Archaeologists working at site HS2 uncover the corpse of a 6th-century spear victim

Archaeologists uncovered around 140 graves, including a man aged 17 to 24 who was pierced with the iron spike. Other items from the 5th and 6th centuries included 89 brooches, 2,000 amber beads and 51 knives

A corpse with a spear stuck in its spine was among dozens of Anglo-Saxon remains found at an HS2 site.

Archaeologists uncovered around 140 graves, including a man aged 17 to 24 who was pierced with the iron spike.

Other items from the 5th and 6th centuries included 89 brooches, 2,000 amber beads, 51 knives, 40 buckles and 15 spearheads.

Toiletries such as earwax removers, toothpicks, tweezers, combs and even an eyeliner tube were also unearthed.

Most of the tombs contained rare items of high quality, suggesting the tombs were the final resting place of a prosperous community.

Television historian Dan Snow, who filmed the finds at Wendover, Bucks, for the History Hit streaming service, described the finds as breathtaking.

He added: “You can tell us more about how our predecessors lived, fought and finally died.

“It is one of the finest and most revealing post-Roman sites in the country. It was exciting to join the team in discovering the wonderful finds.”

Around 30 field archaeologists also found evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman activity.

Two cone-shaped glass wine cups are an indication that those now in the tombs had access to fine beverages imported from abroad.

A female body was found buried with a variety of high quality items including a fully decorated pale green glass bowl, copper alloy rings, a silver ring, brooches and ivory.

Experts say they will help paint a picture of what culture and society was like during the “undocumented” era.

Dan Snow explained: “Fifteen hundred years ago people in Britain stopped writing things. This time was dismissed as a dark age.

“But archeology has filled in the gaps. By studying the things left in the ground by our ancestors, we can get a full picture of a dynamic and vital time.”