Anglo-Saxon artefact uncovered in Bamburgh dig

Anglo-Saxon artefact found in Bamburgh goes on display.

An intricately decorated copper bird mount, found during a dig last year at Bamburgh Castle is to go on display at the castle.

The castle, that was once the palace site of the early medieval kings of Northumbria, has found a decorated copper alloy bird mount, that archaeologists describe as 'a marvellous new find of national significance'.

The fragment is small, 23mm by 12mm, but decorated with an intricate image of a bird, characteristic of early medieval North European art.

The discovery was part of the Bamburgh Research Project’s summer excavation last year.

It has since been undergoing careful conservation to reveal the intricately decorated artefact.

Initial comments by experts suggest the bird mount is unique, with no direct parallels. It is likely to be 8th century in date.

Experts say the new image appears to resemble bird of prey motifs of the 6th and 7th centuries AD and could represent a descendant of these earlier styles.

Bamburgh Research Project Director, Graeme Young, said:

Francis Armstrong and his son Will, owners of Bamburgh Castle:

The bird will be on display at Bamburgh castle, open 10.00am to 5pm until 29 October