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The Harpole Treasure is an Anglo-Saxon burial treasure uncovered during an excavation in Harpole, Northamptonshire in April 2022. The burial site is considered by the lead archaeologist to be "the most significant ever discovered in the UK. The 7th gold and garnet necklace is considered to be the richest necklace of its type ever uncovered in BritainLevente Bence Balázs. The finds include a 7th century necklace made of gold, garnet and semi-precious stones, a large silver cross, two decorated pots and a copper dish.

Description
Researchers from the Museum of London Archaeology discovered a high-status female Anglo-Saxon gravesite during an exavation in April while excavating a site planned for a new housing development. A woman, buried between 630 AD and 670 AD was uncovered lying in a bed along with a intricately crafted necklace made up of 30 pendants,gold, Roman coins, garnets, glass and semi-precious stones.

Also uncovered was a large, engraved silver cross mounted on wood. The piece also had the image of human faces cast in silver.

"Organic matter found in the grave is thought to contain fragments of feathers and textiles like leather, and further study should uncover the nature of the bed burial and whether it had a cover or canopy. The two pots were Frankish in style, Blackmore said, suggesting they came from what is now France or Belgium. The archaeologists hope molecular analysis will allow them to identify the residue in the pots; to date, their analysis has ruled out myrrh. The skeleton itself was fully decomposed, with the exception of tiny fragments of tooth enamel, but the necklace and other features of the burial convinced the archaeologists that its occupant was female, Blackmore said. Opulent gold riches"

"The jewellery, found near Northampton, has at least 30 pendants and beads made of Roman coins, gold, garnets, glass and semi-precious stones. The 1,300-year-old object was spotted in a grave thought to be of a woman of high status, such as royalty." The rectangular pendant with a cross motif forms the centrepiece of the necklace and is the largest and most intricate element. Made of red garnets set in gold, Mola specialists believe it was originally half of a hinged clasp before it was re-used." Experts said the skeleton had fully decomposed apart from tiny fragments of tooth enamel. However, the combination of grave finds suggested it was of a very devout high-status woman such as an abbess, royalty, or perhaps both.