| Summary : An Anglo-Saxon mixed-rite cemetery located within the Ram's Hill type enclosure (TQ 00 SE 1) on Highdown Hill. Including both cremation and inhumation burials, over 150 burials have been discovered, and analysis of the accompanying grave goods, or artefacts deposited with the bodies, has indicated that the cemetery was in use during the fifth and sixth centuries AD. Buried foundations of contemporary structures, interpreted as buildings associated with the cemetery, have been found within the south eastern sector of the monument. |
More information : (TQ 09220436) Saxon Burial Ground (GT). (1)
Excavations on Highdown Hill in 1892 and 1939 revealed a Saxon
cemetery consisting of 86 graves dated to 6th c AD. The cemetery
extended to the outer rampart of the camp (TQ 00 SE 1) and all
the graves were in an E-W direction. (Wilson however says
they were not all orientated). An unusual feature of the site
was the association of glass vessels with the interments,
particularly a glass goblet which may possibly be Alexandrian
of late 4th or early 5th c. A rare find was an angon or barbed
iron spear of the Franks. Finds in Worthing Museum. (2-8)
The extent of the cemetery is probably indicated by a number of
overgrown excavation pits over the NW part of the interior of
the IA hill fort, the area being centred at TQ 09220437 (not
as published on OS 25"). (9)
Excavations produced 1 grave in 1867, about 50 graves and at least 1 cremation in a pot in 1892, 86 graves in 1893 and 94,
more than 20 cremations in pots in 1895-1901, 6 or 7 graves
and 5 cremations in pots in 1939, 5 graves and 2 cremations in
pots in 1947, and 1 grave (illegally) in 1965. Most of the
graves were orientated E-W, but there were a number with N-S
or other orientations. Beside the glass vessels the cemetery is
also notable for the large number of brooches and belt fittings
decorated in the quoit brooch style. (10)
(Note: see TQ 00 SE 1 for prehistoric occupation of Highdown Hill and further references). Traces of buildings at Highdown which were originally dated to the late Roman period show interesting similarities to the Saxon structures at Bishopstone. (11)
Strong evidence for settlement associated with the AS cemetery in the form of domestic pottery similar to that from AS features at Bishopstone. Wilson has identified a timber building as representing late Roman occupation dated by pottery to the 3rd century. Another rectangular structure was dated to the Iron Age. The forms of construction of both can be paralleled on a variety of AS sites while the pottery evidence is at best ambiguous. Thus the pottery sherds indicate a settlement nearby, and architectural evidence makes an AS date for the 2 buildings a possibility. (12)
Over 170 graves are known so far from the early AS cemetery, the majority inhumations but some cremations were present. Grave goods establish a 5th century origin and suggest it continued in use into the 7th century. (13)
Discussion of numerous artefact types from AS cemetery, plus an inventory of 186 graves and their contents. (14)
Trees felled during the storm of autumn 1987 brought to the surface a quantity of material including bones and Saxon pottery. Subsequent excavation uncovered about 40 AS inhumations plus a quantity of grave goods and the penannular ditch of an AS barrow. (15-16)
Note on possible refortification in the late Roman period
(see also TQ 00 SE 3 - Roman occupation on the western slope
of Highdown Hill) (17)
Discussions of various AS finds from the cemetery. (18-23)
Discovery of a late Roman fixed plate buckle in 1983. Usually only occurs in AS contexts. Use to support idea that Highdown was a mid-5th century garrison site. (24)
|