Fingerprint charts for i) artefact date analysis, ii) artefact type analysis, iii) artefact metal analysis and iv) coins – date of production
Reference: Fenwick 1989
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Burrow Hill is a former island site overlooking the mouth of the Butley River. It lies 10km east of Sutton Hoo, from which it is separated by Sandling Heath. The flat hilltop is in a prominent position, with views in all directions.
Excavations of an area of 850m² from 1978-81 revealed an extensive Middle Saxon cemetery of over 200 inhumations, predominantly males. On the south side of the hill a sequence of ditches was investigated. Within the area that had apparently been enclosed by these ditches there were numerous pits and post-holes. All the burials were unaccompanied but the finds from the settlement area included imported pottery and glass, two strap-ends, and a range of Anglo-Saxon coins. The VASLE dataset is based upon the EMC records for the excavated coins only.
The site's strategic location and the number of coins recovered led the excavator to conclude that the site had developed here for defence and commerce (Fenwick 1989, 41). Alternatively, it is suggested that the site may have had a monastic function, given the possible occurrence of a writing implement of a type found also at Whitby Abbey (Pestell 2003).
Fingerprint charts for i) artefact date analysis, ii) artefact type analysis, iii) artefact metal analysis and iv) coins – date of production
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Last updated: Tues Apr 21 2009