A RARE Anglo-Saxon gravestone originating from Little Eaton and dating back more than 1,000 years has been discovered.
The stone, which comes from the time of Alfred the Great, was found in the garage of a house in Surrey.
It was originally discovered during road building in the early 20th century at Little Eaton.
The gravestone is now being put up for auction with fine-art auctioneers Duke's of Dorchester.
John Holmes, from Duke's, who was called to the house, said: "Our valuer spotted the grave marker at the back of the garage, partially obscured by cardboard boxes and garden tools.
"The owner of the stone purchased it at auction some time ago and had almost forgotten about it until Duke's expert visited the house on a routine valuation."
To the untrained eye, the slab of Derbyshire stone, which is about 32 inches high, appears to be nothing special.
But a closer look allowed experts to identify the object as an Anglo-Saxon grave marker, which probably dates from the time of Alfred the Great, who reigned between AD 871 to AD 899.
The marker has a Christian Celtic-form cross enclosed by a halo, with a panel of geometric carving below.
A spokesman for Duke's said: "This grave marker actually comes from an area of the country known as the Danelaw because it was under the influence of the Danes and their laws held sway.
"The area was defined in a treaty following the defeat of the Danish warlord, Guthrum, in a battle with King Alfred at Edington in AD 878."
Historical experts from Buxton Museum in Derbyshire have confirmed that the grave marker dates from the 9th century.
Amateur archaeologist John Forde, of Mickleover, said the find was "fantastic" proof of the importance Derbyshire has in history.
He said: "It looks to me like the grave marker of someone quite important, maybe a leader or religious leader.
"It's the design on it; regular folk like you or me tended not to get such decorative stones.
"Derbyshire is well known for its connection with the Vikings.
"Repton was a place they wintered and it doesn't surprise me that things like this are being found.
"There must be so much buried in the earth locally."
The rare antiquity will be sold by Duke's in their auction at the Dorchester Fine Art Salerooms next Thursday, August 1, when it is expected to attract global interest from museums and private collectors.
