A NEW exhibition showcasing relics from the Saxon King’s burial ground highlighted Southend’s “rich cultural heritage” when it opens yesterday.

The chamber, first discovered under Priory Crescent in 2003, has been described as the most significant Anglo Saxon discovery in the UK in recent memory.

The analysis of the 110 artefacts began in 2012 in a project funded by Southend Council and Historic England, and has seen more than 40 different archaeologists, carbon daters and scientific specialists work to maintain and restore them all.

The exhibition launches at Southend Central Museum with two books and an app, which will soon be available to download from the Museum of London Archaeology website.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is the display of some of the rarest and best-preserved artefacts, including a 1,400 year old painted wooden box, plus a set of sixth century dice, and other items from Syria, France and Sri Lanka.

Due to the delicate nature of some pieces, they are kept in constantly monitored temperatures, with humidity below 30 per cent.

The display is also on show from noon to 5pm today.

Ciara Phipps, from Southend Central Museum, said: “A lot of the museum has not aged well, and we wanted to create a new area with the Prittlewell Princely Burial that had a modern, more interactive feel.

“We have an interactive display, with one central exhibit, as well as an app that takes you in through the reconstruction of how the chamber was left. We wanted to make it interesting for children, we’ll also have a Roman helmet selfie area which we predict will be popular.

“It was essential for us to make an immersive area which will be a poignant and accessible place for people to see what was discovered. It was such a significant find that it needed to be special.”

She added: “I think it will be an important factor in driving home just how much rich cultural heritage Southend has.”

Visit www.mola.org.uk/prittlewell-finds-conservation-and-research.