Saxon Sarcophagus Found at Lincoln Castle

News July 1, 2013

(Courtesy Lincolnshire County Council)
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(Courtesy Lincolnshire County Council)

LINCOLN, ENGLAND—A limestone sarcophagus thought to date to A.D. 900 has been discovered in a Saxon churchyard at Lincoln Castle. At this time, archaeologists can see the side of the coffin; its lid is still covered by approximately nine feet of earth. Endoscopy has shown that the person had been buried with gold objects. “We think it’s somebody terribly important, possibly a bishop or a Saxon king,” said spokesperson Mary Powell. Archaeologists are very concerned that opening the rare Saxon sarcophagus could cause its contents to disintegrate. They are hoping that the lid with be engraved with information about the identity of the occupant. 

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