Monument record WTH 001 - Cemetery discovered through gravel quarrying in 1759.

Please read our .

Summary

A Roman inhumation and cremation burial ground was found in 1757 or 1758. Finds included bones, cinerary urns, including one of glass and a lachrymatory.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 6584 4663 (51m by 50m)
Map sheet TL64NE
Civil Parish WITHERSFIELD, ST EDMUNDSBURY, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

Cemetery discovered through gravel quarrying in 1759. Complete skeletons and cremations alleged to have been found, together with several large glass urns. Several objects from here were in the possession of Thomas Barnard, Rector of Withersfield, 1782: a large (two gallon capacity) transparent glass vase with a ribbed handle and short neck, two small transparent glass vessels containing 'unctuous' substances, a round squat transparent glass vessel, three samian vessels, a large white ware vessel containing a cremation, another white ware vessel with a handle and straight neck and a red ware lamp. No coins (S1)
1757 or 1758: Burial ground found through 'gravel digging' at the S corner of Broad Meadow, near Meldham Bridge, adjoining a field called Osterfield or Nosterfield. Finds included a large glass vessel (described above) 3 parts filled with burnt bone and containing a glass 'lachrymatory', a small squat glass vessel with an out-turned flat rim, 2 samian cups, one stamped VITAL, a small bottle or flask of light yellow ware and a spearhead. All these were in the possession of Mrs Barnard of Bartlow (S2)(S4).

Sources/Archives (8)

  • <R1> (No record type): Coles Ms, BM Ms 5,31,91b,92,92b,93, Ms Min Soc Antiq 11, (1869), 38.
  • <M1> Unpublished document: Suffolk Archaeological Service. Parish Files. Parish file: copy of (S2)..
  • <S1> Bibliographic reference: 1911. Victoria County History, Suffolk (VCH). 307.
  • <S2> (No record type): Walford T, An Account of a Roman Military Way in Essex, Archaeologia 14, 1803, 73-74, fig and map.
  • <R2> (No record type): Davy D E, Collections 19, 103, BM.
  • <R3> (No record type): Walford T, Archaeologia, 14, facing 73, plan.
  • <S3> (No record type): Clay C, Haverhill, PSIA 4, No 3, 1868, 100.
  • <S4> Index: OS. OS Card. OS, card TL64NE7.

Finds (5)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Nov 11 2020 12:42PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.