The Melbourn Radiate Brooch

Archaeologists discovered the radiate brooch in 2000, together with other artefacts, during a dig in an old orchard off Water Lane, now Chalkhill Barrow.

They were investigating the site before the developers moved in and as well as part of a round barrow with a total of eight pits containing urn and bone fragments from the late Neolithic/early Bronze Age period, about 2000 BC, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery was also unearthed. This consisted of 52 graves, many of which contained artefacts such as beads made of glass and terracotta, buckles, combs, knives, keys and a chatelaine, spindle whorls and several brooches. The most important brooches were the Melbourn Great Square Headed brooch and the Radiate brooch dating from around the 6th century.

The Melbourn Radiate Brooch is made from copper-alloy with applied silver leaf. Many were made this way, but more elaborate ones have been discovered, made from gold or silver and some inlaid with precious stones. The shape of Anglo-Saxon Radiate brooches differ from region to region, however, they can clearly be identified as having a semicircular head plate, often with knobs radiating out. The size of the brooches can vary from a few centimetres to 10cm. Over 130 variations of the Radiate brooch can be seen at the British Museum.

These brooches would have been worn by Anglo-Saxon noblewoman as jewellery on a tunic or dress at the waist or thigh or as a shoulder fastening on a woman’s cloak or mantle.

Although it is not clear from where the brooch originated, it’s possible they were produced by the Goths in southern Russia and found their way into western Europe as a result of migrations. The style was extensively copied by the Merovingian Franks. Following the discovery, the Melbourn History Group paid for the restoration of the Radiate brooch together with the Square Headed brooch, which can be seen on the front of the History book cover. We were also fortunate to able to have a mould taken from the Radiate Brooch from which we commissioned silver reproductions to be made, in order that people of Melbourn could own a piece of their history. For the Diamond Jubilee year, we had a number made, which carry the Jubilee Hallmark. There are a few still remaining costing £60 each. They make wonderful gifts. If you are interested please contact Colin Limming 260072.

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