NHER 3781 (Monument record) - Early Saxon cremation cemetery

Large Early Saxon cremation cemetery with Roman material.

1857.
Cemetery first discovered when between 20 and 30 urns were found containing cremated human bones.

1877.
Four urns found.

1891.
Excavation; 50 urns were found, with copper alloy cruciform brooches, iron knives, copper alloy needles, glass beads, bone gaming pieces and other Early Saxon and late Roman finds.
See published article (S1) for futher details.
Finds recovered as this site during the late 19th century are now held by a number of museums, including the Norwich Castle Museum. An urn with cremated bones, red and green fused beads and a cruciform brooch fragment are known to be part of The Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle Upon Tyne's archaeological collection. These objects are noted in several of the society's publications, including (S5) (where they are mistakenly recorded as being from Castle Rising) and were amongst material held at the Black Gate during the time it was a operated as a museum. See sketch of brooch (S3), which is now apparently in the "Newcastle University Museum" (presumably along with the other finds from Castle Acre).

1961. Field Observation and Excavation.
Ploughing revealed many sherds of an Anglo-Saxon cremation-urns, fragments of grave-goods and cremated bone from the Castle Acre cemetery.
Subsequent excavation of Westacre section by Norfolk Research Committee revealed over 20 urn-cremations, some with grave-goods. There were at least two urns which were in cists, it was noted that a few of the cremation pots were sub-Roman in type. Cremated bones were also recovered.
Remains of two iron brooches of NW. German type have been recently recognized amongst the material obtained from this cemetery in the 19th century (NCM).
See (S2) for short summary.
M. Langham-Lopez (HES), 25 February 2013.


1980.
Surface find of iron shield boss.

1985.
Fieldwalking produced Early Saxon, Roman, medieval and post medieval pottery.

1989. Metal detecting.
Early Saxon and medieval pottery and Early Saxon brooches.

1990.
Found with metal detecting.
Early Saxon brooches (S4) and spearhead, Roman and Late Saxon metalwork

1991 or before.
Early Saxon pin and escutcheon.

1992. Metal detecting finds.
Early Saxon metalwork, Roman brooch and coins, bulla.

1994. Found with metald etecting.
Early Saxon metalwork.

1994/1996.
Flint blade, Early Saxon sherds, Early Saxon brooches.
Roman coin. medieval and post medieval metal finds.

1997/1998.
Early Saxon brooch, medieval harness pendant and vessel.
Metalworking debris.

1998.
Early Saxon sherds, see record under NHER 33682.

Full description, drawings and details in file.
Bibliography in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 1 June 1999.