E X T E N S I O N ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 1 In England there aren t many AngloSaxon remains2 because the invaders, particularly the Vikings (800-950), destroyed most of the Saxon buildings that were made of wood3. The only buildings the Anglo-Saxons built in stone4 were monasteries, churches and, in the north, the stone crosses5. Some important archaeological sites that helped historians to understand about Anglo-Saxon history are: Ruthwell (south-west Scotland). In a small church stands the Ruthwell Cross, Anglo-Saxon helmet an Anglo-Saxon cross made between the 7th and the 8th century and restored6 in 1818. The cross is important because it reproduces inscriptions in both Latin letters and AngloSaxon runes. Sutton Hoo (Suffolk). In 1939 archaeologists found a Saxon ship from the early 7 th century. It contained a lot of gold and silver goods7 and precious weapons. Lincoln (Lincolnshire). In 2003 archaeologists discovered the remains of a very tall woman, buried8 with a shield and knife. She was named Xena, and was not a noble woman, but only a warrior, because there were no jewels near her. The body and objects date back9 to AD 500600. Priory Crescent (Essex). In 2003 an archaeological excavation found a 7th century grave10 that is perhaps the most spectacular discovery of its kind made during the past 50 years. The grave is probably that of an Anglo-Saxon King of Essex. 1. site: a place where something was built. 2. remains: the parts of ancient buildings that have survived. 3. wood: the hard substance which forms trees. 4. stone: the hard solid substance found in the ground which is often used for building. 5. 6. 7. 8. cross: Christian symbol. restored: reconstructed. goods: products. buried: a dead body when is put into the ground. 9. date back: go back, trace back. 11. grave: tomb. 14