Druid Found in Essex!
A gravel pit in Stanway near Colchester in Essex might not sound like the place for
the most significant archaeological finding for Druidry but it is. In this humble gravel
pit a series of graves were found dating from 40-60 BC. One of the graves contains
the cremated remains of what might be the only formal burial of a Druid found in the
UK. Among the grave goods were a set of divining rods, a copper saucepan and
copper strainer, a fancy (for the time) imported pottery service, a set of surgical
implements, a jet bead, an ornate brooch and a cloak.
In the pottery, traces of Mugwort (Artemisia) were found and its pollen was
found in the strainer indicating the use of herbs for either divination or healing. The
surgical implements included scalpels, forceps and a surgical saw. Unfortunately, the
archaeologists haven’t released the original colour of the robe, so the jury is out as to
whether it was white or multi-coloured.
Most fascinating of all was a board game also found in the grave. The board
was made of wood with metal hinges and the edges were raised indicating that
perhaps dice were used. 13 white glass counters and 13 blue ones were obviously
placed with great care on the board but no one now knows what the board was for,
perhaps it was a favoured game of the deceased or maybe it was also a divination
instrument.
Because of the status of the burial and the location, the archaeologists
speculate that the ‘Druid’ was a relative of Cunobelin, the chief of the Catuvellauni
tribe. It is interesting to speculate that this person was alive at the time the Emperor
Claudius invaded Britain. He would have seen the Roman Army enter Camulodunum
(the Roman version of Colchester) and probably would have known the sons of
Cunobelin, Togodumnus and Caractacus.
So this could be the first direct evidence of the status and role of the ancient
Druid, the associations with magic and healing not being dissimilar to our own current
incarnation.