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Kent Archaeological Society's Archaeological Collection - to Collections Introduction

Bifrons Anglo-Saxon Cemetery - Grave 39

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GRAVE 39 - 
   Finds  Down the left side lay a good sword with a hilt of bronze partly silvered and partly gilt, 


and near it three flat ornaments of silver gilt and two of bronze, all attached to what seems to be the remains of leather, and was probably the sword-belt. The three silver ornaments are alike, except in their chased ornamentation. I have engraved a full re­presentation of one, with side view, shewing the manner in which it held the belt; of the other two I have given the ornamentation only.


three flat ornaments of silver gilt and two of bronze

 It will be observed that both on the sword hilt and on one of the ornaments occur instances of the Aryan religious symbol called the "suastilca," well known as representing the primitive wooden machine for producing fire by friction, and used as typical of heat and life. The other ornaments also bear Aryan designs, especially the zigzag character supposed to represent lightning. These and similar Aryan symbols are not altogether unusual on the ornaments of the early Teutonic races, but have hitherto been more often found on Scandinavian than on Anglican relics. Three instances of the former will be found engraved in Mr. Haigh's paper in our Eighth Volume.* In England they are much rarer, and I believe this to be a unique instance of their discovery among the Jutes of Kent. 
* ' Arch. Cant.,' vol. viii., pp. 180, 181, 262.


 sword hilt


Close to the sword lay the iron umbo, handle, and braces of a shield, which again could scarcely have been circular. 


At the feet two knives, two iron nails, and an iron buckle. 

 


Between the knees a buckle of bronze plated with silver, four bronze tags or rivets, and near them three little ornaments of silver. 


buckle of bronze plated with silver, four bronze tags or rivets

Near the left shoulder a spear-head.


 

Grave 38         To Bifrons Cemetery Introduction         Grave 40

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