ANGLO-SAXON OXFORDSHIRE

SUMMERTOWN, OXFORD - A POSSIBLE ANGLO-SAXON CEMETERY

A number of Anglo-Saxon burials were discovered in the Summertown area of Oxford during the nineteenth century indicating a possible Anglo-Saxon cemetery.

In 1850, in a garden to the east of the Banbury Road, a skeleton together with a knife, disc brooch and glass beads were found during digging. Then in 1865 another skeleton was discovered with a knife and buckle. This burial was later examined by Prof. Westwood.

The finds from these burials date from the late fifth or early sixth centuries, and are now held in the Ashmolean Museum. Other Anglo-Saxon finds from Oxford in the Ashmolean Museum include a gold bracteate found at St Giles Field before 1677 and a saucer brooch from somewhere near Oxford.

Find out more about Anglo-Saxon Oxford

REFERENCES:

A. Dodd (2003) Oxford Before the University - The Late Saxon and Norman Archaeology of the Thames Crossing, the Defences and the Town, Oxord Archaeology.

A. MacGregor and E. Bolick (1993) Summary Catalogue of the Anglo-Saxon Collections (Non- Ferrous Metals), BAR British Series 230.