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Rare Anglo-Saxon artefacts once worn and treasured by nobles between 501 and 600 AD have been unearthed during the excavation of a housing site in Cambridge .

Oxford Archaeology East uncovered the Ango-Saxon village on the corner of Hatherdene Close and Coldham's Lane on behalf of archaeology specialists, CgMs and housebuilder Weston Homes.

The findings include precious jewellery such as fine brooches, multi-coloured glass and amber beads, rings and hairpins dating back to the sixth century AD, as well as remnants of an original village-style settlement.

Utilitarian tools such as small knives and weaponry were also among the findings on the site which provides a fascinating insight into the lifestyle and clothing of the ancient Anglo-Saxon era.

(Image: David Johnson)

Complete pottery vessels were also found on the land, which is earmarked for 60 homes, including a stunning rare glass beaker known as a claw beaker due to the claw-like decorations around the stem.

These elaborate drinking vessels are normally found further south east such as in Kent, northern France, the Netherlands and Germany, where they were probably produced.

Duncan Hawkins, Head of Archaeology and Build Heritage for CgMs, said: “Evidence of the time period 5th to 7th century AD is almost non-existent so this gives us a highly important window into understanding how people lived in that era, their trade activities and behaviours.

"The academic value of this collection is therefore immeasurable. The site fell out of use in the 7th century but we discovered evidence of 8th century Middle Saxon activity including post-built structures, possibly workshops and livestock pens.

"Pits dug in this attest to local industrial activity and further processing of soil samples should help us understand what these were used for."

The excavation even turned up some Roman treasures, pre-dating the Anglo-Saxon era, including plates and a complex of Late Iron Age and Roman ditches defining a field system and an early Roman Pottery Kiln.

The site lies is on the western edge of the Middle Saxon settlement around Church End, and which formed the 9th to 10th century manor.

(Image: David Johnson)

By 1086 it had become known as Hintona in Domesday Book.

When Weston Homes applied for planning permission for the site test trenches were dug as a matter of course and the area identified as one which required further investigation.

The site has now been cleared and the findings recorded and the artefacts will be housed in local museums.

Once completed the new development will provide a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom family homes.

Bob Weston, chairman of Weston Homes, added: “The excavations show that there has been a residential settlement on this site dating back to the Roman era.

"The Anglo-Saxon artefacts are of strong historical importance, so we are taking all measures to ensure that they are being carefully preserved and recorded. Only once this work is complete will our new housing scheme be implemented.

“This will be a chance for homebuyers to feel part of a piece of Britain’s ancient history on a very special site."

For further information on Weston Homes contact Tel 01279 873333 or visit weston-homes.com.