Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-09T20:33:34.559Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Some Saxon Remains found near Stoke Ferry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2013

Get access

Extract

In October last, I was visiting the gravel pits in this neighbourhood, and on reaching one in the parish of Wretton, about half a mile west of Stoke Ferry, one of the men mentioned some bones and an iron spearhead they had found some time previously. I asked to see them, and was taken to another part of the workings, where on a ledge near the surface of the ground was a small hole dug into the face of the pit. Projecting from the hole was a large bone, and stuck into the earth at the side, the spearhead. As they seemed to value their find very lightly, I gave the men a trifle and brought away the articles, asking them to keep any further finds for me.

Some six weeks after, I paid them another visit. Nothing further had been done at this particular spot; two of the men, however, volunteered to dig into the side and see if there was anything else. At the first blow of the pick another large bone was unearthed, a practically complete femur. Soon after this an iron knife blade came to light, then on the right side of the body an iron shield boss, and near the head a small iron knife. No other relics were found beyond a few pieces of bone, all with the exception of the two femurs in a very friable state. Three small pieces of the cranium were all that remained of that part. One arm appeared to have been extended above the head, as part of a humerus was lying upright on the remains of the skull. The spearhead must have been near the feet, as it was found first.

Type
Original Papers
Copyright
Copyright © The Prehistoric Society 1913

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)