Monument record 6662/0/1 - Early Saxon burial

Disturbed remains of a prone burial of an adult male

{2} Disturbed remains of a prone burial of an adult male aged between 36 and 42.5 years were recorded in the top of an earlier enclosure ditch. It was accompanied by three knife blades. No clear grave cut was recorded as the remains were found at the top of a previously machined level. A bone from the burial was radiocarbon dated to between 570-660 cal AD (95.4% confidence, 1431 +/-30BP, Ua42882). The alignment of the grave does appear to respect the alignment of the later Roman trackway. The prone position of the burial may have been chosen to prevent the corpse returning; the isolated position and proximity to an abandoned structure may also mark it out as a 'bad' death.

<1> Harvey, J., 2012, Archaeological Excavations within Housing Area 6C/D, Mawsley New Village, Great Cransley, Kettering, Northamptonshire (SP 811 764), unchecked (Report). SNN110232.

<2> Harvey, J., 2015, An Iron Age and Roman settlement at Mawsley New Village, Great Cransley, Kettering, p.93 (Article). SNN110233.

Record last edited

Feb 26 2025 7:47PM