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Record Details

NHER Number:6076
Type of record:Monument
Name:Early Saxon cremation cemetery

Summary

An Early Saxon cremation cemetery, with nearly 100 separate burials, was found in a pit sometime between the late 17th and mid-18th centuries. Recent geophysical analysis in 2001 has revealed the presence of pit-like features on the site. Metal detecting in 2002 produced nine Roman coins

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TL 93 83
Map Sheet:TL98SW
Parish:BRETTENHAM, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Full description

Around 1753, 1763 and in the 1840s. Cremation cemetery of about 100 urns discovered.
The exact location of the site is unknown, but apparently it is west of the Peddars Way.
See (S5 and S6).

Early Saxon cremation cemetery, discovered in the late 17th or mid 18th century.
Also report of 'Roman coffin' with Roman coins and pottery, may be a different site.
See (S1).
E. Rose, (NAU) 15 December 1983.

August 2001. GSB geophysical survey.
Recorded anomalys of a recent linear, linear and pit type responses, ferrous anomalies and magnetic disturbance associated with a hollow.
See report (S2) for further details. The results of this survey are also summarised in (S3).
D. Gurney (NLA), 22 August 2001.

August to October 2001. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks for new stable and staff block.
No archaeological results.
See report (S4) for further details.
J. Allen (NLA), 28 January 2002.

Before 2 June 2002. Metal detecting.
Nine Roman coins. See list in file
E. Darch (NLA) 2 December 2008

January 2011. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of ditches possibly associated with the fields recorded through the geophysical survey (S2) have been identified within this field on aerial photographs. See NHER 54567 for details.
S. Horlock (NMP), 28 January 2011.

Monument Types

  • INHUMATION (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • CEMETERY (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
  • CREMATION (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)
  • CREMATION CEMETERY (Early Saxon - 410 AD to 650 AD)

Associated Finds

  • COFFIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • POT (Early Saxon - 411 AD to 650 AD)

Protected Status

  • SHINE

Sources and further reading

---Article in Serial: 1920. Summary of Proceedings. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society of East Anglia. Vol III Pt II (for 1919-20) pp 315-322. p 319.
---Article in Serial: Clarke, R. R. and Moore, I. E. 1937. The Roman Villages at Brettenham and Needham and the Contemporary Road System. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XXVI Pt II pp 123-163. pp 125-128.
---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. pp 206-209.
---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. pp 229-230.
---Monograph: Bryant, T. H. 1913. Hundred of Shropham. The Churches of Norfolk.
---Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TL 88 SW 20 [3].
---Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
---Serial: Stukeley. Stukeley's Diaries.. Vol III.
---Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Early Saxon. Breetenham.
---Secondary File: Secondary File.
---Serial: 1858. Proceedings of the Archaeological Institute. Volfor 1847. vol.XXVIII.
---Collection: Norfolk Historic Environment Record Staff. 1975-[2000]. HER Record Notes. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
<S1>Unpublished Document: Burton, G., Rev.. 1794. An account of Rushford Anglo Saxon Cemetery.
<S2>Unpublished Contractor Report: GSB Prospection. 2001. Geophysical Survey Report. Home Farm, Shadwell and Money Field II, Brettenham, Norfolk. GSB Prospection. 2001/81.
<S3>Article in Serial: Gurney, D. and Penn, K. (eds). 2002. Excavations and Surveys in Norfolk, 2001. Norfolk Archaeology. Vol XLIV Pt I pp 162-177. p 164.
<S4>Unpublished Contractor Report: Underdown, S. 2001. Report on an Archaeological Watching Brief at Nunnery Stud, Home Farm, Brettenham. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 677.
<S5>Illustration: Unknown. Unknown. Drawings of an Early Saxon urn.. Card. 1:20.
<S6>Illustration: Unknown. Unknown. Drawing of an Early Saxon urn.. Card. 1:20.

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