UK Ninth-century gravestone from pagan Danelaw region found in Surrey garage

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Anglo-Saxon gravestone is found in garage behind cardboard boxes and gardening tools. (Daily Mail)
An old lawnmower, a couple of rusty bikes... and a gravestone from the time of Alfred the Great?

It's not exactly what you'd expect to find in a garage clear-out.

But this extremely rare ninth-century relic was what auctioneers stumbled upon to their astonishment while they were valuing items at a house in Surrey.

The 3ft tall slab once stood on the grave of a 9th-century Anglo-Saxon Christian, despite the area being ruled by pagan Viking invaders at the time.

It was originally found over 100 years ago during road construction at Little Eaton, near Derby, which was part of the 'Danelaw' region when it was under the control of the Danes.

The 1,100-year-old stone is carved with Christian symbols, including an early Christian Celtic-form cross enclosed by a halo, with a panel of geometric carving below.
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The ancient relic will be sold by auctioneers Duke's of Dorchester, where it is expected to fetch £5,000.

The rectangular marker has a rounded top carved with an early Christian Celtic-form cross enclosed by a halo, with a panel of geometric carving below.
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