Corpus Type l

Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites

ALDBOROUGH - YORKSHIRE

Figure 6

Isuriam Brigantum Roman Town

47mm diameter x 40mm height, worn and repaired. Body extended in length by a seamed internal tube with a single row of six raised punched dots on the exterior periphery. The tube is attached to the inside diameter of the body by four copperalloy rivets. This arrangement serves twin functions, to increase the capacity of the box and enabled the lid assembly to fit firmly onto the body. This method accounts for striations evident on the box. Lid ring is bell mouthed at one end to form a ledge; two bored holes are utalised to attach copper-alloy rivets to corresponding holes in the flat un-decorated lid top to form the complete lid assembly. Body bell mouthed at one end, the flat body base is attached by a single copper-alloy rivet and solder. Body base has what appears to be a deliberate attempt to incise a crude incomplete cross of three equally spaced arms meeting on a central circle?

Alternatively, the symbol may be unrelated to a cross and represent nothing more than rays from the sun or moon. However, this is no casual ‘doodle.’ The cross lines are so straight that demonstrates the use of a straight edge, the distorted central circle has been applied freehand. Ascot-under-Wychwood, Hurdlow and Wolverton Grave 2168 are other Type l boxes with incised decorations. Aldborough Roman Site Museum, Boroughbridge Yorkshire.

Figure 6Figure 6 Aldborough (Yorkshire) unusual box with unfinished cruciform on body base.Aldborough (Yorkshire) unusual box with unfinished cruciform on body base.

ASCOT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD - OXFORDSHIRE

Oxford Museum Service Accession number OXCMC: 2019. 64

Figure 7

Found by metal detection at Detectival Rally 2017.

A complete Type l base assembly, recovered in a distorted and partly crushed condition due to plough damage, possibly resulting from being dragged from an un-located inhumation burial near to the find spot. Found in association with the box was a short length of copper-alloy chain, consisting of three, figure of eight links with an iron nail attached to one link. This is the second Type l base assembly recorded, the other from Dover Painted House (Kent). The base assembly 50mm diameter x 56.5 mm in length is in remarkable condition with little indication of wear. Constructed from copper-alloy sheet metal .050-.060mm in thickness, originally formed as a seamed tube with an overlapped joint secured by three copper-alloy rivets. The undecorated convex lid is attached by metal clenching to the body. The now miss-shaped lentoid shaped body is decorated in Salin Style ll iconography and described hereby Catherine Hills (Blair and Hills 2020, 75-76).

“The box is decorated with, two panels of incised motifs, one zoomorphic and the other interlaced. The zoomorphic panel is occupied by four sinuous beasts, each coiled in a figure- of- eight with backward turning heads and closed jaws biting its own body, which appears to terminate in a rudimentary hind limb. The space within the looped bodies and between the beasts are filled with cross-hatched lines.

The lower panel consists of triple strand interlace; each strand formed of paired lines. The interlaced has one panel only with crosshatching, either a mistake or an indication that the design was not completed. The lines are not all incised very neatly; some of the cross- hatching is untidy and includes cuts across the edge of the animal bodies, and some of the interlace lines overlap.” This is the only Type l relic box with incised zoomorphic iconography. The most highly decorated of all boxes is the Type ll box from Burwell (Cambridgeshire) Grave 42 which also has Style ll decorations, these however were applied by die impressed punches. A further Type ll box from Burwell Village has been found with incised Style ll body decoration, details yet to be illustrated. Portable Antiquities Scheme AS OXON1A54A6, British Museum. London.

Blair. J. and Hills. C. 2020, An Anglo-Saxon Relic-Box from Ascot-under Wychwood Oxfordshire, and the Geography of the seventh century Burials in the Middle Evenlode Valley. Oxoniensia Volume 85,75-90.

0 5 10

centimetres

Figure 7

Ascot-under-Wychwood (Oxfordshire) Type I base assembly with impressive Style II incised iconography

ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM - OXFORD

Unprovenanced Accession Number 1909-568.

Figure 8

Conserved and in good condition, 52mm diameter x 60mm height, repousee decorated. Lid ring and body bell mouthed at one end, but jointed and soldered with a split eyelet is attached to lid ring and body jointed seam. Lid ring is decorated with two double rows of parallel dots, top and bottom of its periphery The body decoration is unique with a curvaceous line of double dots set between two double rows of dots and interspersed with raised bosses. Lid top and body base are convex and crimped to the body, both are decorated with a quincunx overlaid by a cross saltire. Body base slightly damaged and repaired with conservation material. The body decoration on this, the Polhill Grave 43 and Verulamium Grave 21 boxes are suggestive of Salin Style ll, an indication that the makers were familiar with and capable of reproducing this art form. It may be coincidental in that two boxes a Type l from Oxfordshire, Ascot-Under-Wychwood and a Type ll from North Leigh feature Salin Style ll iconography.

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

Figure 8

Ashmolean Museum (Oxford) Type I unprovenced

ARNCLIFFE CARR FARM - YORKSHIRE

Primary inhumations in a linear earthwork underlying a standing dry stone boundary wall. Human bones recovered indicate two possibly three adult female burials. Box 51mm diameter x 55mm height, repousee decorated, lid ring absent, box has a hinged lid, a feature shared with those from Finglesham Grave 8, Westfield Grave 2 and Wolverton Grave 2166. Body base is riveted to the body.

Convex lid top and body base are decorated by two rows of dots around the outer edge of the circumference, with a three-row dotted Latin cross centrally positioned. Body has an arrangement of three double rows of dots around the periphery. Cale, KJ, 2000. Interim Statement Archeological Investigation, Carr Farm, North Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

PAS Arncliffe Yorkshire 2000 LVPL-1664.

BIDFORD-ON- AVON - WARWICKSHIRE

Grave 100

Mixed cremation and inhumation cemetery discovered in 1921 during the construction of a road.

Described as “2 1/4 in. in height and about 2 in. in diameter" (Humphrey 1923, 92) repousee decorated. Although in good condition lid top is missing. Lid ring is bell mouthed at one end and decorated with a single row of dots. Lid ring and body have over-lapped joints and riveted. Opposing twin elongated S shaped chain links terminating with a wire ring are fitted by split eyelets to the lid ring and body, enabling the box and lid ring to be held together. Body, bell mouthed at one end has a single row of dots at the top edge and a series angular lines set between four parallel lines of dots around the periphery. The flat undecorated box base is material clenched to the body.

Humphreys. J. Ryland. J. W. Barnard. E. A. B. Wellstood. F. C. and Barnett. T. G. 1923. An Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. Archaeologia, LXXIIII, 89-96

BULFORD - WILTSHIRE

Type 1 Full report unpublished.

Wessex Archaeology Blog /Bulford.13th and 15th April 2016.

No response to a request to physically examine box.

Grave 121. BURWELL - CAMBRIDGESHIRE

lnhumation cemetery discovered in 1884 when labourers digging for lime found human remains and grave goods. The site was excavated between 1925 and 1929, 125 burials are recorded.

This box is recorded as '2 inch diameter x 2 ½ inches height' and is repousse decorated. Body and lid ring have overlapped joints secured by rivets, three on the body , one on the lid ring. Both have a small U shaped hasp fitted. Each hasp has three figure-of-eight chain links attached to a wire ring, which retains the lid and body assemblies together. The lid ring is decorated with two lines of dots around its periphery, the body with six. Lid top and body base are convex and share the same decorative feature: two lines of dots around the outside circumference and three circular rows of dots around a centrally placed raised boss. A Type II box was recovered from Grave 42 at this site.

Lethbridge. T.C. 1931. Recent excavations in Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Burwell Cambridge. Cambridge Antiquarian Society Quarto Publication. New Series No. III 47-70. Plate III, fig 36-37.

CASTLEDYKE SOUTH BARTON-ON-HUMBER LINCOLNSHIRE

During the construction of air-raid shelters in 1939, skeletal remains and grave goods indicated the area was a burial ground. Further excavations were undertaken and among the artefacts recovered were two boxes described by the excavator as "a cylindrical bronze box" and “a cylindrical work box and lid" (Sheppard 1939, Drinkall and Forman, 1998). Post-war the site underwent field work and excavations, most appear to be haphazard and lacking discipline with records, plans, and photographs miss-laid and lost. This changed in 1989 with a rescue excavation, in 1990 a final excavation took place. A detailed report was published in 1998.

Grave I 1939

Box found in a fragmented condition 45mm diameter x 52in height repousee decorated. Lid ring and body appear but jointed, decorated around the periphery with two rows of dots on the lid ring three on the body. Body has a single eyelet located near the base, attached is a single figure of 8 chain link and one half of another link. Lid top and base both convex with three concentric rows of small dot around the circumference, raised bosses form a centrally placed quincunx overlaid with a saltire.

Grave II 1939

Box found in a poor condition and originally described as " pieces of metal " c53mm diameter x c48mm height, repousee decorated. Fragmented body, lid ring and lid top. Base decorated as Grave l. Lid ring and body bell mouthed at one end and fitted with a single eyelet. Lid ring is decorated with four rows of closely spaced dot, body with nine. Remains of textiles, thread wrapped around an iron pin and seeds of the Caper Spur (Euphorbia lathyris) were found inside the box.

Grave 183 1990

Box was found complete though damaged 62mm diameter x 58mm height, repousee decorated. Lid ring and body bell mouthed, but jointed each has an eyelet located adjacent to their joint. Attached are two inter- locked square section elongated wire chain links holding them together. Lid ring is decorated with two rows of dots between them are double rows of dotted vertical lines, the body has a similar pattern. Lid top has a quincunx displayed in raised bosses, the centre boss is enclosed by a circle of dots and lines of dots connect to the four outer bosses. The body base has a similar pattern without the circle of dots around the central boss.

Sheppard. T. 1939. Saxon relics from Barton, Lincs. The Naturalist. 257-262, 281-283. fig opp. 261.

Drinkall. G. and Foreman. M. 1998. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Castledyke South, Barton-on Humber. Sheffield Excavation Report 6. Sheffield, Sheffield Academic Press.

Bayliss. A. and Hines. J. (ed.) A. Hoilund Nielson. K. McCormac. G. and Scull. C. 2013. Anglo-Saxon Graves and Grave Goods of the 6th and 7th Centuries AD: A Chronological Framework: The Society for Medieval Archaeology; London: The Society for Medieval Archaeology.

CRANSLEY - NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

DIDCOT POWER STATION - OXFORDSHIRE

Between 1879 -1882 Anglo-Saxon artefacts and skeletal remains and were found by iron-stone diggers. The box is described as 2" in diameter and 2 1/4" in height. The bottom has a puncture or ornamentation said to be in the "form of a cross", the sides also slightly ornamented in the same way. On this description it has been interpreted as a Type l with cruciform decorations?

Baker R. S. 1881-1883. Notes on Archaeological discoveries at Irchester, Islip, Twywell, Cransley. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities. 9: 85-95.

Grave 12 child c5-7 years of age

In advance of a development an inhumation cemetery containing 12 burials was excavated.

51mm diameter (height not determinable), repousee decorated. Found in a poor condition in six fragments missing lid top and body base, recorded as to be in the form of a tapering cylinder. Lid ring is decorated with two double rows of dot, the body with six rows. Classed here as a Type l. The excavators description could possibly relate to a Type lll ?

Boyle. A. Dodd. A. Miles. D. and Mudd. A. 1995. Two Oxfordshire Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries Beringsfield and Didcot. Thames Valley Landscape Monograph No.8.Oxfordshire Archaeological Unit. Oxford.

DOVER PAINTED HOUSE - DOVER KENT

One of two Type l incomplete boxes (base assembly only) recorded from outside a burial context, the other found by metal detection at Ascot-under-Wychwood (Oxfordshire).

In 1970 a local Archaeological Society (now Kent Archaeological rescue Unit, K.A.R.U), discovered a previously unknown Roman Mansio situated in the centre of Dover. This had been partly demolished by the Roman Army during the expansion of the Classis Britannica. Excavations 1973 in an area just north of the Roman bath house exposed Anglo-Saxon structures and features, including AngloSaxon Sunken Featured Buildings. These are now considered to be associated with an Anglo-Saxon Great Hall (Thomas, 2018). SFB Hut N4, one of four discovered in 1975 and excavated 1976. Although the hut had been destroyed by a severe fire enough evidence remained to indicate that it had been a substantial structure. Hut N4 was c7.50 metres in length and c3.15 metres width and 60-80cm below the current ground surface.

Post holes indicate a linear ridge-beam ran the full length of the pit to support a gabled roof, the pit sides were plank lined. Among a large number of artefacts recovered from the fire debris and pit fill were 189 clay loom-weights, part of a bone comb, three spindle-whorls, three bronze pins and the base assembly only of a box. The excavation report suggests that the hut was in active use when it was destroyed. The base assembly is 45mm diameter x 35mm in height, and repousee decorated. The lid assembly of the box was not among the artefacts recorded, and there is no evidence that it had been destroyed in the fire. It is possible that a) the lid assembly was taken from the hut during or prior to the fire, b) for whatever reason there was no lid assembly?

The box body has an over-lapped joint secured by a split eyelet. It has a narrow sheet metal sheet tube 12mm width positioned at an angle inside the top of the base assembly secured by four rivets and angled to project 7 mm above the base assembly to form a narrow angular ledge. The purpose of this feature is to make a location or stop ridge, would have enabled the lid assembly to fit securely and adds to the boxes aesthetic appeal. The flat body base was riveted to the body by six rivets and evidence of repair can be seen in that three of the rivets had irregular shaped washers fitted. The very precise and symmetrical design on the body reflects the artistic ability of its maker, three equal spaced lines of dots around the periphery with two rows of chevrons meeting on the central line to form a dual pattern of chevrons, linked cross saltire and diamonds.

This combination pattern is evident on boxes from, Finglesham Grave 8, Harford Farm Grave 18, Hawnby, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Lechlade Grave 14, Tidworth, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21.

The base has three circles of dots around a central raised boss overlaid with a Latin Cross, additionally four short equi-spaced lines of dots connect the two outer circles, a very attractive design. Similar example of a stop-ridge can be seen on the Aldborough and Polhill Grave 43 boxes. In design, quality and use of a stop-ridge the box is so like the Polhill box as to have been made by the same maker?

Philp. B. J. 2003. The Discovery and Excavation of Anglo-Saxon Dover. Ninth Report in the Kent Monograph Series. Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. Dover.

Thomas. G. 2018. Mead Halls of the Oiscingas: A New Kentish Perspective on the Anglo-Saxon Great Hall Complex Phenomenon. Medieval Archaeology Journal of The Society for Medieval Archaeology 63, 262-303.

Figure 9

Dover Painted House (Kent) after Philp 2003, Type I base assembly with angled stop ridge, Body decorated with chevrons, cross saltire and diamond pattern.

FINGLESHAM - KENT

Inhumation cemetery of 216 graves first excavated in 1928-1929 by local archaeologists W. Stebbings and W. Whiting. Between 1959 and 1967 the cemetery was further excavated by Sonia Chadwick Hawkes. Prior to her death in 1999 eleven papers relating to the cemetery and details of some artefacts were published in archaeological journals and reports, full details relating to the cemetery remained unpublished. In 2006 with the assistance of Hawkes notes and records, Guy Grainger undertook the unenviable task of collating and publishing the site report. The results were published in 2007.

Grave 8

Located inside a crushed pottery vessel positioned close to the skeletons left shoulder, (a Type l box was found in the remains of a hazel basket, close to the skeletons right shoulder at Hurdlow). Box 59mm diameter x 53mm height, repousee decorated it has a hinged lid a feature shared with boxes from Arncliffe, Westfield Grave 2 and Wolverton Grave 2168. The body and lid rings are bell mouthed at one end the over lapped joints are held in position with rivets, two with internal washers on the body, and one on the lid ring. A small hinge is secured by rivets to the body and lid ring. Both lid top and body base are convex and attached by solder. The lid top is decorated a single line of dots around its circumference with raised bosses forming a quincunx over- laid with an eight rayed star- bust in small dots. The star-burst pattern decorates either the lid top or body base of boxes from, Uncleby Grave 29, Wolverton Grave 2168 and the copper-alloy disc from Ilam. The base found corroded has a single line around its circumference with a central boss enclosed with a small circle of dots and what appears as net of curved dotted lines. The lid ring is undecorated the body has three equal spaced lines of dots around the periphery with two rows of chevrons meeting on the centre line to form a dual pattern of linked chevrons, cross saltires and diamonds This pattern combination is evident on boxes from Dover Painted House, Harford Farm Grave 18, Hawnby, Kempston Grave 46 and 71, Lechlade Grave 14, Tidworth, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21.

Stepping. W. P. 1929. Jutish cemetery near Finglesham Kent, Archaelogical Cantianna XLl:115-125.

Hawkes. S. and Grainger. G. 2007. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Finglesham, Kent. Oxford University School of Archaeology Monograph 64. Oxford.

GARTON GREEN LANE II - YORKSHIRE

Grave 7 adjacent to Barrow 3. 17-20 years of age

Cemetery with twenty-seven burials and one cremation excavated in 1871.

Described as being 53mm diameter x 50mm in height, repousee decorated. Convex lid top has a double dotted row Latin cross over laid with a saltire.

Base has the same display with the exception that the that the saltire has a wider width. Lid ring has two, double rows of repousee around the periphery. The over-lapped body incorporates two double rows of dots around the top of the periphery one at the base, set between are vertical lines of three dot width from which angular lines of two dot width connect. The base and lid assemblies are attached by a single figure of 8 chain link and a wire ring. Above description from Agnes Mortimer's sketch.

Mortimer. J. R. 1905. Forty Years Research in British and Saxon Burial Mounds of East Yorkshire, 246-247, Pl. LXXXIV fig. 643 A Brown and Sons London.

HARFORD FARM TYPE I CAISTOR ST. EDMUNDS NORFOLK

Grave 18 coffin burial

Plate 6 Rear Cover

Inhumation cemetery excavated in 1990 consisting of two groups of burials totaling forty-six individuals.

Two boxes were recovered from a coffin burial, the other a Type lll will be recorded in Section 3. Type l box 55mm diameter x 68mm height, repousee decorated. Box fragmented, missing section of body and parts of lid top and body base. Lid ring and body are bell mouthed at one end, over- lapped joints on the body secured by two rivets and an attachment loop, a similar loop is fitted to the lid ring joint. Originally the lid top and body base would have been material clenched to lid ring and body. The slightly formed convex lid top and base both incomplete and detached from the box have three concentric rings of dots around their circumference and a central raised boss. A series of short randomly placed dotted lines connect the two outer rings. Lid ring has two rows of repousee dots around the periphery the body three, with two rows of chevrons offset to one another meeting on the central line. This decoration is so similar to the linked cross saltires and diamond pattern on the Dover Painted House, Hawnby, Finglesham Grave 8, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Lechlade Grave 14, Tidworth, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21 to suggest that originally the intention was to make the chevrons points meet to create a pattern as those above. This is evidenced by a chevron under lying the over lapped joint.

The maker appears to have miscalculated the correct length of metal required to make the chevrons points align; to correct this the box diameter would have either been reduced or expanded in size, if the lid assembly had been cut out or completed either action would not resolve the problem. The lid ring and base assemblies were originally connected by five figures of eight shaped chain links attached to a wire ring. The box contained two copper-alloy dress hooks with fragment of textile, remains of a silver pin suite comprising a silver zoomorphic terminal, a looped wire plaited chain, silver pin with wire suspension loop, silver pin, another silver zoomorphic terminal and a silver loop and attachment on the eye of a pin. The remains of textiles were on the lid and the box contained textile fragments.

Penn. K. 2000. Excavation on the Norwich Southern Bypass. Part 2. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Harford Farm, Caistor St. Edmunds Norfolk, Anglian Archaeology 92, Norfolk Museum Service, Gressenhall.

Plate 1 Front Cover

HAWNBY YORKSHIRE

A barrow inhumation burial no further details given.

A most attractive box, 54mm diameter x 65mm height, repousee decorated. Lid and base slightly convex, base incomplete, both have the same decorative arrangement; a single row of dots around their circumference and a cruciform formed of double lined arms meeting on a circle enclosing a raised central boss, inside each arm further raised bosses form a quincunx. The base has the same pattern. The lid ring is decorated with conjoined chevrons set between two single rows of parallel lines; the body is similarly decorated with twin row of repousee at the base of the body. When the top assembly is fitted to the body the pattern is similar to those on the Dover Painted House, Finglesham Grave 8, Harford Farm Grave 18, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Lechlade Grave 14, Tidworth, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21. The lid top decoration is a distinctive AngloSaxon artistic design, it can be seen incorporated on a number of composite cloisonné disc brooches (e.g., Kingston Down, Milton North Field) and jeweled scutiform pendants (e.g., Lechlade). Nothing is new in art and a c9th century BC bronze diadem from Vergina Greece (Plate 5) has an identical repousee pattern.

Denny. H. 1868. Notice of an early British Tumuli on the Hambleton Hills near Thirsk. Proceedings of the Geological Society of the West Riding of Yorkshire. 4 488-502.

HURDLOW - DERBYSHIRE

Single inhumation under a burial mound. Opened 7th of July 1849.

Bateman records that the box was found in a crushed condition located on the right shoulder "amid the remains of a hazel basket ... 2 inches in height and the same in diameter". Lid ring and body have overlapped joints each secured by three rivets, flat lid top and body base are undecorated the lid ring and body are ornamented with faint incised geometric and lozenge shapes in no discernible pattern. The box contained "two pins or broken needles". The Aldborough and Ascot-under-Wychwood examples are other Type 1 boxes with incised decoration. A Type l box was recorded from Finglesham Grave 8 inside a "crushed pottery vessel positioned to the skeletons left shoulder".

Bateman. T. 1861. Ten Years Digging in Celtic and Saxon Grave Hills in the Counties of Derby, Stafford, and York from 1848-1858. London: George Allen and Sons. 52-54, fig opp. 52.

ISLE OF THANET - KENT

Type I Box recorded no further details were recorded.

Mason and Andrews Current Archaeology April 2012.

KEMPSTON - BEDFORDSHIRE

Inhumation and cremation cemetery discovered when extracting gravel containing c129 burials and c51 cremations. Largely investigated and recorded by Rev. Samuel Fitch MD and James Wyatt local antiquarians 1863 to 1865, stray finds associated with the site were still being reported as late as 1913. The cemetery on seriation evidence is dated 5th to 7th century. Early site reports and grave numbers allocated to specific artefacts are confusing, haphazard and need to be treated with caution.

Grave 46? (BM 1891-6 24-140)

Box is incomplete missing lid top and body base, c48mm in diameter x c53 mm in height, repousee decorated. Lid ring and body bell mouthed at one end, the overlapped joints are riveted, the body has a small U-shaped loop to which is attached two figure of 8 shaped, copper-alloy chain links. Lid ring has three double rows of dots around the periphery, the body has three equal spaced rows of double dots with two rows of chevrons meeting on the central line to form a dual pattern of linked cross saltires and diamonds. This pattern combination is also evident on the boxes from, Dover Painted House, Finglesham Grave 8, Harford Farm Grave 18, Hawnby, Tidworth, Lechlade Grave 18, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21. The box was said to be gilded when found and said to contain a bronze pin and spiral of thread.

Grave 71? (BM 1891-6 24-M1)

Box now fragmented and missing lid ring, top and body base; it has two slotted swivel catches attached opposite to one another on the body, these would have engaged with corresponding pin component on the lid ring enabling the box to be locked. Fitch records that underneath one of these catches he found "gilding in its most original purity and brightness". The body fragment examined has the same decor as the box in Grave 46. The box contained fabric, linen, and the remains of a leather purse.

Fitch, S E 1864. Discovery of Saxon remains at Kempston. Associated Architectural Societies Report. 7, 266-269.

Wyatt, J 1864. Further Discoveries of Saxon at Kempston Collectanea Antiqua VI 166-172. London.

Kennett, D 1986. Recent work on the Anglo-Saxon Cemetery found at Kempston. CBA Group 9. South Midland Archaeology 16. Bedford 3-14.

KINGSTON DOWN - KENT

Grave 96 coffin burial

"burial under a small tumulus was opened 19th July 1771."

This Type l box described as " ... a brass box like our common dredging boxes ...two and a quarter inch in height; two inches in diameter... and full of a dark-coloured substance " (Faussett 1856, 57-58). Both lid ring and body are bell mouthed at one end the lid top is convex and crimped to the body the body base is lost. Lid top is repousee decorated with six rows of dots and a centrally placed Latin cross. Body has seven lines of dots, the lid ring two. The Latin cross evident on the box is not shown on the excavator’s original sketch or in the excavation report? A Type lll box was recovered from Grave 222 at this site and detailed in Section 3.

Faussett. B. 1856. Inventorium Sepulchrale An Account of Some Antiquities dug up at Gilton, Kingston, Sibertswold, Barfriston, Beaksborough, Chartam and Crundale in the County of Kent, from AD 1757 to AD 1773, C. R. Roach Smith (ed.) London.

LECHLADE - BUTLER'S FIELD - GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Grave 14 c14-16 years of age

In advance of a proposed development a previously unknown cemetery was excavated in 1985. The cemetery contained 219 inhumations in 199 graves and 29 cremations.

50mm diameter x 70mm height, repousee decorated. Body and lid ring are bell mouthed at one end with over- lapped joint secured by three rivets on the former and two on the latter. Both have a single eyelet, attached are two elongated S shaped chain links placed each side of a wire suspension ring holding the lid and body assemblies together. Lid ring and body both have three equal spaced double rows of dots around their periphery, additionally the body has two rows of chevrons meeting on the central line to form a dual pattern of linked cross saltires and diamonds. This pattern combination is evident on boxes from, Dover Painted House, Finglesham Grave 8, Hawnby, Harford Farm Grave 18, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Tidworth, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21 boxes. Lid top and base are convex and have circular rows of dots around a central raised boss.

Boyle. A. Jennings. D. Miles. D. and Palmer. S. 1998. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Butler's Field, Lechlade, Gloucestershire. Vol.1: Prehistoric and Roman Activity and Anglo-Saxon Grave Catalogue Valley Landscapes Monographs 10. Oxford University School of Archaeology Oxford.

MARINA DRIVE - DUNSTABLE - BEDFORDSHIRE

Inhumation cemetery with 49 burials grouped around a Bronze Age burial mound and ditch excavated in 1957.

Grave B3/B4 Double burial male and female.

Box 50mm diameter x 52mm height, undecorated, said to be "silvered bronze". Lid top, body base missing. Lid assembly is attached to the base assembly by three figure of eight shaped chain links and a wire ring. The box contained a few threads of wool. Lid top from Grave E3 described as a re-used waist pendant could possibly be associated with this box?

Grave E1/E2 Double burial children.

Box 48mm diameter x 50mm height repousee decorated. The damaged lid top has a large central raised boss and three concentric lines of rings four dots in width, body base is missing. Lid ring has two lines of double dots around its periphery, body with two rows of four dots. Four elongated S shaped chain links and a wire ring attach the lid ring and body assemblies together. The box "was full of thread and a small roll of material".

Matthews, C L, 1962 The Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Marina Drive Dunstable. Bedfordshire Archaeological Journal, 125-47 fig 4-8

Gibson. T. and Harris. P. 1994. Analysis of Anglo-Saxon Solder Deposited on a Copper-Alloy Disc from the Cemetery at Marina Drive, Bedfordshire. Bedfordshire Archeology. 21, 108-119.

PAINSTHORPE WOLD - YORKSHIRE

Barrow 4, Grave 6a

Secondary inhumations in a Bronze Age burial mound excavated 1876.

A very small box undecorated, 40mm diameter x 42mm height. Over-lapped joints on lid ring and body. Lid top and body base missing. Inadequate sketch and description by excavator. Box was said to contain "remains of thread and iron needle."

Mortimer. J. R. 1905. Forty Years' Researches in British and Saxon Burial Mounds of East Yorkshire, A Brown & Sons, London 113-117, Plate XXXV, fig 279.

Figure 10 POLHILL - DUNTON GREEN - KENT

Historical references to the site were known from 1839. In 1967 excavations prior to road works were undertaken. Further excavations in 1984 revealed 50 additional graves in all 162 graves are recorded from this site.

Grave 43 double burial.

Box 40mm diameter x 47mm height, repousee decorated. The box is an excellent example of skillful metal-work and artistic application. It is unique in that the body has a raised undecorated stop ridge incorporated into its design. This enables the lid assembly to slide fit over the body assembly to a fixed point, this feature adds to the box’s proportions and ascetic features. The flat lid and body base share the same pattern, three rings of dots overlaid with a Latin cross. Both lid ring and body have overlapped joints each with a single eyelet. The lid ring and body have a single row of sinuous interlacing formed in double lines of very fine dots set between two parallel lines of dots. The Ascot-under-Wychwood, Ashmolean and Verulamium Grave 21 examples shares an artistic affinity with this box in that they are decorated with Salin Style ll interlacing. Box contained thread and a chain.

Philp. B. J. 1973. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Polhill Dunton Green. Excavations in West Kent 1960-1970. Kent Archaeological Rescue Group. Dover.

Philp. B. J. 2002. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Polhill near Sevenoaks, Kent 19641986. Kent Archaeological Unit, Dover.

STANDLAKE - OXFORDSHIRE

Box discovered in an inhumation cemetery c1826 by workmen digging for gravel.

Described as "a box of brass or bronze" and said to "resemble a pepper-box". On this description the box has been interpretated as a Type I and repousee decorated?

Stone. S. 1856 -59. Account of certain (Supposed) British and Saxon remains recently discovered at Standlake, in the County of Oxford. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities Series 1, 4, 92-100

TIDWORTH - WILTSHIRE

Inhumation cemetery containing 55 burials uncovered prior to a military house building programme. Excavation details not available.

Box 55mm diameter x 65mm height repousse decorated. Body over lapped joint. Lid top and body base appear crimped. Lid ring has two rows of repousse dots around the periphery set between is a single row of conjoined chevrons. The body has three rows of repousse dots, with two rows of chevrons offset to one another meeting on the centre line. This pattern is similar to the linked cross saltires and diamond pattern on the Dover Painted House, Harford Farm Grave 18, Hawnby, Finglesham Grave 8, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Lechlade, Uncleby Grave 29 and Verulamium Grave 21. The lid top has a series of repousse individual rosette patterns within a single row of dots around the periphery. The lid top and body assemblies are held together with two ‘S’ shaped links attached is a figure of eight link and wire ring. (Details from photograph).

Information from Wessex Archaeology Blog/Tidworth photograph. Full report unpublished.

No response to a request to physically examine box.

UNCLEBY - YORKSHIRE

Cemetery with 78 inhumations located in a Bronze Age burial mound and ditch. Excavated by Cannon William Greenwell in 1868, details from his notebook are inadequate and his plan incomplete. Treat allocation of boxes to specific graves with caution. This site is important as it contained five Type l boxes, the largest number from any one site.

Grave 1

Recorded as " 1 3/4 in. height and diameter 2 in. ", repousee decorated. Lid ring and body over lapped joints, with a single loop of wire attached to the lid ring, it is decorated with two rows of dots around the periphery. Flat lid top has a single row of dots around the circumference, radiating from which are four curved lines meeting on a centre circle, each of the four quadrants and the centre circle have a raised boss; effectively forming a quincunx. Flat base has three concentric circles terminating with a centrally placed Latin Cross. Body has four lines of repousee with a herring- bone pattern set between row two and three. Greenwell states that inside "was found a tinned bronze open-worked disc with a peg". The box had an iron chain attached and positioned at the skeletons right shoulder in a wooden box? (See Hurdlow and Finglesham Grave 18 where boxes were located in a similar position). The cross on the base is not mentioned in Greenwell's notes?

Grave 3

Recorded as " 2 1/4 in high and 2 1/8 in. diameter, repousee decorated. Lid ring and body have over lapped joints each with an eyelet, two figure of eight shaped chain links are attached to the body. Body has five rows of dots around it's periphery. Lid top is decorated with three concentric of circles centered around a raised boss. Base has three concentric rows of dots around what appears to be an incomplete Latin Cross of dots.

Grave 29

Recorded as " 1 3/4 in. high and 2 1/2 in. diameter ", repousee decorated. Lid ring decorated with two rows around the periphery. Body has three equal spaced lines of dots around the periphery with two rows of chevrons meeting on the central line to form a dual pattern of linked cross saltires to form a diamond pattern. This combination is evident on boxes from Dover Painted House, Finglesham Grave 8, Harford Farm Grave 18, Hawnby, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Lechlade Grave 14, Tidworth and Verulamium Grave 21. Base decorated with three concentric rows, displayed inside the centre circle is a cruciform overlying a saltire, effectively forming an eight rayed starburst. Similar star-burst patterns are evident on the lid tops or body bases on boxes from Finglesham, Wolverton and the copper-alloy disc from Ilam. The box was said to contain " two types of thread ".

Grave 30? and Grave 31?

Greenwell records two boxes in Grave 31, it is possible that one box is from the adjacent Grave 30? No details other than a "bronze box in front of the waist" and "between the thigh and shin-bone another bronze box".

Smith. R. (ed.) 1912. The Excavation by Cannon Greenwell in 1856 of an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Uncleby. East Riding of Yorkshire. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries 24, 146-158.

UPDOWN - EASTRY - KENT

Cemetery was located by aerial photography in 1973. A rescue excavation ahead of a pipe-line installation was completed in 1976, 36 graves were located. In 1989 in advance of the Eastry Bypass further excavations recorded 41 additional graves, and 13 graves from the 1973 excavation were re-opened. It is argued (Welch et al. 2008) that these burials represent only a part of a much larger cemetery, yet to be excavated.

Grave 76:34 Grave size indicates a very small child or baby?

Box 50mm diameter x 54mm height, repousee decorated. Lid ring and body have over- lapped joints, and both have a single U-shaped wire loop placed on their joints, additionally a single rivet on the body. They are bell mouthed at one end, the flat lid and body base are each secured by four rivets. Two linked, figure of eight chain placed each side of a wire ring hold the lid and body assemblies together. The decoration on the lid and base appears as a series of random dots with no discernible pattern. Lid ring has a single row around its periphery, the body four. The box contained textiles, silk, flax, and wool.

Grave 89:45 16-24 years of age.

Box c53mm diameter x 40mm height, repousee decorated. Recovered in a fragmented condition missing its body base. Lid ring and body have over- lapped joints, each secured by a single rivet and bell mouthed at one end. Lid ring is decorated with two rows of fine dots around the periphery the body assembly three. The damaged lid top has what appears to be four circular rows of dots around a raised boss. Two figure of eight chain links connected to a wire ring were recorded as accompanying the box.

Philp. B. J. and Keller. P. 2002. The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Eastry, near Dover. Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit, Dover.

Welch. M. Duhig. C. Rega. B. Crowfoot. E. Edwards. G. Morris. C. and Williams. G. 2008. Report on Excavations of the Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Updown, Eastry Kent. In S Crawford and H Hamerow (ed.) Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History 15. Oxford: Oxford University School of Archaeology.

VERULAMIUM - KING HARRY LANE - HERTFORDSHIRE

Inhumation cemetery with 39 graves excavated in 1966-1968. Located at the south-eastern end of an Iron Age cemetery and adjacent to an area of Roman cremations.

Grave 11

Box c42mm diameter x c40mm height, repousee decorated; incomplete, body damaged, lid top and body base missing. A copper-alloy fragment 25mm length x 15mm in height part of the lid ring has an over lapped joint with three vertical punched holes two with rivets in position the other empty. This is decorated with two double rows of dots set between is a cross saltire. Body with over-lapped joint has four vertical punched hole three rivets in position and one empty. Body has four rows of dots around its periphery in the zone create between rows two and three are vertical rows of dots that make blocks, some are left empty three are decorated with cross saltires. This block like form of decoration is similar to that on the North Leigh Type ll box (Oxfordshire), Two copper-alloy figure of 8 shaped chain link and a rod 52mm in length with looped ends wound back around the shank is associated with the box, and may indicate, it was originally attached to the box.

VERULAMIUM - KING HARRY LANE - HERTFORDSHIRE

Grave 21 c17-25 years of age

Figure 11

Box c 56mm diameter x 42mm height, repousee decorated, lid top and body base damaged and incomplete. Lid ring and body are constructed with over-lapped joints and riveted, the lid ring with two rivets, the body with three, one now missing. Lid ring has two rows of double dots around the periphery set between is an interlinked pattern of curvaceous shaped chevrons and diamonds. Body has three equal spaced lines of double dotted lines around the periphery with two rows of patterns as above meeting on the central line. These patterns would appear to introduce a Salin Style ll element to the geometric chevron and diamond motifs on the Dover Painted House, Finglesham Grave 8, Harford Farm Grave 18, Hawnby, Kempston Graves 46 and 71, Lechlade Grave 14, Tidworth, Uncleby Grave 29 boxes. The Ascot-under Wychwood, Ashmolean, Polhill Grave 43 and Type ll examples from Burwell Village and North Leigh and boxes are also decorated with Salin Style II interlacing. Lid top and body base carry the same unique decorative pattern. A single circular row of dots, inside a quincunx the raised bosses enclosed in single circles of dots. These are overlaid with a cross formed by twin lines of dots each terminating in a crescent shape reversed C at the end of the arms of the cross and meeting on the central raised boss of a quincunx shapes. Lid ring and body have an eyelet attached and linked together with two S shaped chain links and two wire rings. The excavator suggests that the box was suspended from the waist by an "chain of iron" in figure of 8 links with "two bronze rings " 240mm in length. The box contained "two Roman coins and an iron pin (or needle?) with twisted thread around it".

Ager. B. 1989. The Anglo-Saxon cemetery. In I M Stead and V Rigby, Verulamium: the King Harry Lane Site, English Heritage Archaeological Report No 12. London: English Heritage, 219-239.

Figure 11

Verulamium (Hertfordshire) Grave 21 Type I after Ager 1989, artistically decorated suggestive of Salin Style II

WESTFIELD FARM - ELY - CAMBRIDGESHIRE

WOLVERTON - BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Grave 2 c15-17 years of age

Small inhumation cemetery containing 15 burials excavated in 2006 in advance of a housing development.

53mm diameter x 57mm height, repousee decorated, lid ring missing, over- lapped body joint secured by four rivets, body bell mouthed at one end to accommodate the base by metal clenching. A hinge and catch are riveted to the body joint, the corresponding components (possibly fitted to the missing lid ring) are absent; above and below this hinge assembly is a wire loop both have an elongated ‘S’ shaped chain link attached. The hinged lid assembly is a feature it shares with Arncliffe, Finglesham Grave 8 and Wolverton 2168 Type 1 boxes. Body decorated with four dotted lines of repousee. Both lid and base are flat and fragmented, both are decorated with three concentric circles of repousee around the circumference. A re-assessment of the inner circle on the fragmented lid top and base indicates an equal armed Latin cross was originally part of the iconography. A series of small randomly placed dotted lines connect the two outer circles body base. This element of decoration is similar to Harford Farm Grave 18 Type l box.

Lucy. S. Newman. R. Dodwell. N. Hills. C. Dekker. M. O'Connell. T, Riddler. I. and Walton Rogers. P.W. 2009. The burial of a princess? The latter seventh century at Westfield Farm, Antiquaries Journal, 89, 81-141.

Grave 2168 (Find number 95) Grave 2005

The remains of box recovered appears to be similar and the same size to that from Grave 2168 without the hinged lid and runes. Due to the fragile nature of the broken component parts and missing the box body, it was not possible to attempt a reconstruction.

Figure 12

Site excavated in advance of a development in 2008.The cemetery contained eighty-three inhumations and two cremation burials.

One of two Type l boxes from this cemetery the other from Grave 2005. Box recovered in a fragmented condition 40mm diameter x 60mm length, repousee decorated with runes incised on the body and unrecognizable symbols on the lid ring. It has a hinged lid assembly a feature shared with the Arncliffe, Finglesham Grave 8 and Westfield Farm Grave 2 Type1 boxes. Body and lid ring are bell mouthed at one end with over-lapped joints. The hinge is positioned on the lid ring by two vertically placed rivets, the corresponding component with four, two either side of the joint.

Both have dotted lines around their periphery the lid ring with two on the body with three. Additionally, between the second and third line on the body is a runic inscription BUG[I?]TN and unidentifiable symbols. Box has a convex lid top and body base decorated with an eight rayed starburst around a raised central boss. Similar star-burst decorations are evident on the lid top or body base of boxes from Finglesham Grave 8, Uncleby Grave 29 and the copper-alloy disc reused as a pendant from Ilam.

Portable Antiquities Scheme. 2008. Bucks-337D73

Archaeology in Milton Keynes. (undated) Archaeological Services & Consultancy Service Limited. Milton Keynes.

Hancock. A. J. Zeepvat. R. J 2018. Wulfhere's people. Buckingham Archaeology Society Monograph Series No 11.

Figure 12

Wolverton (Buckinghamshire) Grave 2168 after PAS BUC-337D72 with runes and a hinged lid.

YATESBURY - CHERHILL - WILTSHIRE

Double burial

Secondary burials in pre-historic mound, discovered 4th August 1849 while lowering a barrow in aptly named Barrow Field. Described by its finder Mr. H. Shergold "There was a little box of metal 3" long; it had a lid at one end, and a chain fixed in the middle, and it had been fastened to the end where it opened; it was round". On this description the box has been interpretated as a Type l.

Merewether. J. 1849. Diary of the examination of barrows and other earthworks in the neighborhood of Silbury Hill and Avebury in July and August 1849. in Memoirs illustrative of the history and antiquities of Wiltshire and the City of Salisbury, communicated to the annual general meeting of the Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland held at Salisbury 1851: 96-97. London.