Rare instance of Anglo-Saxon joint siblings’ burial proved by DNA test
DNA analysis has confirmed that two children buried together in an Anglo-Saxon grave in Cherington, Gloucestershire, were siblings. The older girl was positioned facing the younger boy, who was buried with a sword and she with a workbox, in what researchers describe as a rare and emotionally resonant burial arrangement. The discovery, made during 2024 excavations, suggests the children may have died from a fast-spreading infectious disease. The find offers rare insight into familial burial practices in early medieval England.
- ▪Ancient DNA testing conducted by the Francis Crick Institute confirmed the two children were brother and sister.
- ▪The burial site is part of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Gloucestershire that also contained a high-status 'princely burial'.
- ▪The joint burial is considered rare, as such practices were uncommon in Anglo-Saxon England.
- ▪Researchers believe the children likely died from a rapid infectious disease due to their simultaneous burial.
- ▪The excavation was carried out by Cotswold Archaeology in collaboration with Operation Nightingale, a program supporting injured military personnel.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
NewsUKHome NewsRare instance of Anglo-Saxon joint siblings’ burial proved by DNA testOlder girl was positioned facing the younger boy in a ‘poignant’ and ‘rare’ discoveryMaryam Zakir-Hussain Tuesday 28 April 2026 14:25 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2966216","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/anglo-saxon-burial-grave-siblings-dna-b2966216.html","title":"Rare instance of Anglo-Saxon joint siblings’ burial proved by DNA test"}}King and Queen attend garden party in Washington DC ahead of monarch's historic…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Independent.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from The Independent
