Find Spot record 1831/0/0 - Possible early Saxon cremation cemetery

Anglo-Saxon burial found in 1883 by ironstone diggers on the slopes of the Nene Valley near the road to Ringstead. Probably 5th century in date. Calcined bones were contained in an unusual jug-shaped urn with a funnel handle, ornamented with a rope-pattern and incised zig-zag lines of a type found in cemeteries in the Bremen region of Germany. Other Saxon sherds, urns, spearheads and shield bosses have also been found in the area.

{1} An Anglo-Saxon burial was found in 1883 by ironstone diggers on the slopes of the Nene Valley near the road to Ringstead. Calcined bones were contained in an unusual jug-shaped urn with a funnel handle, ornamented with a rope-pattern and incised zig-zag lines. This vessel is one of the very rare English examples of a type found in cemeteries in the Bremen region of Germany. It is probably 5-th century in date. Other urns, spearheads and shield bosses are also said to have come from the site.

{2} A few handmade sandy Saxon sherds were found at SP966752.

{3} Now in British Museum; buried 6ft deep in blue lias clay on hill overlooking Nene.

{4} Illustration.

{5} Only 6 examples of its type are known.

{11} Photo.

{12} Quarries disused. Northampton Museum has no knowledge of the find.

This urn shows marked north German and Scandinavian affinities and points to an Anglian settlement of a date not later than the early 6th century [Unknown souce]

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.1/Site 7 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> HALL D.N.; HUTCHINGS J.B., 1972, The Distribution of Archaeological Sites Between The Nene and The Ouse Valleys, p.12 Site 2 (unchecked) (Article). SNN35780.

<3> 1883, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquaries, 9/322-3 (Uncertain). SNN37134.

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

<5> Gover J.E.B.; Mawer A.; Stenton F.M. (Eds.), 1933, The Place-names of Northamptonshire, p.15 (unchecked) (Series). SNN5881.

<6> Ryland, W, Adkins, D, and Serjeantson, R M, 1902, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.242+244 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100368.

<7> HALL D.N.; HUTCHINGS J.B., 1972, The Distribution of Archaeological Sites Between The Nene and The Ouse Valleys, p.12 (checked) (Article). SNN35780.

<8> BRITISH MUSEUM QUARTERLY, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN37139.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP97NE18 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<10> 1969, Journal of The Northampton Museum and Art Gallery (6), p.43 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN9670.

<11> The British Museum, The British Museum Collection, Museum Number: 1883,0810.1 (Website). SNN112027.

<12> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 31-OCT-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Jun 7 2022 3:46PM