A Rare Glass Jewel Depicting the Crucifixion Found in an Abandoned Anglo-Saxon Village

Archaeological investigations ahead of the Sizewell C nuclear power station project in Suffolk have revealed a remarkable discovery: a rare medieval glass jewel depicting the Crucifixion, uncovered alongside evidence of an entire abandoned Anglo-Saxon village. The find adds a deeply human and spiritual dimension to one of the largest archaeological surveys ever conducted in eastern England.

The jewel, a translucent light-green oval measuring just under an inch in height, was discovered by a keen-eyed excavator working with Oxford Cotswold Archaeology. Despite its small size, the object carries immense historical value. Cast in relief glass, it shows Christ on the cross flanked by the Virgin Mary and St John, with the Greek inscription “IC XC” above, an abbreviation for Jesus Christ. This iconography reflects strong Byzantine influence, even though the jewel itself was manufactured in 13th-century Venice, a major hub of medieval glassmaking and international trade.

Experts believe the piece was created using a mould either imported from Byzantium or crafted under Eastern Christian artistic traditions. The back of the jewel is bevelled, suggesting it was once mounted as a pendant or devotional object. When worn, it would have appeared more subdued than its current luminous appearance under direct sunlight.

While more than 200 similar glass reliefs are known across Europe, most lack archaeological context, having entered museum collections centuries ago without precise findspots. This makes the Sizewell discovery especially valuable. A closely related red-glass example is held by the British Museum, though even that object has inconsistencies in its historical description, highlighting how much context can be lost without controlled excavation.

The jewel was found close to the ruins of Leiston Abbey, raising the possibility that it was dropped by a medieval visitor or pilgrim. Leiston Abbey, founded in 1363 for the Premonstratensian order, has a layered history that mirrors the changing landscape of the Suffolk coast. The canons originally settled nearer the sea but were forced inland due to repeated flooding and storm damage. Stones from the earlier, Norman-period site were reused in the new abbey, embedding centuries of history into its walls. Today, the abbey remains a site of quiet character, with its thatched Lady Chapel restored for worship in the 20th century.

Unlike common pilgrim badges of the medieval period, typically cast in cheap lead alloys and sold as souvenirs at holy sites, this glass jewel was a more personal devotional item. Pilgrim badges often depicted symbols associated with specific shrines, such as St Thomas Becket at Canterbury or St Werburga at Chester, and many examples have been recorded through the Portable Antiquities Scheme. The Sizewell jewel, however, was likely owned by someone of modest means but deep faith, reflecting private devotion rather than mass-produced pilgrimage culture.

Beyond the jewel itself, the Sizewell C excavations have uncovered traces of an entire Anglo-Saxon settlement, abandoned centuries before the medieval period. Suffolk is renowned for its rich archaeological heritage, from the royal burial ship at Sutton Hoo to Roman roads, medieval monasteries, and coastal trading sites. Its position along the North Sea made it a gateway for cultural exchange, invasion, and commerce, shaping its complex historical identity.

The discoveries at Sizewell demonstrate how modern infrastructure projects can, when carefully managed, unlock extraordinary insights into the past. As plans for the new power station progress, archaeologists continue to document and preserve finds that connect contemporary Britain with its deep and multifaceted history. The small green glass jewel, lost for centuries in Suffolk soil, now stands as a powerful symbol of faith, craftsmanship, and the enduring human presence beneath the modern landscape.

Cover Image Credit: Oxford Cotswold Archaeology.