On Monday, June 10, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery at a "once-in-a-decade" site in the United Kingdom, unearthing as many as 19,000 ancient artifacts from prehistory to the early Medieval period.
Many antique artifacts have been unearthed at the Calthorpe Gardens residential development outside the ancient market town of Banbury in southern England.
The most important discoveries are flint tools from the Mesolithic period, also known as the Middle Stone Age, which began around 10,000 BC to 4,000 BC in the UK. These ancient tools shed important light on the lives and practices of prehistoric ancestors.
The excavation, conducted by house builder Orbit Homes before constructing new homes at Calthorpe, has turned out to be an archaeological goldmine, revealing the area's rich cultural heritage.
Archaeologists discovered traces of a small community from the Late Bronze Age through the Middle or Late Iron Age during the excavation. They also found the early medieval Anglo-Saxon burial site nearby, which held the remains of at least 52 people.
The early Middle Ages in the region began with the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, a group of people from Germanic tribes who settled in Britain after the Romans left in 410 AD.
An archeological gold mine is the Calthorpe site. From the Late Bronze Age to the Middle/Late Iron Age community, handmade ceramics and textile tools have been discovered, offering insights into the daily activities of the inhabitants.
Furthermore, the community included the remains of roundhouses that provided insight into the architectural styles of the era, as well as several large enclosures that were likely used as animal pens.
The site has also revealed a wealth of grave goods from the Anglo-Saxon burials, including weapons, pendants, beaded necklaces, and personal items. The Anglo-Saxon period's burial customs, workmanship, and cultural traditions can all be learned from these artifacts.
