Early Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery, Cam Valley Crematorium (EHER 80748)

Excavations in 2017 in advance of the construction of the Cam Valley Crematorium revealed six early Anglo-Saxon inhumations, located in close proximity to two or more Bronze Age round barrows. The grave-goods buried with one of these six individuals suggests that they were of high social status, with access to significant resources. It is likely that these six inhumations represent part of a larger cemetery, the remainder of which has been destroyed by agricultural activity.

March-June 2017. Controlled Strip and Excavation. Excavations in advance of the construction of the Cam Valley Crematorium revealed six early Anglo-Saxon inhumations, located in close proximity to Bronze Age round barrows (EHER 4791). Five of the graves were in close proximity, whereas the sixth was located just inside the northernmost ring ditch. All of the graves had been extremely truncated by ploughing. All of the burials contained grave-goods, and one included a necklace made from gold and silver pendants with glass beads, evidence of a clasped purse, lace trims and a wooden and copper alloy vessel, suggesting that this individual was of high social status. The other burials also had grave goods but of a lesser value and included an iron dagger, copper alloy buckle and a single bead. SK001: This skeleton was located on the summit of the hill, at the highest point. Initial investigation revealed that these were the remains of a young adult female on a north-east to south-west orientation with the head toward the southwest. The majority of the skeleton was present; mainly the finger and toe bones were missing due to taphonomic factors and ploughing. The remains were in a supine position with the left forearm laid across the torso. The cut of the grave was sub-rectangular in shape with horizontal sides, although there was some disturbance on the northern side due to rooting and burrows. The grave contained a number of high status grave goods suggesting the importance of this person in life. These grave goods were predominantly personal adornments, including jewellery and accessories. To the left of the head was placed a wooden copper alloy and iron bucket and on the other side were the remnants of a necklace that contained nine glass beads, a gold bead and gold and silver pendants. The grave goods suggest a date of 6th-7th century for the burial. There was evidence of some sort of deposit under the right hand as there was a noticeable change of colour and texture and became purple/grey in colour once exposed. SK002: This skeleton was recovered to the east of SK001 and contained the remains of a young adult female in a supine position and orientated north northwest-south southeast with the head towards the south. The majority of the skeleton was present apart from the left arm and left ribs. The grave goods included an iron chain, rod and iron hemisphere, which could represent a bell or small container, and an iron key. The cut of the grave was rectangular and larger than required. The skeleton was placed diagonally across it, leaving space at the left should and to the right of the feet, perhaps indicating that organic products were positioned there. SK003: The skeleton was recovered 10m northwest of SK001 with the body orientated north-north-west – south-southeast in an extended supine position with the legs slightly bent, and the head towards the south. The remains were in poor condition and the grave was severely truncated, probably due to the stripping of the area for excavation that resulted with the right arm and feet missing. The condition of the teeth and evidence of the pelvis suggest that this was an elderly female. The most interesting factor about these remains is that the left arm, including scapula and hand were removed prior to internment and was placed across the lower torso/upper legs. The bones were articulated therefore the limb still had flesh when it was placed there. The arm had been placed prone and bent in a triangular shape, with the scapula placed just above the knees in between the legs and the hand resting on the right side of the pelvis, with the elbow on the left side of the body. Grave goods consisted a decorated glass bead that was recovered from the upper left side of the body. SK004: The skeleton was recovered to the west of SK001, approximately 15m and contained an adult male in a crouched position on his left side. The hands and feet were on top of each other (right on top of left) with the skull facing forwards. The grave cut was orientated north-south with the head towards the north. The grave goods consisted of an iron knife with a curved blade that was placed at the waist along with a copper alloy buckle. The buckle has some textile attached to it which could provide information about adornment. Several other iron objects were also recovered; they were mainly non-diagnostic apart from a pin and possible rivet. SK005: In the northern part of the area, adjacent to Area 4, the grave of SK005 was recorded approximately 15m southeast from SK001; orientated northwest-southeast with the skull facing northeast. The large grave cut contained the skeleton of a young child, approximately 1 to 2 years old, in a supine position with legs bent. The right arm was placed at the side and the left arm was across the waist area. The bones were in a poor state of preservation, probably due to their size, and were placed in an a very large grave cut compared to the size of the skeleton. This could suggest the placement of organic grave goods although no remains apart from charcoal could be ascertained from the environmental evidence. SK006: The grave was cut into the slumping of the large pit against the interior of the ring ditch in Area 3. This suggests that the mound could have been the focus of later burials, which have now been lost due to subsequent periods of agricultural activity. The orientation of the grave was northeast – southwest with the head being towards the southwest. The remains were in an extended supine position with the skull facing to the right, and both the left and right hand were placed on their left hip. The condition of the teeth and the pelvis suggest that this was an adult male, and as it contained no grave goods the date cannot be ascertained, however due to the grave being cut into the upper layers of slumping into the pit and ring ditch, it can be surmised that it could potentially be similar in date to those remains found on the summit of the hill in area 4, some 60m to the south. See <1> for further details.