Anglo-Saxon Bidford
Member of Warwick Field Services excavating an Anglo-Saxon cemetery
Little is known about Anglo-Saxon settlements in Warwickshire so the finds from Bidford are hugely important. .jpg "Brooch")
In 1921 a pagan burial ground, dating to the early Anglo-Saxon period was discovered, where 187 inhumations and 30 cremations were excavated. .jpg "Bobble")
Since then other burials have been excavated - over 200 burials and 32 cremations are known.
Fascinating objects have been found alongside skeletons and these include brooches, rings and spearheads.
The Cunning Woman
In 1971 a particularly unusual burial was found. It contained the skeleton of a young female. This female was found with glass and amber beads, pendants, items which would have been part of a hip bag, two brooches and a pin.
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Other items on her included a ‘spangle', four small copper tubes and twelve miniature bucket-shaped pendants. These are believed to have had symbolic and magical purpose.
People think she may have practiced magic or healing. The objects she was buried with suggests she was important to her local community.
Archaeological evidence shows that Bidford was the burial place for the local farming community. In addition to the cemetery, ditches, animal enclosures and postholes belonging to structures have been found.
Finds recovered, such as loom weights and quern stones, demonstrate everyday activities such as cloth weaving and grinding corn.
Excavation of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery
