2.3 Archaeological evidence of early Anglo-Saxon settlements

The Anglo-Saxon migration to Britain left behind a rich archaeological record. Excavations at sites like Sutton Hoo and West Stow have unearthed valuable artifacts, revealing insights into early Anglo-Saxon life, culture, and social structures.

These findings paint a picture of a society in transition. From burial practices to settlement patterns, the archaeological evidence shows how Anglo-Saxon migrants adapted to their new home, blending their traditions with those of the existing population.

Anglo-Saxon Settlement Sites and Artifacts

Significant Archaeological Sites

Top images from around the web for Significant Archaeological Sites

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  Anglo Saxon Village West Stow © Jo Turner cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  Reconstructed burial mound at Sutton Hoo © John H Darch :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  File:Sutton Hoo ship-burial model.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

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  Anglo Saxon Village West Stow © Jo Turner cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  Reconstructed burial mound at Sutton Hoo © John H Darch :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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Top images from around the web for Significant Archaeological Sites

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  Anglo Saxon Village West Stow © Jo Turner cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  Reconstructed burial mound at Sutton Hoo © John H Darch :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  File:Sutton Hoo ship-burial model.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

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  Anglo Saxon Village West Stow © Jo Turner cc-by-sa/2.0 :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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  Reconstructed burial mound at Sutton Hoo © John H Darch :: Geograph Britain and Ireland View original

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• Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England is a significant early Anglo-Saxon archaeological site
  • Includes a large ship burial mound containing valuable artifacts (weapons, jewelry, household items)
  • Provides insight into the wealth, status, and burial practices of the Anglo-Saxon elite
• West Stow in Suffolk, England is an early Anglo-Saxon village site
  • Provides evidence of the layout and construction of houses (timber-framed structures, wattle and daub walls, thatched roofs)
  • Yields artifacts related to daily life (pottery, tools, animal bones)
• Spong Hill in Norfolk, England is an extensive early Anglo-Saxon cemetery site
  • Includes both cremation and inhumation burials
  • Offers insights into burial practices and grave goods
• Other notable early Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites include:
  • Mucking in Essex
  • Yeavering in Northumberland
  • Bishopstone in East Sussex

Important Artifact Discoveries

• The Staffordshire Hoard, discovered in 2009, is the largest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork
  • Primarily consists of military items (sword pommel caps, hilt plates)
  • Demonstrates the wealth, craftsmanship, and military culture of the Anglo-Saxons
• Other significant artifacts found at Anglo-Saxon sites include:
  • Jewelry (brooches, necklaces, rings) reflecting personal adornment and status
  • Weapons (swords, spears, shields) indicating warfare and military organization
  • Tools (knives, axes, awls) used in daily tasks and crafts
  • Pottery (bowls, jars, cups) for food preparation, storage, and consumption

Daily Life in Early Anglo-Saxon Communities

Settlement Structure and Housing

• Excavations of early Anglo-Saxon settlements reveal the layout and construction of houses
  • Typically consist of timber-framed structures with wattle and daub walls and thatched roofs
  • Provide insights into living conditions and architectural practices
• Settlement layouts often include:
  • Central hearths for heating and cooking
  • Storage pits for food and resources
  • Workshops for crafts and manufacturing
  • Enclosures for livestock and agricultural activities

Crafts, Trade, and Technology

• Artifacts such as pottery, tools, weapons, and jewelry offer evidence of early Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship, trade networks, and technological capabilities
  • Pottery styles and techniques suggest regional variations and cultural influences
  • Metal objects (iron, bronze, gold, silver) demonstrate metalworking skills and access to resources
  • Imported goods (glass beads, amber, garnets) indicate long-distance trade connections
• Specialized crafts include:
  • Blacksmithing for the production of tools, weapons, and agricultural implements
  • Weaving and textile production using wool, flax, and other fibers
  • Leatherworking for the creation of clothing, shoes, and other items

Subsistence and Diet

• The presence of animal bones and botanical remains at settlement sites provides information about early Anglo-Saxon diet, farming practices, and animal husbandry
  • Cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens were the primary domesticated animals
  • Wheat, barley, oats, and rye were the main crops cultivated
  • Wild resources (fish, game, fruits, nuts) supplemented the diet
• Butchery marks on animal bones indicate meat processing and consumption patterns
• Quernstones and other tools suggest the processing of grains for bread and other staples

Burial Practices and Social Structure

• Burial practices, including the use of cremation and inhumation, shed light on early Anglo-Saxon beliefs about the afterlife and social hierarchies
  • Cremation was more common in the early period, with ashes placed in urns or scattered
  • Inhumation became more prevalent over time, with bodies often placed in coffins or chambers
  • Grave goods (weapons, jewelry, tools) reflect the status and identity of the deceased
• The distribution and concentration of settlements and cemeteries across the landscape can indicate patterns of migration, population density, and territorial organization
  • Clusters of settlements suggest the formation of villages and communities
  • Isolated farmsteads indicate dispersed rural populations
  • High-status burials (Sutton Hoo) point to the emergence of regional power centers and elite networks

Limitations of Archaeological Evidence

Preservation and Survival Bias

• Archaeological evidence represents only a partial record of the past
  • Many organic materials (textiles, wood) do not survive well in the archaeological record
  • This limits our understanding of certain aspects of early Anglo-Saxon life (clothing, wooden structures)
• Differential preservation can skew the archaeological record towards more durable materials (stone, metal, pottery)
  • This can create an incomplete or biased picture of the past
  • Important aspects of daily life and culture may be underrepresented

Interpretive Challenges and Biases

• The interpretation of archaeological evidence can be influenced by the biases and perspectives of the archaeologists and historians studying the material
  • Prevailing cultural and political contexts shape research questions and interpretations
  • Changing theoretical frameworks and methodologies can lead to revised understandings over time
• The lack of written records from the early Anglo-Saxon period means that archaeological evidence must be interpreted without the benefit of contemporary accounts
  • This can lead to potential gaps in our understanding of the period
  • Archaeologists must rely on comparative evidence and analogies from other cultures and time periods

Site Disturbance and Looting

• The looting and disturbance of early Anglo-Saxon sites, particularly during the medieval period and the 19th century, have compromised the integrity of some archaeological contexts and artifacts
  • This makes it more difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the original deposition and meaning of the material
  • Important information about site formation processes and artifact associations may be lost
• Modern agricultural practices, urban development, and infrastructure projects can also damage or destroy archaeological sites
  • This limits the potential for future research and discovery
  • Rescue excavations may be necessary to salvage information before sites are lost

Limited Sample Size and Regional Variation

• The limited number of extensively excavated and well-preserved early Anglo-Saxon sites can make it challenging to generalize findings and develop a comprehensive understanding of the period across different regions of Britain
  • Most sites are concentrated in the southeastern part of England
  • Other regions (northern England, western Britain) are less well represented
• Regional variations in settlement patterns, material culture, and burial practices may reflect different cultural traditions, environmental adaptations, and historical trajectories
  • This diversity can complicate attempts to create a unified narrative of early Anglo-Saxon society
  • More research is needed to explore the full range of regional expressions and interactions