Find Spot record MCC2629 - Anglo-Saxon? finds, Butt Road Sandpit, Colchester

Summary

Anglo-Saxon? spearheads, knives & arrowheads, probably from disturbed graves, recorded in the mid 19th century.

Location

Grid reference TL 9928 2481 (point)
Map sheet TL92SE
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

William Wire sketched two spearheads recovered from the sand pits at Butt Road in the mid 19th century. The drawings are rough, however one object is described as having a 'rib running up the centre'. This feature is found on Germanic spear types of 4th & 5th century date. The spearhead is 205mm long including the socket which is 65mm in length. The other spearhead is 12" long. Although shown as being somewhat angular in profile, it is presumably a leaf shaped form.

Mrs Hawkes has examined the drawings and feels able to be more specific about the date of the objects. She suggests the first spearhead is most likely of Swanton type B datable to the late 4th or early 5th century whereas the second of Swanton type K1 datable from the mid 5th to early 6th century.

In addition to these spearheads Wire illustrates two iron knoves, one of which is a blade with a straight back and sloping point of probable 7th century date. Arrowheads are also mentioned by Wire.<1><2<<3><4>

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Monograph: Crummy, Philip. 1981. CAR 1: Aspects of Anglo-Saxon and Norman Colchester. 1. p.12.
  • <1> Monograph: Swanton, M. J.. 1973. The spearheads of the Anglo-Saxon settlements. pp.115-138, pp.16-45.
  • <2> Monograph: Philip, B (Ed). 1973. Excavations in West Kent 1963-70. Hawkes, p.199.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Wire, William. Wire's Album.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Feb 3 2017 7:31AM

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