Medieval Archaeology 25

ST 751649. Excavations by the North Gate revealed a 2nd century rampart later cut back for a perimeter wall and berm; beyond was a ?4th century wide ditch. Late Saxon outworks were built on the revetted lip of the recut ditch, and rebuilt later, to be demolished in 13th. A chronology is argued from stratigraphic, ceramic, and documentary evidence; reconstructions are attempted and general discussion on boundary and defensive aspects provided. Au(abr)

Excavations in Sussex Street yielded a burse-reliquary of embossed gilt copper alloy sheets tacked on to a wooden core. Date of loss: late 9th/early 10th century; date of manufacture up to a century earlier. First of this type in England.

NX 739622. Excavations revealed the full extent of the artillery-work that was wrapped around the late 14th century tower-house of the 'Black Douglas' family and suggested a date of c 1450 for its construction. Two stone buildings had been dismantled to make way for it. Other outbuildings, and industrial evidence, were recorded. Waterlogged material from the harbour deposits includes an important collection of wooden tableware, leather, animal bone, but little ceramic material. Historical and architectural description. Au(abr)

The growing list of AS settlements with adjacent cemeteries necessitates re-examination of concepts of the 'typical AS village location': in fact AS settlements 'wandered' just as settlements of other periods did. Such relocation may have stemmed from reorganization of land units. Both cemeteries and settlements are found close to parish boundaries.

SE 889986. Two gold discs and four silver strap-ends are shown to post-date the burial of Lilla (murdered AD 626) by at least two centuries. They are more likely to be a Viking Age hoard, and the BA barrow should be detached from its named association.

SE 356230. An old boat find has been conserved, reassembled, and identified as the earliest known logboat with direct evidence for fitted ribs. It would have been suitable for a passenger ferry.