1,500 year old Anglo-Saxon cemetery discovered near Suffolk coast
Over 200 sets of remains were found during excavations near Lowestoft.
Excavation work near Oulton, ahead of a new housing development, has uncovered over 200 sets of remains dating back as early as the 6th Century.
Inside some of the graves were also artefacts including brooches, wrist clasps, amber and glass beads, iron knives and silver pennies.
According to archaeologists, the site has similarities to nearby Sutton Hoo and Snape, with many skeletons only visible as 'sand silhouettes'.
Andrew Peachey of Archaeological Solutions Ltd, who carried out the work, said: "Our archaeologists painstakingly excavated the delicate remains of 17 cremations and 191 inhumation burials.
"Due to the highly acidic soil the skeletons had mostly vanished and were luckily preserved as fragile shapes and shadows in the sand. These shadows also revealed traces of the wooden coffins that some of the individuals were buried in."
He continued: "Unusually, many graves also included fragments of pottery and in some cases complete decorated pots. Weapons were rare, with a sword in one grave, iron spear heads in three others, and at least one shield – the metal fittings of the shield remained in place around the silhouette of the dissolved wooden boards.
"Many of the artefacts were so fragile they had to be block lifted for micro-excavation in the labs at Norfolk Museum Service for analysis and conservation – they were even able to recover pieces of textiles and leather."
It's believed the site represents a small farming community with burials of all ages, and was in continuous use during a time where changes in burial practice were underway, as well as the conversion to Christianity.
Officers from the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service monitored the excavations.
A spokesperson said: "This is a nationally significant discovery and continues to evidence what a historic place Suffolk is. The site lies within the 7th Century Kingdom of the East Angles, made famous by the royal burial ground at nearby Sutton Hoo.
"It is important we oversee and record this work so that we can understand the community buried here and its connections to other finds in Oulton and the nearby settlements and cemeteries at Carlton Colville and Flixton.
"The work here would not have been possible without the generosity of Persimmon Homes, the expertise of Archaeological Solutions Ltd and the work of our officers to make sure that the cemetery was recorded and excavated to the highest standards."
All remains are now undergoing a post-excavation analysis and building work on the site has begun.
Once analysis of the remains and artefacts is complete, they will be available for researchers and local museums to loan for display.