Monument record 5368/0/1 - Probable Early Middle Saxon burial, Beechwood Drive

Unstratified human bones were found in a garden at 20 Beechwood Drive and the front and rear of the property was subsequently excavated by forensic archaeologists. An ulna (lower arm bone) was submitted for C14 dating and dated to AD 600-670.

{1} Human bone was found by a builder at Beechwood Drive. A forensic archaeological excavation was undertaken to assess the burial. There was a single grave cut, partially beneath the existing garage. Several post holes were also found; some may have been truncated by the grave cut. A small part of the lower body was in situ under the garage but the rest had been truncated by a service trench or foundation trench. A single sherd of pottery was recovered from the grave fill.

{2} Radiocarbon dating of an ulna submitted for analysis by Cellmark Forensic Services in May 2022. It was determined that the ulna was not modern and calibration of the value produced an age range of AD 600-670 (95.4% probability).

<1> ORAL REPORT, Email from Peter Schofield, Cellmark (Oral Report). SNN53287.

<2> Cook, Prof G T, 2022, Radiocarbon Dating Report to Cellmark Forensic Services on a Human Ulna (Report). SNN114107.

Record last edited

Feb 25 2025 7:13PM