Remains of an Anglo
Saxon warrior, buried with his spear and a bronze-bound drinking cup,
after he was was discovered by modern soldiers on a rehabilitation
programme. Photograph: Ministry of Defence
An excavation on Salisbury plain has proved an unusually
emotional experience for the volunteer archaeologists, as soldiers
recovering from injuries received in Afghanistan have made a surprise
discovery: the remains of warriors who died more than 1,400 years ago.
Led by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and the Army, partners from Wessex Archaeology
were astonished by the haul. Operation Nightingale is an award-winning
project to give soldiers new skills and interests as part of their
rehabilitation. The excavation was expected to produce modest results
after earlier digs had turned up empty army ration packs and spent
ammunition. Instead, they revealed their ancient counterparts, including
an Anglo Saxon soldier buried with his spear and what must have been a
treasured possession, a small wooden drinking cup decorated with bronze
bands.