Anglo-Saxon ‘Ritual Killing’ of Jewelry Unearthed in England
A remarkable discovery in rural England has shed light on the complex beliefs and turbulent times of seventh-century Anglo-Saxons. Metal detectorists uncovered a collection of gold and garnet pendants that archaeologists believe may have been deliberately hidden – or even “killed” – in a ritual act approximately 1,400 years ago.
The find, consisting of four gold pendants and a fragment of a gold brooch, was made in the spring of 2023 on a hillside near the village of Donington on Bain, roughly 125 miles north of London. The detectorists responsibly reported their discovery through the U.K.’s Portable Antiquities Scheme, initiating a detailed study by archaeologist Lisa Brundle, the finds liaison officer for Lincolnshire county. Brundle published her findings on November 24 in the Oxford Journal of Archaeology, noting that “the pendants, as a cohesive necklace set, are unusual.”
While gold-and-garnet pendants were common adornments for high-status women during this period, their discovery in isolation, rather than within a burial site, immediately raised questions. According to Brundle’s analysis, the pendants exhibited signs of wear, damage, and even modification, suggesting they were not newly crafted items but rather “antiques” – at least 60 years old – at the time of their deposition. The absence of other artifacts or human remains further supports the theory that the pendants were intentionally collected and buried for a specific purpose.
The heaviest pendant, D-shaped and weighing approximately 0.2 ounces (6.7 grams), features a large garnet set within a scallop-shaped gold cell. Brundle highlights the symbolic importance of the scallop shape, associating it with fertility and potential Christian influences. The remaining accessories were circular, adorned with star and beaded motifs; three were pendants, while the fourth was a dome-shaped brooch component that had been carefully removed for reuse – a practice Brundle notes is exceptionally rare, with only a dozen or so comparable examples known.
The collection’s configuration challenges conventional understanding. Brundle determined the pendants were unlikely to have formed part of a complete necklace, as no beads or spacers were found alongside them. This led her to explore alternative explanations, including the possibility of a goldsmith’s hoard. During the seventh century, garnet supplies were dwindling, and an itinerant goldsmith may have gathered older jewels to repurpose into new designs. However, the source of these antique jewels remains open to debate, as grave robbing was a known practice.
A particularly compelling interpretation suggests a deliberate act of “ritual killing.” Removing the pendants from circulation could have symbolically transformed these powerful emblems of elite status into something new, disconnected from their original owners. Alternatively, Brundle suggests the assemblage could represent the treasured possessions of a family or social group, concealed during a period of instability.
The late sixth and seventh centuries witnessed significant social and political upheaval in England with the rise of Christianity and the fragmentation of the island into various kingdoms. The Donington hoard was discovered in Lindsey, a region that experienced shifting allegiances between the kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia. This instability may have prompted individuals to safeguard their valuables.
Further archaeological investigation in the Donington area could provide crucial insights into the site’s purpose and significance, potentially illuminating the broader social and political landscape of seventh-century England. The Lincoln Museum acquired the collection in 2025, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future study and public appreciation.
