Monument record MDO420 - Saxon cemetery at Frome View, Bradford Peverell

SY 66119278. Eight inhumation burials in shallow graves in two rows and cut into chalk, were revealed during excavations for an extension to a patio at Frome View, Bradford Peverell, in 1977. In 1981, the total had reached thirteen. In one grave, small pits the width of the grave, were probably to hold marker posts. There were a number of associated finds of 7th-8th century date, including iron spearheads, knives, bronze and iron buckle, gold and
silver objects, and two punched coins. <1-4>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1980, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1977, 120 (Serial). SDO77.

‘BRADFORD PEVERELL. Eight inhumation burials, found during preparation work for an extension and patio at Frome View are reported by J. B. Hawthorne and C. J. S. Green. The burials were laid out in shallow graves cut into natural chalk and arranged in two rows. All but one had the head at the west. Five of the burials had grave goods; three had one small iron knife; one a bone comb, iron objects and a silvered bronze purse-mound; the fourth, a skeleton of a young girl was buried with a necklace of three glass beads, a biconical bead of gold wire, a triangular-shaped pendant with a cabochon stone set in gold a circular silver pendant with glass setting and two punched silver discs. At the waist was part of a bronze buckle, two punched coins and large round bronze disc. It seems probable that the graves date to the seventh century.‘

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1980, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1978, 112 (Serial). SDO78.

‘BRADFORD PEVERELL. (SY 3661109278). Further excavation by L. J. Keen and J. B. Hawthorne at Frome View uncovered two more inhumation burials, bringing the total to ten. One burial was accompanied by an unidentified iron object, the other by a spearhead, small knife and a bronze and iron buckle. The dating of these objects confirmed the late seventh- to early eight-century date suggested by the grave-goods of the other graves. Excavation continues during 1979.’

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1981, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1979, 133 (Serial). SDO79.

‘BRADFORD PEVERELL (SY 3661109278). Excavation of the late 7th-/early 8th-century inhumation cemetery at Frome View was continued by L. J. Keen and J. B. Hawthorne. Two graves were excavated bringing the total to 12. The first burial was in a shallow grave cut into natural chalk for 0.15 m to 0.30 m, having a small iron knife at the head end of the grave towards the top of the grave filling. The second burial was in a deeper grave cut to an average of 0.50 m into the chalk and the width was very narrow, no more than an average of 0.40 m. Large flints marked the top and bottom of the grave and beneath these were small pits at least 0.30 m deep and the full width of the grave; it is suggested that these were probably to hold marker posts. The burial was accompanied by an iron knife laid across the skeleton’s left forearm.’

<4> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1982, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1981, 126 (Serial). SDO81.

‘BRADFORD PEVERELL (SY66119278). A thirteenth grave has been excavated. It lay immediately adjacent to grave 7 at the south-west end of a row of seven graves. The grave was very shallow being cut into the chalk only 0.03 m at the foot end and 0.12 m at the head end. A small pit, 0.22 m deeper than the floor of the graves, was at the head and extended as a slot in the chalk beyond the head end of the grave. The grave was 2.11 m long and graded from 0.5 m wide at the head end to 0.35 m wide at the foot end. An iron knife, a bronze buckle and a second iron object were between the knees. The skeleton appeared to be of a young adult male.’

<5> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1990, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1989, 110-111 (Serial). SDO89.

‘BRADFORD PEVERELL INHUMATION CEMETERY. Work continued on the late 7th/early 8th-century inhumation cemetery at Frome View (SY 36611 09278). Another burial, first observed in 1982, was excavated, bringing the total to 16. This also was in a shallow grave cut into natural chalk. Traces of an iron object, probably a knife, could be seen on the left forearm of the skeleton, and two large flint nodules lay over the knees.’

<6> Geake, Helen, 1997, The Use of Grave-Goods in Conversion-Period England, c.600-c.850, 150 (Monograph). SWX4066.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 453560 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 31 2023 8:38AM