Monument record EXG 101 - Early Anglo-Saxon cemetery and possible prehistoric features, Land South of Burwell Road, Exning, Suffolk

2013: Archaeological evaluation identified a number of undated ditches and pits, some containg pottery of Roman and medieval date which may be residual or intrusive. There was a small correlation of the archaeological features with the geophysical survey data. Electromagnetic anomalies were attributed to archaeological features only in Trench 21 and possibly also in Trench 14 (S1).
2014: Excavation identified part of an Anglo-Saxon cemetery of 20 graves containing 21 inhumations and a number of prehistoric and Roman features including a ring ditch.Dating evidence suggests that the cemetery was in use during the 7th century; this coincides approximately with the life of St thelthryth (c. 630-679) who founded Ely Abbey, was the daughter of King Anna of East Anglia, and who was born at Exning. Grave goods present with several of the burials in the cemetery recorded here were indicative of high status, providing the first physical evidence recorded in Exning of a rich and powerful population as suggested by the story of St thelthryth. Of further note is the similarity of the richest grave at this site, that of a young girl, with a grave recorded at a cemetery on the Isle of Ely which is considered to have had links with the religious community there. Analysis demonstrates a population of similar origins living on similar diets. In death, there are also many similarities between these individuals but where differences occur they may be significant, suggesting that different parts of the community were treated in different ways and perhaps suggesting the retention of certain elements of burial tradition from earlier in the Saxon period for certain groups within the community. The cemetery is comparable to other contemporary cemeteries in the surrounding region. Comparison of the rich burial of the young girl at this site and that recorded at Westfield Farm, Ely suggests social and cultural similarities, and therefore social and cultural links. However, there also noticeable differences between these two cemeteries and others in East Anglia, indicating that burial traditions, and perhaps lifestyles in general, were particularly localised within an established set of parameters. (S2,S3).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2013 (S6)

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2014 (S4).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2015 (S5).