LONDON, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A Saxon king's spectacular burial chamber has been unearthed near England's Essex coast remarkably intact, except for the king.
The Times of London reported the chamber dates from the early Seventh Century. Although the king's body had dissolved over the centuries, 60 beautifully preserved pieces were found, including including gold buckles and brooches, glass vessels and copper bowls. Two gold foil crosses indicate he was an early convert to Christianity.
Archeologists were astonished by the quality and quantity of items found in the wood-lined burial chamber. Bronze cauldrons and flagons, a sword and shield, and personal items including a boardgame were fastened to the chamber walls with the original iron nails.
The discovery was unique since all the objects were found in their original positions, as they had been set on the day of the king's funeral nearly 1,400 years ago.
The burial site was found after authorities asked the Museum of London archaeology service to evaluate the site before road work began. When the original road over the site was built in the 1920s, workmen found some Saxon spears, swords and bones.
