NHER 5860 (Monument record) - Early Saxon inhumation, London Road Cemetery

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Summary

Between 1929 an 1933 a skeleton and associated finds were recovered while grave digging at London Road Cemetery. The finds have been identified as a shield boss, a spearhead, and six irons which may have been shield supports or coffin irons, all dated to the late 6th or early 7th century. The burial was located only a few metres from the site of the Church of St Margaret (NHER 5908) and may be associated with the churchyard. Additional burials and possible Saxon finds recorded a short distance to the east during an 1855 excavation of a barrow (NHER 5828) may also be associated.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TL88SE
Civil Parish THETFORD, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

1929-33. Casual Find.
A skeleton and associated finds were recovered while grave digging in the modern cemetery located on the southeast side of St Mary's Church. The skeleton was encountered about 1.2m (4ft) down and was orientated with the head to the south. It was associated with a shield boss, a spearhead and six irons which may have been shield supports or coffin irons. The objects have been dated to the late 6th century/early 7th century. The burial was located only a few metres from the site of the church of St Margaret (NHER 5908) and may be associated with the churchyard. Additional burials and possible Saxon finds recorded a short distance east of these finds during the excavation of a barrow (NHER 5828) may also be associated.
Finds held by Thetford Museum.
Information from (S1) and (S2).
R. R. Clarke (NCM).
Updated H. Hamilton (NLA), 25 July 2008.

The burial was found on plot D, between the graves of Reynolds and H. Betts.
See drawings in file.
E. Rose (NAU).

  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Late Saxon. Thetford.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 88 SE 28 [2]; TL 88 SE 30 [2].
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Article in Serial: Clarke, R. R. 1940. Norfolk in the Dark Ages, 400-800 A.D., Part II. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXVII Pt II pp 215-249. p 240; Pl 14 top.
  • <S2> Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • COFFIN FITTING (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SHIELD BOSS (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SPEARHEAD (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Jul 6 2016 12:07PM

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