up the left knee, as well, for comparison, |
750 | 00:38:07,600 | 00:38:08,643 | it just looks odd, doesn't it? | it just looks odd, doesn't it? |
751 | 00:38:08,667 | 00:38:09,743 | It's very flared. | It's very flared. |
752 | 00:38:09,767 | 00:38:12,043 | The knee joint is so malformed | The knee joint is so malformed |
753 | 00:38:12,067 | 00:38:14,427 | that it probably would've caused them problems with walking. | that it probably would've caused them problems with walking. |
754 | 00:38:15,567 | 00:38:19,876 | So this person had a congenital problem. | So this person had a congenital problem. |
755 | 00:38:19,900 | 00:38:22,109 | They're very short. | They're very short. |
756 | 00:38:22,133 | 00:38:24,043 | They probably look slightly deformed, as well, | They probably look slightly deformed, as well, |
757 | 00:38:24,067 | 00:38:26,343 | but they're being buried in this high-status cemetery. | but they're being buried in this high-status cemetery. |
758 | 00:38:26,367 | 00:38:28,409 | Yeah, and you can imagine that this is somebody | Yeah, and you can imagine that this is somebody |
759 | 00:38:28,433 | 00:38:31,243 | who's potentially had to be cared for throughout their life. | who's potentially had to be cared for throughout their life. |
760 | 00:38:31,267 | 00:38:33,876 | And yet they've still managed to reach early adulthood. | And yet they've still managed to reach early adulthood. |
761 | 00:38:33,900 | 00:38:36,443 | So it suggests that as the population, | So it suggests that as the population, |
762 | 00:38:36,467 | 00:38:38,709 | their family, their friends, are looking out for them, | their family, their friends, are looking out for them, |
763 | 00:38:38,733 | 00:38:42,043 | they're looking after them and affording them all the dignity | they're looking after them and affording them all the dignity |
764 | 00:38:42,067 | 00:38:44,343 | in burial that everybody else in the cemetery was given. | in burial that everybody else in the cemetery was given. |
765 | 00:38:44,367 | 00:38:46,576 | So it really shows you that this is a community | So it really shows you that this is a community |
766 | 00:38:46,600 | 00:38:49,909 | so much like us now, you know, caring for our sick, | so much like us now, you know, caring for our sick, |
767 | 00:38:49,933 | 00:38:52,209 | for our young people, for our elderly, | for our young people, for our elderly, |
768 | 00:38:52,233 | 00:38:53,903 | and for people with disabilities. | and for people with disabilities. |
769 | 00:38:59,800 | 00:39:03,109 | What's emerging is a different picture than we might expect | What's emerging is a different picture than we might expect |
770 | 00:39:03,133 | 00:39:05,443 | of these so-called barbarians. | of these so-called barbarians. |
771 | 00:39:05,467 | 00:39:09,043 | We're starting to see them as people like us, | We're starting to see them as people like us, |
772 | 00:39:09,067 | 00:39:12,409 | members of families with friends and loved ones, | members of families with friends and loved ones, |
773 | 00:39:12,433 | 00:39:13,843 | and this isn't just the perspective | and this isn't just the perspective |
774 | 00:39:13,867 | 00:39:15,543 | that we're getting at Banburgh. | that we're getting at Banburgh. |
775 | 00:39:15,567 | 00:39:17,943 | 300 miles away to the southwest, | 300 miles away to the southwest, |
776 | 00:39:17,967 | 00:39:21,043 | Mark Horton has been researching a wonderful story | Mark Horton has been researching a wonderful story |
777 | 00:39:21,067 | 00:39:26,267 | of Anglo-Saxon royalty and a Wessex princess in love. | of Anglo-Saxon royalty and a Wessex princess in love. |
778 | 00:39:31,367 | 00:39:34,343 | Inside Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire | Inside Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire |
779 | 00:39:34,367 | 00:39:38,376 | is a tomb dedicated to the first king of all England, | is a tomb dedicated to the first king of all England, |
780 | 00:39:38,400 | 00:39:40,070 | Athelstan. | Athelstan. |
781 | 00:39:41,433 | 00:39:44,776 | Athelstan, remarkably for his period, | Athelstan, remarkably for his period, |
782 | 00:39:44,800 | 00:39:47,609 | was not just somebody who wanted to expand | was not just somebody who wanted to expand |
783 | 00:39:47,633 | 00:39:50,376 | the frontiers of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom, | the frontiers of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom, |
784 | 00:39:50,400 | 00:39:54,443 | but also wanted to create alliances with Europe. | but also wanted to create alliances with Europe. |
785 | 00:39:54,467 | 00:39:58,043 | And he systematically married off his sisters | And he systematically married off his sisters |
786 | 00:39:58,067 | 00:40:03,409 | to all sorts of European rulers and princes and dukes. | to all sorts of European rulers and princes and dukes. |
787 | 00:40:03,433 | 00:40:05,243 | The most successful alliance | The most successful alliance |
788 | 00:40:05,267 | 00:40:09,109 | was between his sister Edith and Otto of Germany. | was between his sister Edith and Otto of Germany. |
789 | 00:40:09,133 | 00:40:11,976 | Not only was this a politically astute move, | Not only was this a politically astute move, |
790 | 00:40:12,000 | 00:40:15,809 | but it also proved to be a great love affair. | but it also proved to be a great love affair. |
791 | 00:40:15,833 | 00:40:19,043 | Edith captured the imagination not only of Otto, | Edith captured the imagination not only of Otto, |
792 | 00:40:19,067 | 00:40:22,309 | but also his court and the people around her, | but also his court and the people around her, |
793 | 00:40:22,333 | 00:40:24,776 | because she was clearly stunningly beautiful. | because she was clearly stunningly beautiful. |
794 | 00:40:24,800 | 00:40:29,709 | We know that Otto was very much devoted to her. | We know that Otto was very much devoted to her. |
795 | 00:40:29,733 | 00:40:34,543 | He gave Magdeburg as a dowry, this town on the frontier, | He gave Magdeburg as a dowry, this town on the frontier, |
796 | 00:40:34,567 | 00:40:35,943 | where she ended up being buried | where she ended up being buried |
797 | 00:40:35,967 | 00:40:38,967 | and where Otto himself ended up being buried later on. | and where Otto himself ended up being buried later on. |
798 | 00:40:39,767 | 00:40:43,609 | During recent excavations in Magdeburg Cathedral in Germany, | During recent excavations in Magdeburg Cathedral in Germany, |
799 | 00:40:43,633 | 00:40:45,776 | archaeologists set about exploring | archaeologists set about exploring |
800 | 00:40:45,800 | 00:40:50,170 | a 16th-century sarcophagus dedicated to Edith. | a 16th-century sarcophagus dedicated to Edith. |
801 | 00:40:50,233 | 00:40:51,609 | It was thought to be a cenotaph. | It was thought to be a cenotaph. |
802 | 00:40:51,633 | 00:40:53,443 | It was thought to be an empty tomb. | It was thought to be an empty tomb. |
803 | 00:40:53,467 | 00:40:58,327 | But actually, inside was found a lead casket. | But actually, inside was found a lead casket. |
804 | 00:40:59,367 | 00:41:02,343 | And in that was an inscription that said, | And in that was an inscription that said, |
805 | 00:41:02,367 | 00:41:04,743 | "These are the remains of Queen Edith | "These are the remains of Queen Edith |
806 | 00:41:04,767 | 00:41:09,143 | that were placed here in the year 1510." | that were placed here in the year 1510." |
807 | 00:41:09,167 | 00:41:13,143 | But in the Middle Ages, people constantly moved bones around. | But in the Middle Ages, people constantly moved bones around. |
808 | 00:41:13,167 | 00:41:17,276 | Relics was big business, so we really had to be certain | Relics was big business, so we really had to be certain |
809 | 00:41:17,300 | 00:41:19,776 | that the bones were those of Edith | that the bones were those of Edith |
810 | 00:41:19,800 | 00:41:22,809 | and not come random person that had been scooped up | and not come random person that had been scooped up |
811 | 00:41:22,833 | 00:41:25,873 | in order to give this tomb some credibility. | in order to give this tomb some credibility. |
812 | 00:41:26,833 | 00:41:28,643 | If these were her remains, | If these were her remains, |
813 | 00:41:28,667 | 00:41:31,509 | it would be an extremely significant find, | it would be an extremely significant find, |
814 | 00:41:31,533 | 00:41:35,309 | providing a direct link to the first king of England, | providing a direct link to the first king of England, |
815 | 00:41:35,333 | 00:41:37,043 | Athelstan. | Athelstan. |
816 | 00:41:37,067 | 00:41:41,867 | And only science can help us determine whose body this is. | And only science can help us determine whose body this is. |
817 | 00:41:47,667 | 00:41:50,043 | Two of the teeth found within the coffin | Two of the teeth found within the coffin |
818 | 00:41:50,067 | 00:41:53,327 | were sent off to be analyzed at Bristol University. | were sent off to be analyzed at Bristol University. |
819 | 00:41:54,133 | 00:41:56,043 | Dr. Alistair Pike | Dr. Alistair Pike |
820 | 00:41:56,067 | 00:41:58,509 | planned to measure strontium isotopes in the teeth | planned to measure strontium isotopes in the teeth |
821 | 00:41:58,533 | 00:42:02,073 | to find out where this individual grew up. | to find out where this individual grew up. |
822 | 00:42:02,767 | 00:42:07,509 | Strontium is found in soil and absorbed by plants and animals. | Strontium is found in soil and absorbed by plants and animals. |
823 | 00:42:07,533 | 00:42:10,209 | It finds its way into the bones and teeth | It finds its way into the bones and teeth |
824 | 00:42:10,233 | 00:42:11,833 | of the people who eat them. | of the people who eat them. |
825 | 00:42:12,900 | 00:42:15,143 | Because teeth form during childhood, | Because teeth form during childhood, |
826 | 00:42:15,167 | 00:42:17,176 | the strontium found in dental enamel | the strontium found in dental enamel |
827 | 00:42:17,200 | 00:42:21,076 | reflects where a person was born and raised. | reflects where a person was born and raised. |
828 | 00:42:21,100 | 00:42:24,709 | And in Edith's case, this would have been in Wessex, | And in Edith's case, this would have been in Wessex, |
829 | 00:42:24,733 | 00:42:29,243 | the royal kingdom at the heart of an emerging England. | the royal kingdom at the heart of an emerging England. |
830 | 00:42:29,267 | 00:42:31,376 | As far as Alistair's concerned, | As far as Alistair's concerned, |
831 | 00:42:31,400 | 00:42:35,370 | the results from the Magdeburg tomb are conclusive. | the results from the Magdeburg tomb are conclusive. |
832 | 00:42:36,067 | 00:42:38,876 | I think that we can be 99% certain | I think that we can be 99% certain |
833 | 00:42:38,900 | 00:42:42,043 | that we have the remains of Princess Edith, | that we have the remains of Princess Edith, |
834 | 00:42:42,067 | 00:42:44,476 | partly because the archaeological evidence suggests | partly because the archaeological evidence suggests |
835 | 00:42:44,500 | 00:42:45,909 | she's of the correct age, | she's of the correct age, |
836 | 00:42:45,933 | 00:42:47,609 | but using the strontium isotopes, | but using the strontium isotopes, |
837 | 00:42:47,633 | 00:42:50,076 | we can show that the results are consistent | we can show that the results are consistent |
838 | 00:42:50,100 | 00:42:53,176 | with someone who's been brought up on the kind of geology | with someone who's been brought up on the kind of geology |
839 | 00:42:53,200 | 00:42:54,943 | that surrounds the Winchester area, | that surrounds the Winchester area, |
840 | 00:42:54,967 | 00:42:56,709 | which is what the historical accounts suggest | which is what the historical accounts suggest |
841 | 00:42:56,733 | 00:42:58,303 | Princess Edith did. | Princess Edith did. |
842 | 00:42:59,233 | 00:43:02,343 | Although Edith died over 1,000 years ago, | Although Edith died over 1,000 years ago, |
843 | 00:43:02,367 | 00:43:03,843 | she remains proof | she remains proof |
844 | 00:43:03,867 | 00:43:06,643 | of our timeless fascination with princesses. | of our timeless fascination with princesses. |
845 | 00:43:06,667 | 00:43:09,509 | She came back to England in a way that, in her lifetime, | She came back to England in a way that, in her lifetime, |
846 | 00:43:09,533 | 00:43:11,109 | she would never have expected to do, | she would never have expected to do, |
847 | 00:43:11,133 | 00:43:14,476 | and she was an exceptional lady | and she was an exceptional lady |
848 | 00:43:14,500 | 00:43:18,609 | and somebody who really is at the fountainhead | and somebody who really is at the fountainhead |
849 | 00:43:18,633 | 00:43:20,676 | of sort of modern Europe, | of sort of modern Europe, |
850 | 00:43:20,700 | 00:43:23,643 | whose blood probably runs in the veins | whose blood probably runs in the veins |
851 | 00:43:23,667 | 00:43:25,967 | of most royal families in Europe today. | of most royal families in Europe today. |
852 | 00:43:26,900 | 00:43:30,143 | If Edith's bones tell a royal love story, | If Edith's bones tell a royal love story, |
853 | 00:43:30,167 | 00:43:33,176 | the skeleton of one young man from Bamburgh | the skeleton of one young man from Bamburgh |
854 | 00:43:33,200 | 00:43:36,643 | encapsulates the violence of the Anglo-Saxon years | encapsulates the violence of the Anglo-Saxon years |
855 | 00:43:36,667 | 00:43:39,497 | and bears witness to his untimely death. | and bears witness to his untimely death. |
856 | 00:43:41,400 | 00:43:43,876 | This is his left arm. It's part of his left shoulder. | This is his left arm. It's part of his left shoulder. |
857 | 00:43:43,900 | 00:43:47,043 | You can see that this has been sliced away | You can see that this has been sliced away |
858 | 00:43:47,067 | 00:43:48,443 | across the top of the shoulder. | across the top of the shoulder. |
859 | 00:43:48,467 | 00:43:51,309 | And this is something which has happened in life, | And this is something which has happened in life, |
860 | 00:43:51,333 | 00:43:52,709 | rather than something which has happened | rather than something which has happened |
861 | 00:43:52,733 | 00:43:54,209 | - to the bones in the ground. - Yeah, definitely. | - to the bones in the ground. - Yeah, definitely. |
862 | 00:43:54,233 | 00:43:56,509 | You can see if I put the rest of the shoulder together there | You can see if I put the rest of the shoulder together there |
863 | 00:43:56,533 | 00:43:59,376 | that we've got another piece of bone which has been sliced away. | that we've got another piece of bone which has been sliced away. |
864 | 00:43:59,400 | 00:44:01,276 | So this has happened while these two bones | So this has happened while these two bones |
865 | 00:44:01,300 | 00:44:03,243 | were actually still together as a joint. | were actually still together as a joint. |
866 | 00:44:03,267 | 00:44:05,209 | Something has sliced through them. | Something has sliced through them. |
867 | 00:44:05,233 | 00:44:06,443 | Yeah, absolutely. | Yeah, absolutely. |
868 | 00:44:06,467 | 00:44:09,076 | So that's been a cut across his shoulder there. | So that's been a cut across his shoulder there. |
869 | 00:44:09,100 | 00:44:11,843 | And you can see here on the pelvis, | And you can see here on the pelvis, |
870 | 00:44:11,867 | 00:44:14,276 | a great big slice of bone has been completely cut away. | a great big slice of bone has been completely cut away. |
871 | 00:44:14,300 | 00:44:16,109 | Oh, my goodness, yeah, yeah. | Oh, my goodness, yeah, yeah. |
872 | 00:44:16,133 | 00:44:17,643 | Cleaved right across. | Cleaved right across. |
873 | 00:44:17,667 | 00:44:20,643 | It has, so that's sliced away | It has, so that's sliced away |
874 | 00:44:20,667 | 00:44:22,276 | the front of the pelvis quite cleanly. | the front of the pelvis quite cleanly. |
875 | 00:44:22,300 | 00:44:25,909 | Mm, and all the way down to his left knee. | Mm, and all the way down to his left knee. |
876 | 00:44:25,933 | 00:44:27,609 | - Really? - Down here. | - Really? - Down here. |
877 | 00:44:27,633 | 00:44:29,943 | Again, sliced off right on the left-hand side. | Again, sliced off right on the left-hand side. |
878 | 00:44:29,967 | 00:44:31,343 | Really clean slice. | Really clean slice. |
879 | 00:44:31,367 | 00:44:33,909 | So it's, again, taken off the side of his knee. | So it's, again, taken off the side of his knee. |
880 | 00:44:33,933 | 00:44:36,943 | And this has sliced down the entire left side of his body. | And this has sliced down the entire left side of his body. |
881 | 00:44:36,967 | 00:44:38,043 | Yeah, it's really exciting | Yeah, it's really exciting |
882 | 00:44:38,067 | 00:44:39,343 | because it gives us the possibility | because it gives us the possibility |
883 | 00:44:39,367 | 00:44:41,409 | of even reconstructing how he was standing | of even reconstructing how he was standing |
884 | 00:44:41,433 | 00:44:42,643 | when the blow was struck. | when the blow was struck. |
885 | 00:44:42,667 | 00:44:45,143 | So because of the way that his shoulder is cut, | So because of the way that his shoulder is cut, |
886 | 00:44:45,167 | 00:44:47,143 | we can tell that his arm must have been slightly forward | we can tell that his arm must have been slightly forward |
887 | 00:44:47,167 | 00:44:48,676 | and across his body, | and across his body, |
888 | 00:44:48,700 | 00:44:51,076 | so he's probably standing in a defensive pose, | so he's probably standing in a defensive pose, |
889 | 00:44:51,100 | 00:44:54,176 | so he's actually involved in the fight which happened, | so he's actually involved in the fight which happened, |
890 | 00:44:54,200 | 00:44:55,276 | which led to the accident. | which led to the accident. |
891 | 00:44:55,300 | 00:44:57,043 | And it's left side, which makes sense | And it's left side, which makes sense |
892 | 00:44:57,067 | 00:44:58,843 | if you've got a right-handed aggressor. | if you've got a right-handed aggressor. |
893 | 00:44:58,867 | 00:45:00,409 | Yeah, absolutely, yeah. | Yeah, absolutely, yeah. |
894 | 00:45:00,433 | 00:45:02,043 | And potentially somebody who's coming | And potentially somebody who's coming |
895 | 00:45:02,067 | 00:45:03,376 | from a little bit above him, as well. | from a little bit above him, as well. |
896 | 00:45:03,400 | 00:45:06,209 | Do you think that he might have been a warrior? | Do you think that he might have been a warrior? |
897 | 00:45:06,233 | 00:45:07,209 | It is possible. | It is possible. |
898 | 00:45:07,233 | 00:45:08,343 | Even though he's quite small, | Even though he's quite small, |
899 | 00:45:08,367 | 00:45:11,409 | we know that men in the Anglo-Saxon period | we know that men in the Anglo-Saxon period |
900 | 00:45:11,433 | 00:45:12,843 | started their careers quite early, | started their careers quite early, |
901 | 00:45:12,867 | 00:45:15,043 | so we have evidence for boys as young as 7 | so we have evidence for boys as young as 7 |
902 | 00:45:15,067 | 00:45:17,776 | being sent to monasteries to train as monks, | being sent to monasteries to train as monks, |
903 | 00:45:17,800 | 00:45:21,843 | and we know that the elite started training with weapons | and we know that the elite started training with weapons |
904 | 00:45:21,867 | 00:45:23,209 | from quite a young age, as well. | from quite a young age, as well. |
905 | 00:45:23,233 | 00:45:24,509 | So from maybe around 7 or 8, | So from maybe around 7 or 8, |
906 | 00:45:24,533 | 00:45:26,643 | he might have started learning how to use weapons. | he might have started learning how to use weapons. |
907 | 00:45:26,667 | 00:45:28,876 | So this is a young man who had a very tough, | So this is a young man who had a very tough, |
908 | 00:45:28,900 | 00:45:31,570 | physically demanding, but very short life. | physically demanding, but very short life. |
909 | 00:45:36,333 | 00:45:38,243 | By looking at skeletons like these, | By looking at skeletons like these, |
910 | 00:45:38,267 | 00:45:41,176 | we can tell so much more about past societies, | we can tell so much more about past societies, |
911 | 00:45:41,200 | 00:45:44,143 | and new technologies are allowing us to get at evidence | and new technologies are allowing us to get at evidence |
912 | 00:45:44,167 | 00:45:47,576 | that's locked away inside their bones and teeth | that's locked away inside their bones and teeth |
913 | 00:45:47,600 | 00:45:50,709 | about diet or even where they grew up. | about diet or even where they grew up. |
914 | 00:45:50,733 | 00:45:53,176 | But when you look at the bones laid out like that, | But when you look at the bones laid out like that, |
915 | 00:45:53,200 | 00:45:55,409 | the skeleton of that young man, for instance, | the skeleton of that young man, for instance, |
916 | 00:45:55,433 | 00:45:58,143 | who died with that horrific injury, | who died with that horrific injury, |
917 | 00:45:58,167 | 00:46:00,909 | you realize there are also much more personal stories | you realize there are also much more personal stories |
918 | 00:46:00,933 | 00:46:02,103 | to be told. | to be told. |
919 | 00:46:03,967 | 00:46:06,043 | The warrior kings of Northumbria | The warrior kings of Northumbria |
920 | 00:46:06,067 | 00:46:09,609 | ruled Bamburgh at sword point for hundreds of years. | ruled Bamburgh at sword point for hundreds of years. |
921 | 00:46:09,633 | 00:46:11,543 | And they left us one final reminder | And they left us one final reminder |
922 | 00:46:11,567 | 00:46:15,476 | of their turbulent times, almost unrecognizable now. | of their turbulent times, almost unrecognizable now. |
923 | 00:46:15,500 | 00:46:19,800 | These swords are the ultimate symbols of Anglo-Saxon power. | These swords are the ultimate symbols of Anglo-Saxon power. |
924 | 00:46:20,800 | 00:46:23,043 | These are quite magnificent items, aren't they? | These are quite magnificent items, aren't they? |
925 | 00:46:23,067 | 00:46:25,209 | They're both... I mean, obviously they're corroded now, | They're both... I mean, obviously they're corroded now, |
926 | 00:46:25,233 | 00:46:27,509 | but when we X-ray them, we can see the deep structure, | but when we X-ray them, we can see the deep structure, |
927 | 00:46:27,533 | 00:46:28,876 | and they're pattern-welded, | and they're pattern-welded, |
928 | 00:46:28,900 | 00:46:32,476 | which means that they're made out of a series of rods | which means that they're made out of a series of rods |
929 | 00:46:32,500 | 00:46:35,143 | welded together, with a blade added to the outside. | welded together, with a blade added to the outside. |
930 | 00:46:35,167 | 00:46:37,143 | This one is particularly fine. | This one is particularly fine. |
931 | 00:46:37,167 | 00:46:39,243 | You can see that it actually survives. | You can see that it actually survives. |
932 | 00:46:39,267 | 00:46:42,276 | There's a lot of metal in it. It's very strong, very coherent. | There's a lot of metal in it. It's very strong, very coherent. |
933 | 00:46:42,300 | 00:46:45,676 | This has six billets in the core of the blade. | This has six billets in the core of the blade. |
934 | 00:46:45,700 | 00:46:48,509 | So this would've been a high-status sword? | So this would've been a high-status sword? |
935 | 00:46:48,533 | 00:46:52,176 | Definitely. I mean, six-stranded swords are very, very rare. | Definitely. I mean, six-stranded swords are very, very rare. |
936 | 00:46:52,200 | 00:46:53,743 | There are very few in Western Europe, | There are very few in Western Europe, |
937 | 00:46:53,767 | 00:46:55,676 | so the likelihood is that we're looking at something | so the likelihood is that we're looking at something |
938 | 00:46:55,700 | 00:46:58,443 | that may even be more than just an aristocratic warrior. | that may even be more than just an aristocratic warrior. |
939 | 00:46:58,467 | 00:47:01,643 | This may have been genuinely an heirloom of the royal house. | This may have been genuinely an heirloom of the royal house. |
940 | 00:47:01,667 | 00:47:03,043 | It may have been carried by kings. | It may have been carried by kings. |
941 | 00:47:03,067 | 00:47:05,309 | And looking at this sword, | And looking at this sword, |
942 | 00:47:05,333 | 00:47:07,776 | I can't help but remember back | I can't help but remember back |
943 | 00:47:07,800 | 00:47:10,176 | to the skeleton from the cemetery here | to the skeleton from the cemetery here |
944 | 00:47:10,200 | 00:47:12,709 | who was obviously a young man, | who was obviously a young man, |
945 | 00:47:12,733 | 00:47:14,343 | who died at the hands of somebody | who died at the hands of somebody |
946 | 00:47:14,367 | 00:47:16,067 | wielding a weapon just like this. | wielding a weapon just like this. |
947 | 00:47:18,433 | 00:47:22,243 | The royal swords, and indeed the entire site of Bamburgh, | The royal swords, and indeed the entire site of Bamburgh, |
948 | 00:47:22,267 | 00:47:25,467 | are fitting symbols for the whole of Anglo-Saxon Britain. | are fitting symbols for the whole of Anglo-Saxon Britain. |
949 | 00:47:32,367 | 00:47:35,843 | There are still so many unanswered questions, | There are still so many unanswered questions, |
950 | 00:47:35,867 | 00:47:38,076 | and the mysteries will remain a challenge | and the mysteries will remain a challenge |
951 | 00:47:38,100 | 00:47:40,909 | for archaeologists and historians to unlock | for archaeologists and historians to unlock |
952 | 00:47:40,933 | 00:47:42,903 | for many years to come. | for many years to come. |
953 | 00:47:43,933 | 00:47:47,833 | But it does offer us tangible connections, too. | But it does offer us tangible connections, too. |
954 | 00:47:51,533 | 00:47:53,773 | So what have I learned? | So what have I learned? |
955 | 00:47:54,767 | 00:47:58,043 | Well, in many ways, these people were just like us. | Well, in many ways, these people were just like us. |
956 | 00:47:58,067 | 00:48:00,476 | They had holes in their teeth. | They had holes in their teeth. |
957 | 00:48:00,500 | 00:48:01,943 | Some were healthy, | Some were healthy, |
958 | 00:48:01,967 | 00:48:06,543 | others marked by disease and cared for by their communities. | others marked by disease and cared for by their communities. |
959 | 00:48:06,567 | 00:48:10,676 | But this was a time of great unrest and violence. | But this was a time of great unrest and violence. |
960 | 00:48:10,700 | 00:48:13,776 | Weapons became symbols of status, | Weapons became symbols of status, |
961 | 00:48:13,800 | 00:48:16,243 | and people died by the sword. | and people died by the sword. |
962 | 00:48:16,267 | 00:48:17,676 | The struggle for power | The struggle for power |
963 | 00:48:17,700 | 00:48:20,643 | played out across all levels of society, | played out across all levels of society, |
964 | 00:48:20,667 | 00:48:23,309 | and even the dead were co-opted, | and even the dead were co-opted, |
965 | 00:48:23,333 | 00:48:26,576 | buried with treasures of gold and precious stones, | buried with treasures of gold and precious stones, |
966 | 00:48:26,600 | 00:48:31,509 | whose real value seemed to be as badges of identity. | whose real value seemed to be as badges of identity. |
967 | 00:48:31,533 | 00:48:34,376 | These people may not have left us detailed records | These people may not have left us detailed records |
968 | 00:48:34,400 | 00:48:35,809 | of their lives, | of their lives, |
969 | 00:48:35,833 | 00:48:39,809 | but archaeology is bringing them within our reach. | but archaeology is bringing them within our reach. |
970 | 00:48:39,833 | 00:48:42,073 | And the digging goes on. | And the digging goes on. |