Medieval History
Archaeological excavations on the site of the Hyderabad and Meeanee barracks off Mersea Road in Colchester have revealed a number of burials including two ?spearmen? likely to be of Germanic, possibly Saxon, origin. The two men had each been equipped with a round shield and a spear. One of them also had a dagger held in a belt around his waist. They were laid to rest on their backs with their shields on their chests and their spears by their sides. The wooden parts of the weapons have almost completely decayed away but the ironwork (mainly shield bosses, spear heads and the dagger) survived in situ. The men were not buried with metal helmets or body armour although they may have worn cheaper leather alternatives instead.
The burials are part of a cemetery of unknown extent only part of which as yet been examined. At least than eleven burials have been identified in the current phase of work. More are expected to be found when excavations resume later in the year.
Click here to read this article from the Colchester Archaeologist
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Medieval History
Anglo-Saxon warrior burials ? a link with late Roman Colchester?
Archaeological excavations on the site of the Hyderabad and Meeanee barracks off Mersea Road in Colchester have revealed a number of burials including two ?spearmen? likely to be of Germanic, possibly Saxon, origin. The two men had each been equipped with a round shield and a spear. One of them also had a dagger held in a belt around his waist. They were laid to rest on their backs with their shields on their chests and their spears by their sides. The wooden parts of the weapons have almost completely decayed away but the ironwork (mainly shield bosses, spear heads and the dagger) survived in situ. The men were not buried with metal helmets or body armour although they may have worn cheaper leather alternatives instead.
The burials are part of a cemetery of unknown extent only part of which as yet been examined. At least than eleven burials have been identified in the current phase of work. More are expected to be found when excavations resume later in the year.
Click here to read this article from the Colchester Archaeologist
- Newly Discovered Anglo-saxon Grave May Be Evidence Of 7th-century Monastery
Archaeological work being done at St.Hilda's Church in Hartlepool has turned up an Anglo-Saxon grave. Other burials from the Early Modern period were also found, as the church is digging up a section of its floor to install a new heating system. The...
- Viking Boat Burial Site Discovered In Scotland
Great Britain?s first fully intact Viking boat burial site has been discovered by archaeologists working in northwest Scotland. The 5 meter-long grave contained the remains of a high status Viking, who was buried with an axe, a sword with a beautifully...
- Colchester Castle Receives £3.2m For Restoration Work
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £3,267,400 towards a major redevelopment of Colchester Castle, Essex. The medieval fortress, built in the eleventh century, is one of the best surviving examples of Norman architecture in England. ?This is fantastic...
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The University of Winchester?s archaeological excavations at St Mary Magdalen, on the outskirts of Winchester, have revealed evidence for what may be Britain?s earliest known hospital. Recent radio carbon analysis at the former Leper Hospital has provided...
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Colchester Castle and Torre Abbey are among two historic sites that have been granted money by England's Heritage Lottery Fund, which will the medieval landmarks to carry out plans for ambitious projects. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced...