Finds from a top-secret Anglo-Saxon cemetery in East Kent, including a complete sixth century sword with silver-gilt hilt fittings, will go on display at Folkestone Museum in July 2026. This sword was featured on Digging for Britain last year. It is one of the finest Anglo-Saxon swords ever found in the UK.
The remarkable cemetery the sword came from is evidence of the riches and influence of early Anglo-Saxon Kent. Kent was its own kingdom until the 9th century. The exhibition will explore the Kingdom of Kent, its connections to Europe, and how cutting-edge archaeology is revealing the stories of people from the past.
Folkestone Museum is producing the exhibition in partnership with the cemetery’s landowner and the team behind the excavation. The excavation is led by Professor Duncan Sayer and the University of Lancashire, with Dr Andrew Richardson and conservator Dana Goodburn-Brown. The exhibition opens on the 4th of July and closes on the 30th of September.
Digging for Britain returns to the site on Wednesday 21st January at 9PM. The programme is also available on BBC iPlayer.
Also released today, Professor Duncan Sayer talks about early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries and swords on the University of Lancashire’s ‘The archaeology of’ podcast. Hear more about his pioneering work in ‘The Archaeology of… Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries’.
Listen to ‘The Archaeology of… Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries’ podcast.