Archaeologists, conducting excavations in Northumberland, have made a groundbreaking discovery – an Anglo-Saxon oven, believed to be the first of its kind ever found in the UK.

Unearthed alongside this significant find were unbaked loom weights, utilized in stretching thread for weaving.

The team also revealed a structure constructed with substantial posts, featuring well-preserved floors.

Dr. Jane Harrison, a community archaeologist, has emphasized the national importance of these findings. Located near Felton, the site has long attracted metal detectorists, yielding various objects over the years.

The recent excavation, the third consecutive annual effort, indicates that the site served as a crucial Anglo-Saxon hub, dating back to the same era as Ad Gefrin near Kirknewton, where King Edwin established his palace in the 7th Century.

The site likely functioned as a communal space where people engaged in various crafts, including cloth-making, and participated in the exchange of goods, the BBC reported.

Dr. Harrison expressed excitement at the prospect of hundreds of people visiting the site.

The excavation also unveiled artifacts from the Viking era in previous years, such as lead gaming pieces, suggesting later use by a faction of the Viking Great North Army.

Dr. Harrison emphasized the site’s immense historical significance spanning several centuries, underscoring the ongoing potential for further revelations.

The involvement of the local community in the excavation process has been notable, and plans are underway to continue the exploration, engaging the community even more extensively in future endeavors.

Written by B.C. Begley