More information : (TA 219041). Two fragmentary Anglo-Saxon inhumations found at
Welbeck Hill. One was accompanied by a brooch and what was thought
to be a chalk spindle whorl. (1)
Mr G Taylor has, for the past twelve months, been excavating an AS
burial ground centred to TA 21750414. Eight graves have been opened.
Each contained an extended inhumation with a "general" east-west
orientation. From each burial Mr Taylor retained the mandible and
cranium; other skeletal remains were re-interred in their own graves
at a lower level to avoid possible future damage by farming.
An abundance of well preserved grave goods has been discovered and
include the following:
5 Annular brooches, two of which retain cloth fragments stated by
the Institute of Fabric Research to be mainly well woven cotton.
7 Iron knives
1 Lynch pin
2 Cruciform brooches
1 Long brooch (iron)
1 Long brooch (bronze) (retaining cloth impression)
1 Silver disc (found within mandible)
3 Necklets of terra-cotta, glass and jade beads, bronze buckles,
rivets, finger rings, wrist clasps, a chalk spindle whorl and
loose beads. Also found was a single urned cremation and part of
a very poorly fired vessel (probably a cooking pot).
All the finds are retained by Mr Taylor and his excavation is
continuing. (2)
TA 217042. Welbeck Hill, Irby. An Anglo Saxon cemetery has been
excavated here by G Taylor since 1962 following plough disturbance.
It is situated on the 100 ft (35m) contour, some three miles from the
Riby cemetery (TA10NE1) and 1.75 miles from the Laceby cemetery
(TA20NW1).
Two burial alignments predominate: North/south along the spine of the
spur and east/west on the west slopes, together with a number of
cremations on the east slope. In general the earliest burials are at
the north. Up to July 1976 72 inhumations and 5 cremations have been
recovered. (3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10)
A wide variety of grave goods are evidenced, covering the period from
the mid 5th to circa late 6th century. They include a gilt-bronze
Great Square-Headed brooch (Leeds B1), cruciform brooches (types 2,4,
5 and possibly 3 or a variant), 2 silver bracteates, a gilded
continuous spiral saucer brooch, miniature shield, range of sleeve
clasps, silver serpent finger-rings, decorated "girdle-hanger," iron
keys, knives and spearheads.
Textile remains include detached fragments of "guilloche" 5-strand
plait, knotted braid, twill and leather. Scandinavian influence in
the earlier burials is indicated by a runic bracteate, pillowing underheads, the north/ south alignment and a deposit of bracken fronds and
bark in one grave. (11,12)
(TA 21750414). Anglo Saxon Burial Ground (NR). (13)
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