Pieces of a 1,400-year-old Christian chalice have been found at a Roman fort - the oldest artefact of its kind ever found in Britain.
Fragments of the lead cup were found in the rubble of a 6th Century church at Vindolanda Roman Fort near Hexham.
Vindolanda's Director of Excavations Dr. Andrew Birtley said that it was the "wow factor" of rare finds.
The chalice pieces will be on display at the fort near Hadrian's Wall.
The pieces are inscribed with Christian symbols including angels and crosses, and extensive research would need to be carried out over the next few years to unlock their meaning.