NHER 4412 (Monument record) - Early Saxon cremation cemetery

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Summary

At sometime prior to 1901 a possible Early Saxon cremation cemetery was discovered in Wereham. Several urns were recovered, and later in about 1920 a human burial was recorded at the same site. Subsequent metal detecting during 1999-2000 found a possible Roman key handle, Early Saxon florid cruciform brooch, Early Saxon gusset plate and a Middle Saxon/Late Saxon strap end. These finds would fit with the interpretation that a cemetery was located at this spot in Wereham.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF60SE
Civil Parish WEREHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK
Civil Parish WEST DEREHAM, WEST NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Before 1901. Possible cremation cemetery not precisely located.
British Museum plain urn from gravel pit 4.3m (14ft) from surface. NCM plain urn 19.7cm (4.75in) high and 13.3cm (5.25in) diameter probably from Wereham.
Held as part of the Beloe Collection. See (S1).
Information from Blandor, formerly custodian at Dartmouth Castle, Devon.
Two pots formerly held by Mr Barrow of West Dereham around 1870-1900 (1939) (missing 1957).
See (S2), (S3) and (S4).
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

R. R. Clarke (NCM) says perhaps site is Stoke Ferry [1]. In around 1920 a human burial was found in a seated position approximately 3.1m (10ft) from the surface. Alleged to have been investigated by Cambridge archaeologists.
R. R. Clarke (NCM).

See NHER 4387 for a similar reference to a skeleton suggesting there is confusion here.

1999-2000. Metal detecting. Context 1 at [2].
Roman ?key handle.
Early Saxon florid cruciform brooch (S5).
Early Saxon gusset plate (S6).
Middle Saxon/Late Saxon strap end (S7).
See list, drawings and copy of email in file.
A. Rogerson (NLA) 13 September 2000.

  • --- Article in Serial: Clarke, R. R. 1940. Norfolk in the Dark Ages, 400-800 A.D., Part II. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXVII Pt II pp 215-249. p 242.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Early Saxon. Wereham.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Human Skeletal Remains (HSR). Wereham.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TF 60 SE 5; TF 60 SE 9 [2].
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Publication: Rye, W. 1909. Catalogue of Antiquities Found Principally in East Anglia. No 53.
  • <S2> Monograph: 1901. The Victoria History of Norfolk. The Victoria History of the Counties of England. Vol 1. p 325.
  • <S3> Article in Serial: Williams, J. F. 1929. An Early Site at Stoke Ferry. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXIII pp 16-18. p 17.
  • <S4> Article in Serial: Clarke, R. R. and Myres, J. N. L. 1939. Norfolk in the Dark Ages, 400-800 A.D., Part I. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXVII, Pt II pp 163- 214. p 212.
  • <S5> Illustration: Holness, A. 2000. Drawing of an Early Saxon copper alloy florid cruciform brooch fragment. Film. 2:1.
  • <S6> Illustration: Holness, A. 2000. Drawing of an Early Saxon copper alloy gusset plate. Film. 2:1.
  • <S7> Illustration: Holness, A. 2000. Drawing of a Middle/Late Saxon copper alloy strap end. Film. 2:1.
  • KEY (LOCKING) (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • BROOCH (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • POT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • SLEEVE CLASP (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)
  • STRAP END (Middle Saxon to Late Saxon - 651 AD to 1065 AD)

Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Oct 16 2019 12:56PM

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