next Image 1 of 2 prev Image 2 of 2 Archaeologists say an underground chamber discovered accidentally by road workers may be the site of the earliest Christian royal burial in Britain. The chamber was uncovered between a road and a railway line in the village of Prittlewell in 2003. It turned out to be a 1,400-year-old burial site containing items that were interred with whoever was buried there. The contents included a golden belt buckle, remnants of a harp, glassware and an elaborate water vessel. New details of archaeological findings were announced Thursday. Researchers say the luxury burial items indicate the chamber's occupant was of high standing, possibly a prince. Two gold-foil crosses at the head of the coffin suggest a Christian burial. Sophie Jackson, director of research and engagement at Museum of London Archaeology, called the discovery "our equivalent of Tutankhamun's tomb."<doc-sep>Written by Jack Guy, CNN Road-widening isn't normally the kind of thing to set pulses racing, but one such project in the UK uncovered a hugely significant archaeological site. Now research published Thursday sheds light on a collection of incredible artifacts discovered on a fateful dig in 2003. That day, workers unearthed an Anglo-Saxon princely burial chamber in Prittlewell, Essex, between a main road and a railway line, with an Aldi supermarket and the Saxon King pub just nearby. It's a somewhat incongruous location for what experts are calling one of the most significant Anglo-Saxon discoveries ever made in the UK. The haul includes previously unseen artifacts, according to Sue Hirst, Anglo-Saxon specialist at MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology), which led the project. The top of a wooden drinking bottle with decorated gold neck. Credit: MOLA "It was an astonishing sight to look down and see the metal artifacts hanging on the walls," she said, adding that it was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity. While it's impossible to confirm who is buried in the chamber, experts believe that it may be Seaxa, brother of the Christian King Saebert, after dating the chamber to the late 6th century. A reconstruction drawing of the Prittlewell princely burial chamber. Credit: MOLA The artifacts -- which are to go on display at Southend Central Museum on Saturday -- include a pristine gold buckle, a drinking horn and colored glass vessels, as well as a variety of weaponry. "What this burial tells us is that this someone of a very high status," said Hirst. "He's a big cheese." And evidence of wide-ranging international connections, such as the flagon from the eastern Mediterranean and a Byzantine or Eastern Roman spoon, has made experts re-evaluate the influence of the area's Anglo Saxon society. "What this says about the East Saxons is that they're prime players at this time," said Hirst. Gold crosses provide evidence of Christian faith. Credit: MOLA The chamber is thought to be the earliest dated Christian Anglo-Saxon princely burial in the UK -- a conclusion based on the discovery of two gold-foil crosses which are believed to have been placed over the eyes of the deceased. But the prince was also buried according to pre-Christian traditions, such as the mound, grave goods and chamber. Hirst believes that the research was so successful due to the preservation of the chamber after the roof collapsed, filling the space with earth from the burial mound and concealing it from above. Two rare blue glass decorated beakers were found intact. Credit: MOLA "Nothing had disturbed this burial," she said. This allowed a team of over 40 experts to use the latest scientific techniques in their study of the chamber. They were able to record the complete form of an Anglo-Saxon stringed instrument called a lyre for the first time, despite the fact that it had almost entirely decayed. Researchers managed to piece together its form from a soil stain and fragments of wood and metal fittings that were still in their original positions, even determining that the lyre had been split in half and later repaired before the burial.<doc-sep>It had been suggested the remains were those of Saebert, Saxon king of Essex from AD604 to AD616 but carbon dating and other tests have indicated the tomb was constructed between AD575 and AD605 - at least 11 years before his death.<doc-sep>A royal burial site found beneath a roadside verge in Essex has been dubbed one of the most significant archaeological finds ever made in England. Discovered between a pub and an Aldi supermarket, it is thought to be the burial chamber of the brother of Anglo-Saxon King Saebert. Researchers behind the find have hailed it as the 'British equivalent of Tutankhamun's tomb' - despite little similarities in appearance. Belying its unglamorous location, inside the chamber are 40 artefacts thought to have belonged to the ancient Essex prince Saexa. The Anglo-Saxons were Pagans, but the Christian items found in the chamber suggest the religion was still important in England 1,400 years ago. It is the earliest Christian Anglo-Saxon princely burial found in the UK, according to experts from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). Royal families emerged in Anglo-Saxon times in Kent, Essex and across south-east England. Saebert and Seaxa's mother was from the Kentish royal family, but their maternal aunt, Bertha, was a French princess who married into their royal family and brought her Christian beliefs with her. That may explain the gold crosses on the prince's eyes and the coins in the chamber, which are clearly Christian, while the very idea of a burial chamber is Pagan. The researchers say the site represents a 'transitional moment' in this country's history before Christianity took over. Scroll down for video It is thought to be the burial chamber of the brother of Anglo-Saxon King Saebert, Saexa, who died between 575AD and 605AD. Artist's impression of the chamber A royal burial site found beneath a roadside verge in Essex has been named one of the most significant archaeological finds ever made in England. Pictured: Conservator Claire Reed, inspecting the remains of a wooden drinking vessel with a decorated gold neck found inside Experts are fascinated by this time in English history as Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were emerging, with separate royal families in different parts of the country. The name Essex comes from the East Saxon families which ruled over this part of England. Just like Tutankhamun's famous tomb in Egypt, it is completely intact, with looters and 19th Century amateur archaeologists having been unable to find it as the mound on top of it collapsed. Sophie Jackson, director of research for MOLA, which was involved in studying the chamber, said: 'This is one of the most significant archaeological finds ever seen in England. 'It is the British equivalent of Tutankhamun's tomb as everything in it is just as it was left 1,400 years ago. 'It was found on an unpromising site, which is just really a grass verge, but this is an aristocratic burial site and the artefacts provide a great insight into religious life at the time.' Despite its unglamorous location, inside the chamber are 40 artefacts thought to have belonged to the ancient Essex prince Saexa. Pictured: Conservator Claire Reed, inspecting a decorated blue glass beaker which was discovered in the burial chamber The chamber discovered the Essex town of Prittlewell contains nothing of the prince thought to be buried there except some enamel fragments from his teeth. Pictured: Remains of the only surviving example of painted Anglo-Saxon woodwork in Britain The Anglo-Saxons were Pagans, but the Christian items found in the chamber suggest the religion was still important in England 1,400 years ago. Pictured: A gold belt buckle discovered in the burial chamber WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE BURIAL SITE? The Essex site is the earliest Anglo-Saxon royal burial chamber found in England. First thought to hold Anglo-Saxon King Saebert, it is now believed it could be the resting place of his brother, Prince Saexa. Just like Tutankhamun's tomb, the chamber was found completely intact, as it would have looked when the prince was buried 1,400 years ago. Gold crosses covering the body's eyes and on the coins in its hands show this was a Christian burial, but Anglo-Saxons at this early date were famously Pagans. For the first time, this suggests Christianity was important in southern England before the arrival of Augustine from Italy, who came to convert us. The chamber would have taken up to 25 men almost five days to build, using the wood from 13 oak trees. So much effort indicates a royal was buried inside, with 40 artefacts to take with him to the afterlife. Radiocarbon dating of a horn drinking cup and minted coins show the prince was probably buried between 580 and 605AD. Advertisement The chamber discovered the Essex town of Prittlewell contains nothing of the prince thought to be buried there except some enamel fragments from his teeth, which show he was older than six. But two gold foil crosses, thought to have been placed over his eyes, a gold belt buckle and shoe buckles suggest he was a man or teenager around five feet eight inches tall. The burial site was found by archaeologists in 2003 before the road it lies on was widened. Experts have spent 15 year excavating the chamber - which MOLA says took 113 working days to build and involved a huge investment in skilled labour and materials - to recreate what it may have looked like inside. Its age is now known for the first time, based on radiocarbon dating of a drinking horn in the chamber and coins buried with the body which bear the name of the mint in France they come from and were only produced after 580AD. The date of the chamber, now known to be between 580AD and 605AD, rules out that it contained King Saebert, as previously thought. Experts now believe his brother, Prince Saexa, was the one given such a grand send-off. Experts are fascinated by this time in English history as Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were emerging, with separate royal families in different parts of the country. Pictured: Conservator Claire Reed, inspecting decorated blue and green glass beakers discovered in the chamber The name Essex comes from the East Saxon families which ruled over this part of England. Researchers behind the find have hailed it as the 'British equivalent of Tutankhamun's tomb' - despite little similarities in appearance.<doc-sep>
Archaeologists have recreated in painstaking detail what they called the UK’s answer to Tutankhamun’s tomb – a royal burial site dating back to Anglo-Saxon times discovered by the side of a road in Essex. They believe the burial chamber, unearthed near a pub and an Aldi supermarket, may have held the remains of Seaxa, brother of King Saebert. Scientists have spent 15 years excavating the site in Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea. They have pieced together artefacts, some of which are 1,400 years old, to build a new picture of how the chamber looked when it was first created. Newly analysed objects suggest the tomb is older than previously thought, ruling out a previous hypothesis that it housed the deceased king himself. Researchers at the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) estimated the structure took 113 working days to build, representing “a huge investment in skilled labour, as well as materials”. 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures A reconstruction of the burial chamber believed to be that of Seaxa, brother of King Saebert, who died between 575AD and 605AD PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures The only surviving example of painted Anglo-Saxon woodwork in Britain, found at the burial site in Prittlewell, Essex PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures Gold coins discovered in the burial chamber at Prittlewell, Essex PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures A gold belt buckle discovered in the burial chamber at Prittlewell, Essex PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures Conservator Claire Reed inspects the remains of a wooden drinking vessel found in the burial chamber at Prittlewell, Essex PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures Conservator Claire Reed inspects decorated blue and green glass beakers that were discovered in the burial chamber at Prittlewell, Essex PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures Archaeologists excavate the burial chamber in Prittlewell, Essex PA 'British version of Tutankhamun’s tomb' found in Essex - in pictures The royal burial site at a roadside in Prittlewell, Essex PA The site was the earliest Christian Anglo-Saxon princely burial found in the UK, said research director, Sophie Jackson. She added: “I think it’s our equivalent of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Getting an intact version of this and seeing how everything is positioned and what he’s got with him. I think the thing that’s so strange about it is that it was such an unpromising-looking site. It’s between a bit of railway and a bit of road, essentially a verge. It’s not where you’d expect to find it.” A reconstruction drawing of the Prittlewell princely burial chamber based on years of research (Museum of London Archaeology) Work began on the site in 2003, and among the items discovered were a painted box, drinking horns and a flagon originating from the Byzantine empire, as well as gold foil crosses, suggesting the dead male had converted to Christianity. The box is the only surviving example of painted Anglo-Saxon woodwork in Britain. The male, believed to have been at least adolescent in age, would have stood about 5ft 8in when he died around the year 580, researchers said. Missionaries sent by Pope Gregory I to convert the Anglo-Saxons only landed in Kent in 597. Saebert died in about 616, meaning the tomb cannot be his. Experts used organic material from drinking horns found inside for radio-carbon dating. A team of 40 worked on the project, funded by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and Historic England. The find and subsequent research has helped “transform our understanding of [Anglo-Saxons’] early history”, Professor Simon Keynes of Trinity College, Cambridge, told The Independent. “Prittlewell was from the moment of its discovery in 2003 seen to be something very special, which would do for the East Saxons what Sutton Hoo has been doing since 1939 for the East Angles: cast new light on the elite, as shown by their burial customs, during the period of their conversion to Christianity in the late sixth and early seventh centuries,” he said.