Attitudes to Disposal of the Dead - Gazetteer Query Form

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Site name Viables Farm, Basingstoke
Site number 1553
Burial codes 1002 1003 1021 1023 1026 1028 1030 1035 1042 1044 1046 1051 1053 1065 1073 1084 1091 1098 1102 1106 1107 1121 1125 1126 1129 1130 1143 1153 1181
100bc-AD43 An enclosed homestead with in the centre of the enclosure a double inhumation in Pit 5. The inhumations were deposited in layer 6 of the pit with animal bones around and beneath them. Inhumation 2 was of a female c25-30, extended, head to SE, on its back, the right arm extended with the right arm holding a piece of bone, and a horse skull beneath the arm. The head rested on the neck of a sheep.

Inhumation 1 was disturbed, but identifiable as a female c35-40. Its original position appears to have been with its head resting on the pelvis of No 2, crouched, head to SE. The unfinished antler combs and cheekpiece were found immediately north east of the body. There were indications that the pit had been left open after the deposits, and displacement took place as a result of infilling and soil movement afterwards.

Beneath the bodies were the carcasses of two whole sheep, parts of two horses (including most of one), and parts of two cattle. Their positions suggest deliberate placing as offerings rather than butchery waste deposits.

Beneath these animal bones and beneath the skull of inhumation 2 was a small rectangular hole cut into the base of the pit containing 2 pairs of antler toggles, and a pair of terrets, one of silvered bronze and the other of bone. A small iron object in the cist was recovered but subsequently lost.
Remains/Period Y1
County Hampshire
Region S
National grid square SU
X coordinate 632
Y coordinate 502
Bibliographic source Millett and Russell 1982


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Last updated: Tues Aug 10 2004