Archaeologists have discovered an ancient seventh century church on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in the U.K.
According to Fox News, it could be linked to key figures in the history of British Christianity.
The satellite television news channel reports that the church may have been built as early as the mid-seventh century A.D., possibly around the year 650. The small rectangular building, where the church once stood, was apparently built just a few feet from a cliff edge.
The location is believed to be the cradle of Christianity in the North East, MailOnline reports, and it is where early Christian monks set out to convert the pagan population and share with them the Good News.
Richard Carlton of The Archaeological Practice and Newcastle University, who led the excavations, has told reporters that there are not many churches from the time period known in Northumbria, a medieval Anglian kingdom in what is now northern England and south-east Scotland.
“What is in favor of the argument for an early church is that on the ridge it would have been entirely visible from Bamburgh, the seat of political power at the time, and in turn would have had great views of Bamburgh,” Carlton said, according to Chronicle Live.
“It adds another chapter to the history of Holy Island.”
“It is incredible to think that we have uncovered two very significant buildings associated with the early Christian foundation of the priory that provide tangible links to both St. Aidan and St. Cuthbert,” Conservation Manager Sara Rushton told Fox News, referring to the early Christian monks.
The Independent noted that archaeologists have also found dozens of pieces of broken masonry at the site of the church’s remains, including crudely-worked window surrounds. The eastern end of the church could have been the base of the original altar installed there by St. Aidan, they added.
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