Roman inhumation at Red Barn Field (EHER 6804)

A Roman inhumation was discovered in 1800; the finds consisted of a skeleton, with an iron sword, a bronze ewer, patera and knob, three Samian vessels, a coin and a nail. This was possibly a secondary burial, which had destroyed and earlier 1st century cremation.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Skeleton, with broken iron sword on breast, found here in 1800 during ditching by a labourer. It was found with the following: a bronze ewer 6" or 7" high; a bronze patera 6" across with a handle 4 or 5" long ending in a dog's head; a bronze knob with long tang; three Samian vessels (ff 22, 27, 35); and an imperfect coin. The vessels are 1st century in date, but do not fit well with the skeleton and sword as an inhumation; an inhumation would be remarkable at this early date. Perhaps there was a secondary burial, which had destroyed an earlier cremation. One of the pottery cups had a large piece missing. After discovery the objects were acquired by Thomas Walford, who replaced the handle on the bronze bowl, their present whereabouts is not known. VCH has photos of the original illustrations of the ewer, patera, and handle. <1> - <5> The Samian vessels comprised two plain and one decorated cup. The 'bronze knob' of the VCH is here described as a nail. A 'Red Barn Field' was located by the OS in 1950, 400m west of Berwick Hall Farm. This is probably the one where the finds were made. OS field officer suggested that the burial was found in a ditch forming the field's southern boundary. The patera and handle were found separately (perhaps there were originally two pateras). SMR has copies of illustrations, including the nail, Samian cups, sword, and objects (as VCH). <6> <7> May 1950. Field visit. Land belonging to Bradfield's Farm is now farmed by Cust Hall and Berwick Hall Farms. There is a Red Barn Field about 400 metres due west of Berwick Hall Farm at TL 731 371. Presumably the burial camp from the ditch forming the south boundary of this field. <8> <9> See also: <10> - <12>