Medieval Archaeology 14

TL 180485. Several 5th-early 6th century cremation urns and other pottery from Sandy are published together for the first time and their significance is discussed, together with that of a silver bracelet. Au(abr)

Archaeology supports what we learn from Dicuil and the Sagas about the early settlement of the Faroes. Place-names and cross-slabs of ?8th century tend to confirm the presence of Irish priests, and the Norse settlers of c 800 have been revealed by chance finds and by excavations at farmsteads, typical long, sub-rectangular houses with curving turf-and-stone walls. Their economy was based on farming with fishing and fowling also important. Gravegoods are generally rare but one cemetery yielded a ?10th century Celtic ring-headed pin and a few other metal objects. Trade contacts with the British Isles and Norway are evident from coin-finds. Some shielings have been identified, one of which produced Viking-style pottery.

A summary of present knowledge of Anglo-Saxon burhs incorporates the most recent topographical, historical and archaeological work. The emergence of the burh can be attributed largely to Alfred, the system being extended in early 10th century to Mercia. The burhs are of varied character and fall into three main groups - rebuilt Roman towns, sites determined by topography and rectangular defensive sites. The Alfredan burhs with rectangular earthen defences enclosing under 100 acres probably represent the norm for this period - Wallingford, Cricklade and perhaps Wareham being the best examples. Where there is serious discrepancy between the Burghal Hideage figures and the measured wall length (as there often is) it must be concluded that the Hideage basic figure represents an ideal strength not always achieved in practice, and meant to be supplemented in warfare by the field army. Stone walls were not added to these early burhs until 11th century, but grid street plans often date from the foundation, and a minster church was probably regularly included (see also 72/1480, 72/1482). C M H

TL 381009. The single-arch bridge over the lower mill stream at Waltham Abbey was excavated in advance of roadworks. The bridge had three double-chamfered ribs set skew to the abutments. The springers were of Caen stone; the ribs and ashlar facing of the abutments were of Kentish ragstone. The abutments were set on oak sill-plates and staggered rows of elm piles. Bank revetting and coffer-dam timbers were also found. The bridge is compared with the nearby single-arch Stony Bridge. A mid-14th century date is established by dendrochronology. Documentary study has enabled phases in the development of the watercourse system to be postulated. Specialist appendices: dendrochronology, pottery (medieval), animal bones and freshwater mollusca (see also 72/1322). Au