Monument record 4958/1/1 - Probable Early Saxon cemetery, Duston

Saxon mixed cemetery, fifth to sixth centuries (probable site) found at Duston (now Upton) in 1902.

{1} "….men then working on further side of Mr Strike's orchard found skeleton with which was associated a large and handsome fibula of Anglo-Saxon character….two iron knives and some amber beads….during the last two years more than 100 skeletons have been disinterred….with a great number of them nothing was found….from other graves brooches and personal ornaments, and spearheads and bosses of shields….".

{2} "….few cremations were found….from other burials were taken 59 brooches….17 necklaces of amber and glass and earthenware… largest necklace having beads….7 wrist clasps….1 girdle hanger….24 spearheads….22 knives….12 bosses of shields….and the remains of a wooden bucket with bronze bands….".

{3} Anglo-Saxon Cemetery (?SP 727604), on Northampton Sands at about 83 m. above OD. The cemetery was discovered in 1902, when the men who were then working on the further side of Mr Strike's orchard, found a skeleton with which was associated a large and handsome fibula of an Anglo-Saxon character, two iron knives and some amber beads...During the last two years more than a hundred skeletons have been disinterred; with a great number of them nothing has been found, but from other graves, brooches, personal ornaments, spear heads and bosses of shields have been obtained. In 1919 the same author noted that `but few cases of cremation' had been found `but from the other burials were taken 59 brooches, 17 necklaces of amber, glass and eartherware, the largest one having beads, 7 wrist clasps, 1 girdle hanger, 24 spear heads, 22 knives, 12 bosses of shields and the remains of a wooden bucket with bronze bands' (George 1919). Many of the brooches are of disc, saucer and small-long type of which the date range is mostly between AD 450 and 550 but there is some later material. The discovery of a Roman lead coffin `in the midst of the Saxon Cemetery' is intriguing and perhaps suggests continuity from the Roman to the Saxon period but there is no other evidence to substantiate this. An orchard is recorded immediately to the W. of the pre-1900 quarrying (SP 727604) and it is probable that this is the one referred to. Since the site was also `about half a mile due W. of the Romano-British site' it was probably on the W. side of the orchard. In 1977 trial trenching and a watching brief on the route of Upton Way, produced no evidence verifying the location but ditches of 4th-century date were noted (SP 72606040).

{4} Probable orchard is shown immediately to west of pre 1900 quarrying at SP727604.

{5} [grid references incorrect].

{6} [grid references incorrect].

{9} "….half a mile due west of the Romano-British site….".

{12} Research on finds from the cemetery.

{13} Northampton Museum retain the finds from this cemetery. No additional siting information.

<1> GEORGE T.J., 1904, Archaeological Survey Northamptonshire, p.280-81 (unchecked) (Series). SNN16082.

<2> GEORGE T.J., 1919, Journal of Northants Natural History Society and Field Club, p.35-43 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN16083.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.256-7+263 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<4> 1900, Map of Duston pre-1900, (unchecked) (Map). SNN16085.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP76SW17 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<6> Meaney A.L., 1964, Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites, p.189 (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN10289.

<7> Hall, D (Ed), 1979, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (9), p.13-14 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN28703.

<8> Shaw M.; Williams J., 1971-1981, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Record Cards, AS1 (Index). SNN133.

<9> 1903, Proceedings of The Society of Antiquities, p.310-14 (unchecked) (Series). SNN46372.

<10> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, AS1 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<11> Northampton Museum Records, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN126.

<12> Brown A.E. (Editor), 1976, Archaeology in Northamptonshire 1975, p. 195 (Journal). SNN169.

<13> Colquhoun, FD, 1969, Field investigators comments, F1 FDC 24-JUL-1969 (Notes). SNN112950.

Record last edited

Jan 23 2023 4:22PM