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This Mysterious Dark Age Skeleton Was Brutally Murdered | Time Team | Chronicle

Chronicle - Medieval History Documentaries・46 minutes read

The team at the History Hit Network excavates a historical site in Norfolk over three days, uncovering artifacts from various periods including an Anglo-Saxon silver coin and evidence of a monastery. Discoveries suggest a complex history involving a Norman churchyard, a Saxon village, and potentially a monastic building, with evidence of industrial activity found through geophysics.

Insights

  • The site in Norfolk, part of the History Hit Network, boasts a rich history dating back to the Iron Age, with artifacts spanning from Neolithic to Roman periods, focusing on the Middle Saxon era. The team's excavation efforts aim to uncover the settlement's history, including a ruined church, a monastery, and evidence of industrial activities, showcasing a complex historical narrative.
  • Through meticulous excavation and analysis, the team reveals significant discoveries such as an early Bronze Age arrowhead, a series of ditches possibly marking boundaries, and a complete skeleton from the 10th or 11th century showing signs of a fatal blow, shedding light on the site's layered past involving a Norman churchyard, a Saxon village, and potential monastic structures. The presence of Middle Saxon pottery, loom weights, and coins underscores the site's Saxon occupation in the 8th and 9th centuries, providing insights into the daily lives and prosperity of its inhabitants.

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Recent questions

  • What historical artifacts were found at the site?

    Iron Age to Roman artifacts, Middle Saxon focus.

  • What are the excavation plans for the site?

    Re-examining Norman church, finding settlement boundary.

  • What significant discoveries were made at the site?

    Anglo-Saxon silver coin, monastery evidence, early Bronze Age arrowhead.

  • What challenges did the team face during the excavation?

    Frustration in finding earlier church, extending trench due to error.

  • What does the site's layout suggest about its history?

    Agricultural activities, marshy areas, potential industrial zones.

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Summary

00:00

"Uncovering History: Norfolk's Rich Archaeological Site"

  • The channel is part of the History Hit Network.
  • The location is Norfolk, near the sea, with flat and exposed ground except for a small hill with a deserted Norman church.
  • The site is rich in historical artifacts dating back to the Iron Age.
  • The team aims to uncover the history of the settlement in three days, with live coverage.
  • The site is half a kilometer long, with significant Saxon finds and a ruined church.
  • Plans include excavating sections of a large ditch to determine its age and shape.
  • Artefacts found span from Neolithic to Roman periods, with a focus on the Middle Saxon period.
  • Excavation plans involve re-examining the Norman church and finding the settlement boundary.
  • Discoveries include an Anglo-Saxon silver coin and evidence of a monastery.
  • The team also works on recreating Anglo-Saxon crafts, such as minting coins and making jewelry.

15:20

"Archaeological Discoveries Unveil Ancient Site Secrets"

  • The floor with the word "Thomas" stamped on it is a significant discovery, revealing the building's possible appearance.
  • Geophysics near the church uncovers a potential boundary ditch, leading to the opening of a new trench, trench 4.
  • Mick and John Blair suggest the site resembles enclosed Anglo-Saxon monastic sites, citing examples from Bamson and Brandon.
  • Trench 4 reveals a series of ditches, including possible boundary ditches and a speculated Bell Pit for casting church bells.
  • Trench 5 uncovers evidence of burials, two skeletons, and an oven structure, possibly used for baking bread.
  • A mold for a strap end is created by wrapping a wax tablet in clay, to be filled with molten bronze.
  • The site's complexity and historical layers pose challenges in understanding its overall purpose and function.
  • Phil discovers an early Bronze Age barbed arrowhead dating back to 2000-2500 BC, remarkably preserved.
  • Karenza's extensive trench reveals organic material indicating an estuarine environment, possibly serving as a water defense.
  • The site's layout suggests agricultural activities, marshy areas, and potential industrial zones, with indications of multiple churches and a lack of clear evidence for the church's presence.

30:05

Archaeological discoveries in Saxon village

  • Charcoal falling in, no problem
  • Split flask, luckily more available
  • Human remains incomplete in graves
  • Distinguished male skeleton found
  • Frustration in finding earlier church building
  • Trench extended due to initial error
  • Saxon party with spit roast hair and Mead
  • Various trenches revealing medieval pottery and structures
  • Bronze cast found in Saxon village
  • Boundary ditch hunt intensifies, geophysics crucial

43:55

"Saxon settlement reveals complex history and artifacts"

  • A complete skeleton from the 10th or 11th century was found at the bottom of a settlement sequence, showing evidence of a fatal blow to the head with a heavy, sharp-edged sword.
  • The discovery of earlier burials on the site, dating back to the 12th century, suggests a complex history involving a Norman churchyard, a Saxon village, and possibly a monastic building.
  • Geophysics results indicate industrial activity and the presence of a kiln, significant for understanding the site's history as potentially a monastery during the Middle Saxon period.
  • Unearthed artifacts like Middle Saxon pottery, loom weights, and coins provide evidence of Saxon occupation in the 8th and 9th centuries, shedding light on the daily activities and wealth of the inhabitants.
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