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The Iron Age Mirror Burial at Pegsdon, Shillington, Bedfordshire: An Interim Account

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

Gilbert Burleigh ,
Vincent Megaw ,
Helen Ashworth  and
Mansel Spratling
Gilbert Burleigh
Affiliation:
10 Cromwell Way, Pirton, Hitchin SG5 3RD, UK. E-mail: .
Vincent Megaw
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5001, Australia. E-mail: .
Helen Ashworth
Affiliation:
Heritage Network, II Furmston Court, Icknield Way, Letchworth SG6 1UJ, UK. E-mail: .
Mansel Spratling
Affiliation:
73 Coolidge Gardens, Cottenham, Cambridge CB24 8RQ, UK.
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Abstract

In November 2000 metal detectorists located a decorated copper-alloy mirror, a single silver Knotenfibel brooch and some pottery sherds at Pegsdon, Shillington, Bedfordshire. Subsequent excavation of the findspot uncovered a Late Iron Age cremation burial pit associated with further pot sherds and a single fragment of calcined bone. The opportunity is taken in this preliminary account to revisit both the occurrence in southern England of the brooch type and to discuss the mirror's decoration in relation to the variation of views as to the British mirror series as a whole, and in particular with regard to other recent mirror discoveries. The burial is discussed in its local context and the possible significance of the topography in relation to the site is highlighted.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Antiquaries Journal , Volume 87 , September 2007 , pp. 109 - 140
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 2007

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References

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