Site Event/Activity record ESF21561 - The Examinination and reconstruction of Anglo-Saxon Bed Burial, Smythes Corner Saxon Cemetery

This report documents the organic material preserved by contact with metal artefacts from this seventh century cemetery. The site had been partially quarried away, but 53 inhumations remained of which 21 graves contained metalwork with mineral preserved organic material and are reported on here. This cemetery is of an early seventh century date, making it a final phase type which is transitional between pagan and Christian burial ritual and few of the burials are accompanied with grave goods. Two of the burials were placed in chambered graves: grave 157 was laid out with weapons and grave 308 contained a dismantled bed. Both these graves are discussed in detail, although the bed reconstruction has been produced as a separate report (Watson, 2006). This report covers the condition of the assemblage from Coddenham, the organic components of the weapons, personal items and the containers placed in these graves; followed by a catalogue of all the material that has been examined along with the results.