EXCLUSIVE

By Hayley Robinson

People will be able to marvel at archeological treasures found at a Sittingbourne building site for at least another year.

The display of precious Anglo-Saxon artefacts, which were unearthed at The Meads in 2008, have been on display at an empty unit at The Forum since September 2009.

A separate science lab operates in another unit opposite the display so shoppers can see volunteers working to conserve the 1,400-year-old artefacts.

Tesco, which owns the shopping centre, agreed to provide the two units free of charge until September this year, but thanks to Peter Morgan, chairman of Sittingbourne Heritage Museum, the company has agreed to provide the units free of charge until September 2011.

Mr Morgan said: "I wrote to them at the end of August explaining that the job was half done as 2,500 objects were recovered from the graves and we've only just got through over 1,000. They're still cleaning swords, spears and jewellery.

"Over 16,000 people have been through the doors since the display opened.

"They wrote back in September and gave us a year's extension. The rent is free, they're not charging us the service charge which covers security and cleaning, or the legal fees to renew the lease so we're really pleased.

"It's quite an achievement when they're such a big company, and if the work isn't finished by then I will try again."

The project is a joint initiative with Canterbury Archeological Trust, which carried out the dig, Ancient Materials Technology and Conservation, and Sittingbourne Heritage Museum.

Kent County Council commissioned Archaeology South East to carry out the dig at The Meads before work started on the Sittingbourne Northern Relief Road.

More than 2,500 precious objects including jewellery, shields, swords, spears, and pottery were unearthed at the Anglo-Saxon burial ground which had 229 graves.