Monument record BSE 005 - Northumberland Avenue, Mildenhall Road Estate. (Sax)

Saxon inhumation burials, C6-C7.
Remains of two skeletons, said to be together in a shallow grave, found in a gas main trench by the side of Northumberland Avenue in Dec 1954 at (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) according to BSEMH map (S7). Artefacts recovered were a toilet set (circular bowl spoon, bodkin and ? "ear scoop" - broken) on wire ring, tubular bronze bracelet, solid silver ring (one and half inches diameter, 2 hook terminals), blue glass bead and 2 bronze fragments, 1 with a rivet. Most of the material, including the skeletons, had been disturbed by the time it was collected. Found at a depth of cira 2 feet. Trial trenches driven for several yards to N and S without further finds (R1)(S1)(S2)(S7). At the time the inhumations were assumed to be Rom but the artefacts and later nearby finds more probably Sax (? C7).
Human bones and a shield boss found in digging a pit for house drainage in Nov 1955. Skull and further artefacts retrieved by Edwardson. Said to be 50 yards from the previous find (S4) and marked at (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) on BSEMH map (S7). Finds include iron spearhead with split socket, sugar loaf shield boss, grip and rivets and two bronze buckles. Grave, 3 feet 6 inches below surface (S5)(R2).
Four other skeletons uncovered circa 100 yards away in graves 2 feet deep into chalk. Lying at right angles to one another, nearly touching in two cases, and appeared to be hurried burials. No associated objects. These presumably include `28/9/57 two skeletons in shallow graves in chalk. No material', sited with a cross to (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s)(S7) although this spot is marked very close (circa 10m-20m) to the 1955 site (R3)(S6)(S3). This account also says that three male skeletons were destroyed in the 1955 find above (S6).
All accounts give the same 6-figure grid reference for all the finds though see BSEMH map references above (S7).
These burials are possibly related to C19 finds on Tollgate Lane - see BSE 059.