Monument record 9192/1 - Saxon cemetery, Whitehall Farm

Archaeological investigation has identified a Saxon cemetery of two likely phases; the first dating to the 5th century AD and the second to the late 6th to early 7th century AD.

{1} Geophysical survey identified a small number of anomalies. To the north a large, amorphous, weakly magnetic anomaly can be seen in the resultant plot measuring 12m x 5m. It may denote the remains of a series of graves or a large pit, or may represent features of geological origin. A curvilinear anomaly, which may indicate a ditch was also identified.

{2} Two burials with associated finds. The interment was a semi-crouched inhumation of a juvenile male orientated west-east. The remains had been disturbed by ploughing. A sword had been placed on the right side of the body and a small knife was also found, possibly on a belt around the man's waist. To the west the fragmentary remains of another burial comprising only pelvic remains were found. This burial was possibly a later grave. From the remains the skeleton is thought to be a female. The sword was identified as being Saxon, perhaps of a C6th/C7th date. A Saxon brooch was also recovered from the plough soil away from the site.

A Saxon brooch was also recovered from the ploughsoil away from the burials by the metal detectorists. A small number of nails and possible rivets of indeterminate date were also found in the ploughsoil above the burials.

{7} In 2004, test pitting and excavation was undertaken. Six burials were excavated in various states of preservation. One grave was well preserved and still had its stone capping in place whilst in another only the lower portion of the legs of the individual survived. All the graves were aligned east to west. The more intact burials included grave goods. The graves had been carefully laid out in a single continuous row and probably represent a small family group covering one or two generations. Amongst the skeletons is a body of a woman, two males, an adolescent and a baby.The woman was buried with personal items of jewellery and domestic items of a culinary nature, while one of the male skeletons had a spear. All the adults were buried with their personal knife. The positions of the skeletons suggest the internments were covered with shrouds before being laid to rest and there was no evidence of wooden coffins being used.

{8} Metal detecting survey in the area around the cemetery identified a brooch and shield boss and exploratory field visit revealed that the two artefacts were associated with two further burials; one of a female buried in the 5th century with the brooch, knife and a blue glass bead and another of a male buried in the late 6th/early 7th century with a shield, of which the shield boss and rivets had survived. The earlier burial was aligned east-west while the later one was aligned north-south.

{11} Trial trench excavation along the route of a trackway in 2020 identified a possible alignment of undated postholes and pits. Although undated, the proximity of the features to the cemetery immediately to the east may indicate that they were contemporary.

<1> MASTERS P., 2002, Geophysical Surveys at Whitehall Farm, Nether Heyford, Northants, Section 5 Site 2 (part checked) (Report). SNN102445.

<2> Upson Smith T., 2000, Saxon Burial At Whitehall Farm, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN100762.

<3> Jacox E., 2001, Remains Of A Saxon Are Unearthed By Amateurs, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN100763.

<4> Brosnan, A., 2004, Skeleton Could Unearth Secrets Of The Saxons, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107698.

<5> Bowater, D., 2009, Unearthed Skeletons Are 1,400 Years Old, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN107699.

<6> Jacklin H.A., 2005, The Saxon Warrior, Whitehall Farm, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Report). SNN108010.

<7> Young, S., Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Whitehall Farm (Website). SNN111327.

<8> Horne, B (editor), 2016, South Midlands Archaeology (46), p. 32-4 (Journal). SNN111326.

<9> Young S. et al, 2000 (circa), Whitehall Farm Roman Villa and Landscape Project, (unchecked) (Website). SNN107418.

<10> Jacklin H.A., 2005, The Whitehall Farm Burials (Graves 3 to 8) 2004, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN108009.

<11> Young, S, 2020, Archaeological trial trench evaluation of land at Whitehall, Watling Street, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire May 2020 (Report). SNN112073.

Record last edited

Nov 1 2024 12:06PM