Series: York Osteoarchaeology Ltd unpublished report series

York Osteoarchaeology Ltd was commissioned by MAP Archaeological Practice to carry out the osteological analysis of 164 skeletons, one cremation burial and associated disarticulated bone excavated in 2015 and 2017 at Burnby Lane, Pocklington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire (NGR SE 805 489).In total, 123 Iron Age and 44 Anglian skeletons were excavated at Burnby Lane, as well as one Anglian cremation burial and 211 disarticulated bones, the latter of which could not be dated and were likely of mixed date.A minimum of 128 individuals was calculated based on the disarticulated and articulated bones from both phases combined. This included 108 adults, and twenty non-adults (a foetus/perinate, one perinate/infant, 3 younger juveniles, 8 older juveniles, 8 adolescents). The preservation of skeletons from both phases was poor, which had a negative impact on completeness and caused the likely loss of some pathological changes.Iron Age PopulationThe Iron Age population was interred in two clusters. Most individuals were buried in barrows, which were largely square, though seven circular barrows were excavated in the northeastern cluster. A small number of individuals were buried in wooden boxes. Two double burials were found – one contained two intermingled children, while the other was a burial of a young female who was probably pregnant with a foetus/perinate in the pelvic area. The majority of individuals were interred in north to south orientations in crouched positions on their left sides, though a range of positions and orientations were observed.Less than half the population had surviving grave goods, and these tended to be relatively modest, including animal bone, pottery and organic residue, however, a small number of graves included brooches, bracelets and spears, while one individual was interred with a sword and most remarkably, one male adult was buried with a chariot and two ponies.Only 11.4% of the Iron Age population was made up of non-adults, in particular older juveniles and adolescents, as well as two foetuses/perinates. Adult age was difficult to estimate due to the poor preservation, with one quarter of adults having to be assigned to the generic adult age group. The remainder were largely aged 36 years or older, followed by the eighteen to 35 year group, with a tendency of males outliving females - perhaps due to dangers associated with childbirth. The proportion of females to males was similar. Female living height compared well with the average for the period, while the stature of the only male whose height could be calculated was considerably taller than the male mean Iron Age height.Many of the Anglian burials were inserted into the Iron Age barrows, though several flat graves were also identified. Most individuals were aligned with their heads to the west and the feet to the east, though a wide range of orientations was observed. The position of the skeleton in the grave varied considerably, with burial on the right side with the legs flexed or extended supine position being most common.Most skeletons were found with surviving grave goods. These included brooches, beads, iron and copper alloy objects, which were most common in female graves, with knives and buckles being most frequent in male burials.A quarter of the Anglian population was made up of non-adults, who were mostly in the older juvenile group, followed by adolescents and younger juveniles. Children under the age of one year were not observed. A similar non-adult demographic profile was observed at West Heslerton. A quarter of the adults could not be aged more precisely. The majority of adults were in the mature adult category, followed by the young middle adult age groups, with females outliving males. Slightly more males were recovered compared with females. The living height of two males and three females was taller than the British mean.