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Highdown Anglo-Saxon Glass Goblet

Contributed by Worthing Museum

Picture of the Highdown Goblet

As the crow flies the Goblet travelled 2500 miles from Eygpt but by sea and land it probably had a longer journey.In 1827 a group of workmen planting trees on the hill top of Highdown, north-west of Worthing, discovered part of a large and important Anglo-Saxon cemetery. The cemetery was used in the fifth and sixth centuries AD and was associated with a thriving settlement, the site of which has not been found. Both cremation and burial were practised and a range of items were used as grave goods, reflecting the different levels of wealth in the community. These include a unique and fragile Egyptian glass vase 'The Highdown Goblet', made in about 400BC. There were also items such as pottery, jewellery and weapons. The vase has a carved design of a dog chasing two hares and an inscription in Greek around the neck 'Use Me and Good Health to You'. The grave goods show that these people had contact with the Romans and they were probably among the first Saxons who settled in England when the Romans were preparing to withdraw in the early fifth century.

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  • 1. At 00:59 on 13 March 2010, Graham Orridge wrote:

    Beautiful object, Love the engraving. A little mistake though. Blowing was introduced to glass around 50 B.C. Worthington Museum put this 400 A.D themselves. That aside a worthy inclusion.

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