The lavish garnet and gold “Trumpington Cross” that was found with the remains of a 16-year-old girl who lived during the 7th century signals that she was from an elite family and one of England’s earliest Christian converts.
In 597 AD, Pope Gregory had dispatched St. Augustine to England on a mission to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxon kings.
The noble class was first to adopt the new religion, so archaeologists from the University of Cambridge believe the teenager discovered by the Cambridge Archaeological Unit at Trumpington Meadows on Cambridge’s southern limits was likely a member of the aristocracy, if not royalty.
One of only five Trumpington Crosses known the exist, the teenager’s ornate pendant measures 3.5 cm (1.4 in) in diameter and was inlaid with 63 garnets. The gold loops on the back of each arm of the cross indicates that it may have been worn as a brooch, sewn onto to the front of a garment.
Delicate gold and garnet pins connected by a gold chain were also found near the teenager’s neck, a sign that the pins probably secured a long veil to an outer garment of fine linen. Also found near the body were an iron knife, glass beads and a chain which would have hung off her belt.
The body was found in a reclined position on a wooden-framed bed, which is an extremely rare occurrence. Only 18 bed burials have been documented in the UK. Bed burials are more common in Germany, and this is where scientists have been able to add another layer of intrigue to the young woman’s story.
Brand new “you are what you eat” isotopic analysis of the young woman’s bones and teeth conducted by bioarchaeologists Dr. Sam Leggett and Dr. Alice Rose, and archaeologist Dr. Emma Brownlee, during PhD research at the University of Cambridge revealed that she moved to England from somewhere near the Alps, perhaps southern Germany, sometime after she turned seven years old.
Leggett and Rose also found that once the girl had arrived in England, the proportion of protein in her diet decreased by a small, but significant, amount. This change occurred close to the end of her young life, showing that the period between her migration and burial near Cambridge was tragically short. Previous analysis indicated that the young woman had suffered from illness, but her cause of death remains unknown.
“So it seems that she was part of an elite group of women who probably traveled from mainland Europe, most likely Germany, in the 7th century, but they remain a bit of a mystery,” said Leggett. “Were they political brides or perhaps brides of Christ? The fact that her diet changed once she arrived in England suggests that her lifestyle may have changed quite significantly.”
Forensic artist Hew Morrison brought the girl’s likeness to life using measurements of the her skull and tissue depth data for Caucasian females. Without DNA analysis, Morrison could not be sure of her precise eye and hair color, but the image generated offers a strong indication of her appearance shortly before she died.
The image and artifacts from the mysterious woman’s burial will be unveiled today in a major new exhibition at Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA). “Beneath Our Feet: Archaeology of the Cambridge Region” will run from June 21, 2023, to April 14, 2024.
“The story of this young woman goes to the very heart of what our exhibition is all about – new research making visible the lives of people at pivotal moments of Cambridgeshire’s history,” noted Dr. Jody Joy, the exhibition’s co-curator. “MAA holds one of Britain’s most important collections of Early Medieval archaeology and the Trumpington bed burial is so important. It looks like it still has much more to teach us.”
Credits: The Trumpington Cross and excavation photos by University of Cambridge Archaeological Unit. Facial reconstruction by forensic artist Hew Morrison ©2023.
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💎 Step back in time with Elliott's Jewelers at our August Estate Jewelry Event! From August 22nd to 24th, explore exquisite, historical pieces from our collection. Preview our treasures here: www.elliottsjewelers.com/from-the-vault/#categories& and reserve your private viewing appointment between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history! 👑 🕰️
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🌟 Uncover the history and beauty of estate jewelry at Elliott's Jewelers this August! Join us for our exclusive Estate Jewelry Event from August 22nd-24th. Dive into our vault here: www.elliottsjewelers.com/from-the-vault/#categories& and select pieces to view at your private appointment. Book now to secure a spot from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm each day and make history part of your style! 🕰️✨
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Make your old jewelry work for you! 🌟 At Elliott's Jewelers, every piece holds value. Trade in your unworn treasures for funds or upgrade to something new and sparkling. Refresh your collection today. See how far your jewelry can take you with us! 💍 Find out more: www.elliottsjewelers.com/sell-your-jewelry/
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Book an Appointment At Elliott’s Jewelers, you can be sure that you are getting the best possible appraisal for your jewelry. Our jewelry experts are trained and certified in jewelry appraisal, and ...1 CommentComment on Facebook
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🌟 Step into a world of timeless elegance with our August Estate Jewelry Event at Elliott's Jewelers! 📅 Mark your calendars: August 22nd-24th. Immerse yourself in the stories of exquisite pieces from our vault. To make this experience truly personal, we are scheduling exclusive appointments from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm each day.
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💎 Discover timeless treasures at our August Estate Jewelry Event! Join us from August 22nd-24th at Elliott's Jewelers. Each piece has a unique story waiting to be part of yours.
Explore our exclusive collection here and book your private appointment from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm daily. Spaces are limited to ensure personalized attention. ✨ Find your next jewel with us! See more here: www.elliottsjewelers.com/from-the-vault/#categories&
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Beautiful 😍
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Elliott's Jewelers wishes you and your family a Happy 4th of July! We will be closed on Thursday, July 4th. Elliott's Jewelers was thrilled to be part of Mitch and Lauren Fussell's love story. Do you have an Elliott's Jewelers story too? Let's celebrate by sharing it with us so we can continue making history together! Your stories inspire us every day. 🎆
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Wish I could click the “Love” and “Wow” Buttons at the same time.