Rare instance of Anglo-Saxon joint siblings’ burial proved by DNA test
Ancient DNA analysis has revealed a rare example of two brothers buried together in an Anglo-Saxon grave.
The grave at Cherington, Gloucestershire, contained a young boy buried with a sword and an older girl buried with a study box.
Both children were placed next to each other, with the older girl facing the younger boy, in a deliberate composition that hinted at family bonding.
Double burial is a rare discovery in the Anglo-Saxon cemetery context because it was a relatively uncommon practice, according to Cotswold Archaeology, which discovered the grave. Researchers believe the joint burial indicates that they died from a fast-acting infectious disease.
Matt Nichol, lead archaeologist at the site, said: “Realizing that two recently buried children were actually brother and sister brings the human side of our Anglo-Saxon people much closer to home, more poignant in a way we so rarely experience.”
“The fact that the excavations were carried out in very rainy weather conditions makes the work even more valuable. Findings like this remind us of the importance of archeology in revealing our past and what makes the profession so fascinating.”
The discovery was made during excavations by Cotswold Archeology in 2024 and in collaboration with Operation Nightingale, a program that supports the recovery of wounded and injured military personnel through archaeological work.
DNA testing later conducted by the Francis Crick Institute proved that the two children were siblings.
Richard Osgood MBE, senior Ministry of Defense archaeologist and founder of Operation Nightingale, said: “I was fascinated to hear this incredible news; the results show how important scientific advances are for archaeology.”
“The study revealed a surprising, if tragic, family story.”
The children’s grave is located within an Anglo-Saxon cemetery that first attracted national attention following the discovery of the nationally significant ‘princely burial’, in which a child was interred with high-status grave goods including a sword, shield, knife and both silver and glass vessels.
This area had been brought into archaeological interest through previous metal detector finds and follow-up assessments; this showed that significant Anglo-Saxon remains survived in a fragile arable environment.
Given that some graves were located on rocky platforms and under extremely shallow topsoil (only 14 cm deep in one case), excavation was necessary both to uncover known remains and artworks and to reduce the risk of further deterioration or illegal removal.
