In 2008 archeologists excavated an Anglo-Saxon burial ground with 229 graves at The Meads, Sittingbourne. More than 2,500 objects were discovered, including weapons from male burials and beads from female ones. It is a circular silver, bronze and wooden disk with seven holes in it: one in the centre and two groups by three holes positioned according two triangular patterns. In the same grave two shields and two spears were found. Burying two items with someone seems to be unusual practice, which may point to a high status of the grave. Finds manager of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust Andrew Richardson confessed: “We don’t currently recognise it, but it may be a decorative mount on something, but we don’t know what it’s mounted on.” The object was X-rayed, but to no avail. It is reported to be found near a sword, but this does not necessarily mean the two are associated with each other. What might have been the use and the purpose of the disk? Archeologists cannot solve this riddle, since no parallel is known. It is also possible that this is a one-off item, which will never be identified. Æscwine (aka John Wills) from Ða Engliscan Gesiðas (The English Companions) discussion group forum suggested the following solution: the disk could be a part of a belt pouch. The pouch was similar to the Sutton Hoo purse, with a “hard lid” and a soft bag behind. If the lid was made of a thin sheet of wood, covered with leather, the4 disk could be fitted to the front of the lid. The three holes might have thongs woven through them. Coming out through the centre hole, they served as a fastener. Three other holes were for the rivets fastening the disk to the lid.
What do you think about it? Help identify the mysterious Anglo-Saxon object from The Meads Anglo-Saxon grave or work out its function!
Photo: The Meads disk.
