Monument record 1755/1 - Cemetery, Possibly Late Iron Age, Romano-British Or Early Saxon

Early Anglo Saxon burial site recorded prior to 1847, which has been accepted by Meaney as an inhumation cemetery. A possible tumulus was noted in the area, although no evidence for this was identified during field investigation in 1970. Two limestone coffins were found in 1866, which are possibly Roman.

{1} Cemetery found before 1847 on and near Shooters' Hill. Gravel diggers are reported to have discovered many human skeletons in the area, including three without heads. One pot, daggers, spearheads, necklaces etc were found. Inhumations found in 1866. Six skeletons and an iron dagger from gravel digging. Found by Mr. Wilkinson. Skeletons and two limestone coffins, the latter possibly Romano-British and possibly from the churchyard.

{2} Earthwork of tumulus with skeletons.

{3} No tumulus observed.

{4?} In field adjoining 1755/1/2; skeletons found in a small tumulus. Found in churchyard, some in contracted positions. R.A. Smith suggests a later Iron Age date.

{5}Many inhumations in regular order seen at Shooter's Hill by gravel-diggers prior to 1847, "ancient relics" also found periodically. In 1847 Cole visited the site and saw 9 or 10 skeletons; these and the others, had no tumuli over them. Some were buried on their stomachs, others on their sides; 3 were headless, with 3 or 4 stones heaped up in lieu of their heads.
A "Druidical ……. Drinking-cup", was found at the feet on one of the skeletons.

"In an adjoining field is a little tumulus-like elevation" in which skeletons were also found.

Six complete skeletons and an iron dagger were found in 1866 by Mr Wilkinson, yeoman, in digging gravel near his house on Shooter's Hill.

{6} Early Anglo-Saxon inhumations found pre1847. Nine or ten skeletons, buried on sides and on stomachs. Three were headless, their heads replaced by stone piles. There was a drinking cup at the feet of one.

{7} SP95727442. Burials found in 1847.

{8} AS Sepulchre urn from Shooter's Hill, Northants. There are no surface remains of this cemetery nor could the "tumulus-like elevation" be identified. Northampton Museum have no information relating to the site.

{9} Possible windmill mound.

{10} AS Sepulchre urn from Shooter's Hill, Northants. There are no surface remains of this cemetery nor could the "tumulus-like elevation" be identified. Northampton Museum have no information relating to the site.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.1, site 6 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97SE2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.241 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<4> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.186 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<5> Cole J., The History and Antiquities of Addington, (unchecked) (Book). SNN45362.

<6> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.741-42 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<7> 1958, OS 6 INCH MAP, SP97SE (checked) (Map). SNN37842.

<8> BRITISH MUSEUM, 1910, Anglo-Saxon British Museum Guide, p. 21, illustration (Catalogue). SNN112132.

<9> Foard G.F., 1980, Oral Report to SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN105053.

<10> Colquhoun, FD, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 FDC 19-FEB-1970 (Notes). SNN111540.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 7:49PM