With contributions by David Birkett, Carol Brown, Mandy Marlow, Sally Parker, Wendy Sherlock and Penelope Walton.
Report on the first large-scale excavation of an almost complete Anglo-Saxon cemetery, located in the frontier zone between Bernicia, the northernmost of the Northumbrian kingdoms, and Deira. Of the 120 burials recorded three were inhumations and the rest urned cremations. Grave finds cover most of the sixth century AD and possibly the early seventh, and indicate close links with sites from the Tyne valley in the north to Anglian England.
Author(s): Stephen J. Sherlock, Martin G. Welch
Series: Council for British Archaeology. CBA Research Reports, 82
Publisher: Council for British Archaeology
Year: 1992
Language: English
Pages: 238
City: London
List of Figures ii
List of Tables v
List of Plates vi
List of Colour Microfiche vii
Acknowledgements viii
Summary ix
1. Introduction
Discovery of Grave 1 1
Archaeology and early history of Norton 1
Previous discoveries of Anglo-Saxon burials in north-east England 2
The historical context and place-name evidence 6
2. The excavation
Methodology 10
Pre-cemetery excavated features 12
Layout of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery 14
Grave structures and dimensions 22
Graves intercut by other features and multiple burials 23
Prone and crouched burial 26
Disturbed burials 30
Cremation burials 30
3. The grave finds
Weapons:
Spearheads and ferrules 31
Shield bosses and fittings 33
Seax 34
Dress fittings and ornaments:
Cruciform brooches 35
Small-long brooch 40
Applied saucer brooch 40
Penannular brooches 41
Annular brooches 41
Dress pins with spangles and hair pins 42
Beads and related pendants 42
Bracelets 47
Clasps or wrist-clasps 49
Buckles and belt sets 50
Personal equipment:
Knives 51
Latchlifter-keys and girdle-hangers 51
Toilet implements 53
Combs 54
Bag and purse fittings 54
Other rings 54
Amulets 54
Vessels:
The Anglo-Saxon pottery by Wendy Sherlock 54
Wooden bowls 55
Bucket 55
Repoussé bosses and punched decoration 56
Textile remains by Penelope Walton 57
Conservation report and technological examination by Carol E. Brown 61
4. The social structure of the Norton cemetery 73
5. The Norton cemetery in its national and international context 103
6. The human remains
The population by Mandy Marlow 107
Skeletal pathology by David Birkett 118
Cremations by Sally Parker 119
7. Grave catalogue 121
Bibliography 219
