Monument record 3097/1 - Early Saxon cemetery, mainly 6th century, Wakerley

Mainly C6th inhumations & one possible cremation, with grave goods. Eighty-five graves were excavated prior to open-cast quarrying between 1968 and 1969.

{1} Excavation took place over several years. Early Saxon cemetery found, and by 1971 85 inhumations had been found in 72 graves. Most of the graves were east-west orientated. 400 associated grave goods were found, including spears and shield bosses, a bronze-bound bucket, beads, Saxon pot sherds and 74 C6th brooches. The whole cemetery was probably recovered.

{9} The excavation was carried out by D Jackson in 1968-70. A total of 85 burials in 72 graves were recorded, as well as one possible cremation, the cemetery dates mainly to the 6th century AD. It is possible that cemetery extends beyond the excavated limits (shown on Figure 3 of the article), although there is a possibility these remains may have been subjected to plough damage.

Three groups of burials defined within article (Article contains a pictorial catalogue of grave goods).
Eastern group; 29 graves with an average depth below modern ground surface of 0.3m, one double burial.
Centre group; 24 graves the average depth of the graves 0.38m.
Western group; 18 graves average depth of graves 0.64m.
Varying heights attributed to soil erosion and location. It is possible that some of the graves contained wooden coffins, a number of graves showed evidence of tight limestone packing which may indicate the space between the grave and the coffin.

{11} Two Anglo-Saxon cemetery sites have been exvacated at Wakerley, one of 6th century date and a conversion period one. The latter had its limits established on all sides.

{12} - A dissertation written by Darcy Holland provided an interpretation for the inscription on the Wakerley Brooch found in grave 80. Darcy interprets the runes on the reverse of the brooch - ᛒ ᚢ ᚺ ᚢ ᛁ - to be buhui, which has similarities and parallels with Germanic personal name elements. Thought likely to be a female personal name, possibly abbreviated.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1975, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.105/Site 3 (checked) (Series). SNN77379.

<2> 1969, Medieval Archaeology (13), (unchecked) (Journal). SNN38357.

<3> 1970, Medieval Archaeology (14), (unchecked) (Journal). SNN38358.

<4> 1971, Medieval Archaeology (15), p. 132 (Journal). SNN4977.

<5> Jackson D., 1970, Fieldwork and Excavation in North Eastern Northamptonshire, p.44-5 (unchecked) (Article). SNN4821.

<6> 1970, Archaeological Excavations (Various Years), (unchecked) (Series). SNN38107.

<7> Jackson, D., 1978, Neolithic and Bronze Age Activity in the Harringworth Area, p.8 (checked) (Article). SNN38332.

<8> Brown, A E (ed), 1971, Bulletin of the Northamptonshire Federation of Archaeological Societies, p.28-29 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN13960.

<9> Adams B.; Jackson D, 1988-9, The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Wakerley, Northamptonshire: Excavations by Mr D. Jackson 1968-9, p.74 (checked) (Article). SNN104537.

<10> Pot Analysis Tabulation, (unchecked) (Typescript). SNN55638.

<11> Geake, H, 1997, Use of grave goods in conversion period England, c. 600 - c. 850, p. 172 (Monograph). SNN114719.

<12> Darcy Holland, 2023, Women and Writing in Eastern England (Dissertation). SNN115856.

Record last edited

Jul 3 2025 12:22PM