NHER 69284 (Monument record) - Graves of probable medieval or later date, disarticulated human remains and other unstratified finds within churchyard of St Mary the Virgin's Church

Churchyard of St Mary the Virgin's Church (NHER 10779).

April 1986.
It was reported that a Roman coin and a medieval coin had been found within this churchyard, at [1]. However information subsequently received from the finder suggests these objects actually came from the field to the north (NHER 22371).
Information from record notes for NHER 10779 (S1).
Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 26 August 2025.

May 2010. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with installation of new storm-water drainage for south porch of church.
The two soakaways excavated both exposed particularly deep, relatively homogenous graveyard soils beneath the present topsoil. Although no articulated remains were encountered, more than 350 pieces of disarticulated human bone were collected, showing this to be an intensively used and much disturbed portion of the cemetery. One of the soakaways also exposed part of a brick-built tomb of probable late post-medieval date, which was left in-situ. The shallower connecting drainage trenches revealed nothing of interest.
See report (S2) for further details.
Previously recorded under NHER 10779.
S. Howard (HES), 2011. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 26 August 2025.

October-November 2016. Watching Brief.
Maintained during groundworks associated with installation of sewerage system for new kitchenette and disabled toilet within church tower.
The main element of this new sewerage system was a 'trench arch drain', which was installed to the south of the church, following the line of an existing path. Natural deposits were not reached, with only graveyard soils disturbed. Although the outlines of several graves became distinguishable towards the base of the trench, no articulated remains were encountered. Groups of disarticulated bones noted at one end of the trench probably represented remains that had been disturbed by grave diggers and placed within the backfill of the later graves. Only one grave cut was identifiable within the narrower, shallower trench connecting this drain to the church tower. This trench also encountered a rubble layer close to the church that probably related to one of the more recent restoration campaigns.
Notably, the unstratified finds recovered during these external works include several Roman pottery sherds and a group of Roman brick and tile fragments – all of which came from the area to the south of the church. A small number of medieval and medieval/post-medieval pottery sherds were also found, along with brick and tile fragments of probable post-medieval date, a single fragment of fired clay daub or render and an undatable iron nail.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS. HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 25 August 2025.