In 2018, during excavations carried out by the University of Sheffield in Scremby, Lincolnshire, an enamelled copper alloy chalice was discovered in a female grave dating from the 6th century AD. This object, known as the Scremby Chalice, stands out as a unique piece due to its antiquity, Roman origin, and its inclusion in an Anglo-Saxon funerary context.
A study published in the European Journal of Archaeology explores how this chalice survived three centuries after its manufacture, its symbolism in the burial, and the possible uses it may have had in both eras.
The grave where the chalice was found was part of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery composed of 49 burials. However, this particular grave, belonging to a young woman (designated Sk18), attracted attention due to the scarcity of grave goods compared to other burials at the site. The only items found, besides the chalice, were two simple circular brooches and a pair of bracelets.
The chalice, placed next to the deceased’s head, was intact and fully functional at the time of burial. This distinguishes it from other Roman artifacts found in Anglo-Saxon contexts, which are often fragments or pieces reused as scrap. According to researchers, this suggests a possible ceremonial or ritual function in the burial.
The chalice measures 57 mm in height and has an approximate capacity of 280 ml. Its slightly convex body is decorated with vertical panels of embedded motifs, which were filled with colored enamels such as blue, red, and aquamarine. This vertical arrangement is unusual compared to other Roman enamelled vessels, which typically feature horizontal decorations.
The chalice’s base, made from a thin sheet of metal, was soldered to the main body with lead. Technical analyses revealed that the chalice was crafted using the lost-wax technique, a common practice in Roman metallurgy that allowed for precise detailing without visible casting lines.
Although its exact origin remains a subject of debate, researchers suggest that the chalice may have been manufactured in the third century AD, possibly in the region of France, given that it shares stylistic similarities with other objects found in that country. However, its chemical composition and design are also consistent with Roman metallurgical practices in Britain.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the chalice is the analysis of organic residues found inside it. During the excavation, lipid residues were discovered and subjected to chemical analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The results indicated the presence of animal fats, specifically of porcine origin.
Although it was initially thought that the chalice may have contained food, the researchers found no markers indicating that the lipids had been subjected to heat, as would be the case in cooking. This suggests that the contents may have been raw fat, raising the possibility of medicinal or ritual use. Byzantine medical texts from the sixth century mention the use of pig fat to treat infections and wounds, providing a potential context for interpreting this finding.
The discovery of the Scremby Chalice raises questions about how Roman objects were reused and reinterpreted by Anglo-Saxon communities. The inclusion of Roman material in Anglo-Saxon burials is not uncommon, but it is typically limited to fragments or pieces reused as adornments or talismans. In this case, the chalice retains its original form and function, suggesting a special use.
Researchers explore two main hypotheses about how the chalice arrived in this context. The first suggests that it may have been recovered from an earlier Roman burial, a phenomenon documented in other archaeological finds. The second, although less common, proposes that the chalice may have been carefully preserved for generations as a kind of relic or family heirloom.
In both cases, the object would have acquired significant symbolic value. Its antiquity and rarity may have endowed it with an aura of power or mysticism in the Anglo-Saxon context, marking the young woman buried as someone special within her community.
SOURCES
Willmott H, Thompson L, Lundy J, Crichton-Turley C-E., From Roman Table to Anglo-Saxon Grave: An Archaeological Biography of the Scremby Cup. European Journal of Archaeology. 2024;27(4):507-525. doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2024.12
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