Monument record 6446/1 - Possible Saxon Cemetery, Watling Street

The skeleton of a female was discovered buried in the centre of Watling Street when a section was cut across it in 1947. A second pit to the north contained a small human skull and the skeleton of a dog. Further excavations in 1948 failed to find any additional burials, although a further burial has also been found just to the north-east during roadworks.

{1} A female skeleton, lying on its back oriented E-W in a patch of disturbed gravel at the centre of the Roman Road, was found during the cutting of a section across Watling Street in the summer of 1947. A second pit, some 7 ft to the N contained a small skull (believed to be human) and the skeleton of a dog also lying E-W. No grave goods were found although it is conceivable that the two pieces of belemnite, found near the chest of the first burial, may have been hollowed out by hand.
(Sited to SP 569 732 from the quoted reference L 022931 on OS 1" sheet 73 2nd war revision).

{2} Further excavations in 1948 failed to find any additional burials. It is likely that the burials were Saxon. Saxon cemeteries on, or by Watling Street occur at Bransford Bridge, (SP 58 SW 24) 7 miles to the NW and at Norton (SP 66 SW 12) 6 miles to the SE.

{3} At SP5682 7339 a section dug by the Archaeological Section of Rugby School in 1947 showed that the road surface consisted of 20in of hard flinty gravel in a layer of large smooth stones up to a foot in diameter; this rested on sandy gravel and clay. The width of the road was 11.5-12ft and in its surface had been dug two graves containing a female human skeleton, the bones of a dog and a human skull.

{4} SP569732. When a section was cut across the road in 1947 a female skeleton, lying on its back and orientated east-west, was discovered buried at the centre of the road. A second pit to the north contained a small human skull, and the skeleton of a dog. There were no grave goods, except perhaps for two pieces of belemnite found close to the human skeleton. More recently another burial, said to be Saxon, was discovered during roadworks on the modern A5 a little to the north-east, and east of the Roman road, at SP568734. Saxon cemeteries have been found along Watling Street a few miles to both the north and south. These remains are perhaps of the same period.

{5} A section was cut across Watling Street in the summer of 1947 by Rugby School and further excavation was undertaken in 1948. A female skeleton was found (lying in supine position), orientated east to west in a patch of disturbed gravel at the centre of the road. A second pit 7ft to the north contained a small human skull and the skeleton of a dog orientated east to west.

{6} Excavation in Crick and Kilsby, undertaken in 1947 by Rugby School.

{8} Crick parish survey. At SP568734 a Saxon burial was discovered by roadworks.

{9} No further information.

<1> Rugby School Natural History Society, 1947, Watling Street Excavation, p.34-7 (unchecked) (Article). SNN58072.

<2> Rugby School Natural History Group, 1948, Excavation Report, p.26 (unchecked) (Report). SNN58073.

<3> Brown, A E and Hannan, A, 1978, Watling Street and the Gartree Road: some work on two Roman roads in Northamptonshire., p.88 (unchecked) (Article). SNN112177.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1981, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.60 Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77381.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP57SE2 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Northampton Museum Records, Letter (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<7> RPS Consultants, 2001, Daventry: DIRFT Phase 2, Environmental Statement, (unchecked) (Report). SNN102487.

<8> Hall D.N.; Harding R., 1977, Crick Parish Survey, 7/29 (checked) (Article). SNN57905.

<9> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 16-MAR-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:19PM