Gift or trade?

The folding stool (above) is the first example known from England. [Enlarge photograph]

The objects found in the chamber (some of which are displayed here) are from a variety of countries. Of those examined so far, the most exotic are a flagon and a bowl, from the eastern Mediterranean. This does not necessarily represent direct trade links - some of the items could have been received as gifts.

The gold buckle is of continental style, but was probably made in Kent. Hanging bowls are generally thought to have been made in Ireland or in northern England. The decoration of the wooden drinking vessels is Scandinavian in style, although they were probably made in England. The glass vessels are also English, possibly from Kent.

The folding stool is probably from either Italy or modern Slovakia/Hungary. The fashion for placing gold crosses in graves is typical of northern Italy and south-west Germany/northern Switzerland, while the Gold coins are from Merovingian France.

Read on to find out what the objects found can tell us about who was buried in the grave, and to find out more about the objects themselves, including photographs and 3D reconstructions.