Monument record MNN173633 - Harpole burial, east of Sandy Lane

In April 2022 an isolated female burial was uncovered during archaeological investigation ahead of housing development. The burial is dated to between 630-670 AD and included a remarkable collection of finds. The most significant of these was a necklace made up of 30 pendants including gold Roman coins, semi-precious stones set in gold and decorated glass pendents set in gold. The centrepiece is a large rectangular pendant constructed from gold and red garnets with a cross motif. Other finds include a poorly preserved pectoral cross made of thin sheets of silver attached to wood. A central cross is made of gold with garnets. The presence of the cross suggests that the individual may have held a special position in the early Christian community.

{1} Discovery of the Harpole treasure in 2022. The most ornate necklace of its kind ever found accompanying a burial dating to 630-670 AD. A large cross was also found - its size suggests that the woman may have been an early Christian leader. Almost nothing remained of the skeletal remains other than pieces of tooth enamel.

{2} Brief update on progress of analysis.

<1> Katherine Newton, 2023, The Harpole Treaure (Article). SNN116968.

<2> MOLA, 2023, The Harpole Burial: One year on (Article). SNN116967.

<3> Current Archaeology, 2023, Harpole's hidden gem (Article). SNN116969.

Record last edited

Jan 12 2026 8:33AM