More than a decade ago, British archaeologists stumbled upon an astonishing discovery in Cambridgeshire— the remains of a 16-year-old Anglo-Saxon girl. Her burial in the village of Trumpington, between AD 650 and AD 680, included a striking gold and garnet cross. Thanks to recent scientific analysis of her skull, experts have now reconstructed her appearance before her untimely death. The reconstruction reveals a fair face with pale skin, a petite nose, strong cheekbones, and slightly asymmetrical eyes. Though little is known about the “Trumpington girl,” researchers believe she migrated from Germany to England as part of an early Christian group focused on spreading the teachings of Jesus.
The reconstructed image of the Trumpington girl, crafted by forensic artist Hew Morrison, will be showcased alongside artifacts from her burial, including the renowned gold and garnet cross, at an upcoming exhibition at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge. This exhibition aims to shed light on the rare and intriguing practice of “bed burials” during the early Anglo-Saxon period. The presence of the exquisite cross suggests that the Trumpington girl belonged to the aristocracy or even royalty.
The Trumpington bed burial, located in the village of Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, is a significant archaeological site. The skeletal remains of a 16-year-old girl were discovered in this burial ground, which dates back to the 7th century. What makes this site exceptional is the practice of burying the deceased individual on a bed. Alongside the cross, which combines gold and ornate garnets, the facial reconstruction will be on display at the University of Cambridge’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology starting on June 21. Created by Hew Morrison, the reconstruction is based on measurements of the girl’s skull and tissue depth data specific to Caucasian females. Although the exact eye and hair color cannot be determined without DNA analysis, further studies may provide more insight.
Isotopic analysis of the girl’s bones and teeth revealed that she migrated to England from a region near the Alps after the age of seven. Upon her arrival, her diet underwent a slight but significant change, indicating a shift in lifestyle. Whether this change had any relation to her cause of death remains unknown. The Trumpington burial site gained attention in 2012 after the archaeological unit at Cambridge conducted excavations in Trumpington Meadows. It is one of a small number of known Christian bed burials in the UK, a practice believed to be associated with high-status women during the early Anglo-Saxon era. The presence of the cross in her grave invites speculation about the girl’s potential role within the emerging Christian church.
The arrival of Christianity in Britain is often associated with St Augustine’s mission in 597 AD to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxon kings. However, Christianity had already made its way to the British Isles in the 1st century AD through Roman artisans and traders. At that time, Christianity was just one among many religious cults, but it stood out with its demand for exclusive loyalty. As a result, Roman authorities persecuted Christians, who were forced to gather and worship covertly. Nevertheless, Roman Emperor Constantine recognized the appeal of a single religion centered around a single God, and he saw Christianity as a unifying force for his empire. From 313 AD onwards, Christian worship was permitted within the Roman Empire.
By the 4th century, Christianity became more visible in Britain, although it was still a minority faith compared to prevalent pagan beliefs. Even with the arrival of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes after the Roman departure, Christianity managed to survive in the western regions of Britain. Missionary activities continued in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, with figures like Saint Columba introducing their unique Irish brand of Christianity to the British mainland. It can be argued that St Augustine’s mission in 597 AD solidified the future of Christianity in Britain by establishing an alliance between Christianity and the royal family of Kent.
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