Late Iron Age to Roman cremation in amphora at Lindsell (EHER 17454)

Complete Roman amphora dug up in Lindsell field in 1782

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Complete Roman red amphora "Dug up in a field at Lindsell, Essex in 1782, containing pieces of burnt bones, together with ashes and Earth. Drawing in Saffron Walden Museum's Accession register and description says "This Urn or Amphora was dug up in the Parish of Thaxted in Essex in the year 1782 with another also at the same time and place. The latter was broken to pieces by the men at the time. They lay nearly together about 18" below the surface in an inclined direction. The complete wood ashes and coals mixed with earth; coals were also found about the place. This urn or Amphora would contain 6 gallons of wine, is 4 ft. High and 3ft. In circumference" The complete urn has accession No. CCXXXX; The fragmentary urn is CCXXIX. The description is written by W. Clarence <1> - <5> VCH reports that the complete urn was given to the museum in 1840 " A spindle amphora of red clay and unusual form. It belongs to the mid 1st century and contained pieces of burnt bone and ashes. Form: Cam f.181". <6> VCH also reports two fragments of Amphora given to Saffron Walden Museum in 1835: One was a handle of f.187 stamped PNN, the other, now missing, a spike of spindle- type f.185 or 186. <6> <7> See also: <9> - <11>