Secrets of 1,500-year-old Suffolk cemetery revealed for the first time

The Anglo-Saxon Cremation Cemetery at Lackford, Suffolk: A reconsideration following excavations in 2015-16 has been published by the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service, in partnership with Historic England.

The large cemetery, where cremation was the sole rite, is the first of its kind discovered in Suffolk and one of only a handful found in the country.

Analysing human and animal bones from the site for the first time, the book reveals that the Anglo-Saxons buried there had been cremated fully clothed on a pyre.

The book also reveals details of many personal items discovered alongside some of the remains. These include glass beads, ivory bag rings, antler combs, gaming pieces, glass vessels, and metal objects such as pins, pendants, brooches and tweezers.

Although its full extent is not known, at least 1,500 individuals were likely to have been cremated and subsequently buried at the site. The cemetery is thought to have been used for generations by several small communities living along the River Lark and its tributaries, including people living at nearby West Stow.

The site was first excavated in 1947-49, and then again in 2015-16. The book explores the more recent excavations and re-examines the earlier excavation archive – giving new insights into the Anglo-Saxon cremation rite and the people buried at Lackford.

Authors of the book are Sue Anderson, Faye Minter, Jude Plouviez, Ian Riddler and Nicola Trzaska-Nartowski. They said:

“Reassessing all these items sheds new light on the fashions and grave goods in early Anglo-Saxon Suffolk, as well as the ceremonial activities involved.

“Burnt bones would have been carefully collected from the pyre site and placed in a pot. Sometimes food, such as pork, was burnt with them, and other animals such as horses were sacrificed whole on the pyre.

“The most recent excavations found the remains of 52 individuals, with men, women and children of all ages identified.”

Councillor Philip Fairclough-Mutton Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Environment, Communities and Equality, said:

“Suffolk has an amazing Anglo-Saxon past, and this latest book adds to our understanding of those people who made this county their home over 1,500 years ago.

“Thanks to the authors and Historic England, the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service has been able to produce an account of all the cremations found at Lackford to date and make them available for future research.”

The analysis and publication were supported and in part funded by Historic England.

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said:

“We’re delighted to have supported the post-excavation analysis and publication of this important publication, which gives a fascinating insight into the people buried and communities using the Lackford cremation cemetery.

“It has been so interesting to see new evidence examined alongside the older excavation archive which has led to a more comprehensive view of the pots and the finds and allowed comparison with other cemeteries, in particular Spong Hill in Norfolk.”

The most recent excavation archive will be held by the Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service and made available to future researchers. The earlier 1947-49 excavated archive is held by the Cambridge University Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology.

The Anglo-Saxon Cremation Cemetery at Lackford, Suffolk: A reconsideration following excavations in 2015-16 is available to buy online and will be available through Suffolk Community Libraries.