Rare glimpse of sixth-century Anglo-Saxon life found in New Forest

A small, perfectly preserved glass bowl dating from 1,400 years ago has been found among skeletons and spearheads at a newly discovered Anglo Saxon grave. The bowlwas inside a ceremonial bucket.In a Frankish style, it is likely to have come from Germany and was discovered during a dig at a sixth-century cemetery in the New Forest, Hampshire.

A small, perfectly preserved glass bowl dating from 1,400 years ago has been found among skeletons and spearheads at a newly discovered Anglo Saxon grave. The bowlwas inside a ceremonial bucket.In a Frankish style, it is likely to have come from Germany and was discovered during a dig at a sixth-century cemetery in the New Forest, Hampshire.

Margaret Brooks, of English Heritage, who made the find in one of her last days in the job, said: "I couldn't believe it when I first spotted the delicate green glass of the bowl. It was thrilling to tease it gradually from its hiding place in one piece and be able to hold it." The site was being dug by Tony Robinson, the TV presenter, and his "Time Team" from Channel 4 after an metal-detecting enthusiast found a Byzantine bucket near by.