You may remember the extraordinary story of how the remains of King Richard III were found and identified under a modern carpark. It’s now been announced that a tomb found behind a branch of the supermarket Aldi in 2003 has been identified as likely belonging to Seaxa, brother of Saebert, the Saxon king of Essex from 604 to 616 CE. Earlier suggestions that it was the tomb of Saebert himself were ruled out after carbon dating returned a range of 575 to 606 CE.
The burial is particularly important as it represents the transition from pagan to Christian practices. Seaxa was buried surrounded by precious objects in the pagan manner, leading to the burial being nicknamed “Britain’s Tutankhamen” but there was a Christian influence. Gold foil crosses were found and these likely were used to cover Seaxa’s eyes after death. It is the earliest Christian Anglo-Saxon high status burial yet found.
In Britain, it is a planning requirement that developers pay for an archaeological survey and excavation. That is how the “Amesbury Archer” was discovered however there are other circumstances. Richard III was discovered after a well-researched search (it did help that he was found under the “R” (for Rex, King in Latin) in Parking written on the ground!). In this case workmen doing roadworks came across the grave. In southern England there are two large organisations providing the archaeological expertise, Wessex Archaeology and Museum of London Archaeology (MoLA).
The prince was buried in a large wooden coffin which alone would have weighed 16OKg (350 lbs). That was inside a wood lined chamber around 13 ft square and surrounded by artifacts in the pagan manner. After burial, a mound was erected over the grave. The organic elements were badly degraded and some had to be reconstructed from soil impressions. Little apart from teeth enamel remained of the body.
Selected artifacts go on public display at the Central Museum in Southend, near to the site in Prittlewell on Saturday. MoLA and the museum have put together an interesting web site that not only shows the discoveries but also several of the techniques used to identify and reconstruct the finds.