Anglo-Saxon Cemeteries at Eriswell (RAF Lakenheath)
Excavation of three
early Anglo Saxon cemeteries at RAF Lakenheath between 1997
and 2002 uncovered a total of 394 inhumation and 17 cremation
burials; the inclusion of burials from earlier excavations by
Grace, Lady Briscoe, gives a total of 446. Cemeteries ERL 104
and 114 were almost fully excavated with the majority of the
cemetery limits exposed, but only the southern and western
limits of ERL 046 were contained within the excavation. Small
areas of all three cemeteries remain preserved below roads,
buildings and grass.
A high proportion of the
inhumations produced grave goods ranging from individual beads
and iron knives, through full weapons burials and furnished
female graves to animal sacrifices. The most exotic burials
were two cases in which men were buried in graves within small
ring-ditches and accompanied by their horses. The first of
these burials from site ERL 104 aroused much excitement,
receiving international media coverage. It included in situ
gilded bronze bridle fittings, the first time this has been
found in Britain.
The vast majority of burials were east-west aligned, and supine
extended or flexed. There was little rigid order to the burials on
site ERL 104, although short lines can be seen in certain areas.
Most of the burials on ERL 046 were clearly aligned in rows and the
‘wealthier’ burials seemed to be grouped to the west end of the
cemetery. Two Bronze Age inhumations excavated within a circular
area devoid of Saxon burials in the centre of ERL 114 were
indicators of the prehistoric burial mound which was to become the
focus of this cemetery. This is the largest group of Early
Anglo-Saxon burials excavated in Suffolk and one of the largest in
the country in modern times. More than half the burials have been
assessed as in fair condition or better, thus representing the
largest group of reasonably preserved Anglo-Saxon skeletons in
Suffolk, and one of the largest in the country in modern times. The
date range of the cemetery group as a whole has been provisionally
identified as late 5th to early 7th century AD and grave goods
typical of both the Migration and Conversion Periods have been
recorded.
The intensity of development at RAF Lakenheath means that there
is an unusually high degree of recently excavated settlement and
landscape information available to provide a context for the
cemeteries. Evidence of settlement, with dwellings and occupation
deposits, from the 6th to the 8th centuries has been found nearby,
and dense late Roman settlement lies within 500m. There is evidence
of extensive field systems showing a continuity of land use in this
area dating from the prehistoric to medieval periods. The possible
presence of some ditches contemporary with the cemetery use may
provide evidence for the wider landscape around the cemeteries
during the Early Saxon period.
The excavation of three adjacent cemeteries is a rare occurrence
and 
these form the largest
Anglo-Saxon cemetery sample available for modern analysis.
Study of it is likely to increase the possibility of deriving
good evidence for debate on gender, class, ethnicity and
social organisation within rural Anglo-Saxon communities, an
eventuality which will be enhanced by the good state of
preservation and the apparent completeness of the cemeteries.
Assessment has shown that the excavated evidence has good
potential to contribute greatly to the understanding of Early
Saxon population studies, funerary ritual, social structures,
artefact studies and the relationship between cemetery,
settlement and the wider historic landscape. The significance
of these sites and the value of the information contained
within them cannot be overstated.
Contact details:
Richenda Goffin and Jo Caruth
Post-Excavation Manager and Senior Project Officer
Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service
Shire Hall
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 2AR
Telephone: 01284 352446
Email:
richenda.goffin@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk
or
joanna.caruth@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk