Series: Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph Series

Hulton Abbey was a minor Cistercian monastery in north Staffordshire, founded in 1219 and finally dissolved in 1538. This is the final report on the archaeological excavations undertaken there between 1987 and 1994. In particular, the chapter house was uncovered and re-assessed and the eastern part of the church and north aisle were completely excavated, together with the eastern half of the nave. The excavations are described by area and chronological phase with detailed specialist reports including architectural stonework and decorated floor tiles. An extensive programme of sampling and analysis of pollen remains from burials was also completed. The remains of ninety-one individuals, mainly men but also women and children, are reported on in detail, with sections on abnormalities and pathology as well as medieval burial goods such as a wax chalice and wooden wands. Comparisons with other published monastic sites in the region help to place Hulton into a wider context. An important element of the project was education and community involvement and today the site lies in a small urban park in Stoke-on-Trent. Includes French and Spanish summaries, and specialist reports on

Describes the major and minor excavations performed during the period under review, catalogues the pottery, small finds and animal and plant remains, and discusses the results for our understanding of the evolution of a medieval port, particularly the effects of the changing riverline, the developing street and plot pattern, the extent of the built-up area, population estimates, defences, buildings and building materials, industry domestic occupation, the hinterland and trade connections. Four pottery phases are worked out from pre-1050 to 1600-1800.

The twenty-eight papers explore the practical life, domestic settings, landscapes and seascapes of the Viking world, with particular emphasis on new discoveries in the Scandinavian homelands and in Britain and Ireland. With a combination of disciplinary perspectives, new interpretations are presented of evidence for buildings and technology, navigation, trade and military organisation, the ideology of place, and cultural interactions and comparisons between Viking and native groups. Includes

TF 116774; SK 209346. The two villages proved remarkably similar; in each, occupation spanned the late Saxon period to 15th century, and two periods of primitive timber buildings predating 1250 were followed by more permanent framed houses on padstones. Numbers of crofts had sunken yards, two of which were confirmed as winter cattle-pens. Goltho had been a prosperous community with many good metal artefacts and a blacksmith's, and its growth was more complex than that of Barton Blount. Climatic deterioration in 13th-14th century is considered, and pottery, ironwork, horse-gear, bronzes and soils are described in detail.

SU 491301: 49413016. The two cemeteries are only 370 yards apart and it is argued that one was early and pagan, the other late and Christianising. From Site I (disturbed in 19th century and little known) came three shield bosses of 6th century. Site II, excavated in 1955-8, was in use in mid-7th century; signs of carelessness in the rites and even of pagan practices throw light on the slow process of Christianisation. Of the forty-five graves, nineteen were without grave goods, and none were richly furnished, although four had useful groups. The most interesting find was a gilt bronze disc brooch with garnets and chip-carving, made c mid-7th century but very worn when buried. Penannular brooches, linked silver pins and other ornaments have distant and scattered parallels indicating a late date when material culture was fairly uniform from Northumbria to Wessex. The cemetery went out of use when the local church became powerful enough to enforce use of a churchyard cemetery within the settlement.

Excavation of the church revealed a dozen phases, beginning in mid- to late 10th century, though a cross fragment suggests an 8th or 9th century Christian presence. The location is not easy to explain, even with six possible models of the village settlement: a pre-Christian sacred site may have been chosen. The successive enlargements and reductions of the church bear no simple relation to population changes, though after desertion of the village it was easier to remove aisles than maintain their fabric. Three township chapels were subordinate to St Martin's, and several models are suggested for the cause; they were pulled down in mid-16th despite continuance of their communities. Effects of aristocratic interest, the Reformation, etc on fabric are noted. Changes to the churchyard are insufficiently understood as yet.