Recent discoveries of early Anglo-Saxon objects reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme in the North East of England have highlighted new and important archaeological sites dating to the 5th, 6th, and 7th centuries – a period that saw the demise of the Roman rule of Britain and the formation of new English kingdoms.

 

The kingdom of Northumbria is known for its amazing artistic achievements, like the Rothbury Cross and the Lindisfarne Gospels, as well as the world-leading scholars of its monastic foundations, for example Alcuin and Bede. However, little is known about the origins of the kingdom.

 

This project is exploring the roots of Northumbria, examining the new artefacts that have been brought to light, and investigating their context in the landscape, with a focus on mortuary archaeology.

 

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Project Leader: Dr Rob Collins

 

Other Staff: Prof Sam Turner

 

Sponsors: Newcastle University, Durham University

 

Partners: Dr Sarah Semple (Durham University)

 

Related Publications: Collins R. Recent Discoveries of Early Anglian Material Culture in the North East. Medieval Archaeology 2010, 54, 386-390.