A sensational early medieval archaeological discovery in northern England! A lost Anglo-Saxon estate centred on textile making and metal-working that, amazingly, also appears to have been used as a campsite for the Viking Great Army as they campaigned in Northumbria and Scotland has been uncovered in Northumberland. Prompted by the finds from responsible metal detectorists who reported their finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, a team of archaeologists, supported by community volunteers and metal detectorists, has been unearthing evidence of a remarkable early Anglo-Saxon estate centre with stunningly well preserved evidence for near-industrial levels of fabric weaving and metal-working dating back to the sixth-century AD, a sensationally early find for the region.

What’s more, the Anglo-Saxon estate, which appears to have continued into the Viking Age, is producing tantalising evidence – first noted by metal detectorists – that the site of the estate was used as a camp by a northern section of the infamous Viking Great Heathen Army, a scourge and destroyer of several Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and occupier of most of Northumbria.

The site, known as ‘Near Felton,’ is of tremendous importance, not only to our understanding of the early Anglo-Saxon period in the north of England, but also to the dimly understood activities of the Viking Great Army in northern Northumbria and the lands of what is today’s Scotland. Join Tom and Luke as they speak with archaeologists Jane Kershaw, Jane Harrison, Kathryn Murphy, and Lynn Amadio about their work with local volunteers and metal detectorists to unearth a site of international importance.

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