Life and Economy at Early Medieval Flixborough, c. AD 600-1000: The Artefact Evidence

538 Pages·2009·9.761 MB·English

by  David H. Evans, Christopher Loveluck (eds.)

2
LIFE AND ECONOMY AT EARLY
MEDIEVAL FLIXBOROUGH,
c M L
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I LIFE AND ECONOMY
c. AD 600–1000 A E F
D D E

I A
The Artefact Evidence 6 E AT EARLY MEDIEVAL
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Between 1989 and 1991, excavations adjacent to the abandoned medieval settlement of North Conesby, in A D
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the parish of Flixborough, North Lincolnshire, unearthed remains of an Anglo-Saxon settlement associated 1 L
E FLIXBOROUGH
with one of the largest collections of artefacts and animal bones yet found on such a site. The Anglo- 0
C
Saxon settlement was situated on a belt of windblown sand, overlooking the floodplain of the River Trent, 0 F
eight kilometres south of the Humber estuary. Analysis has demonstrated that the excavated part of the 0 L O
settlement was occupied, or used for settlement-related activity, throughout what have been termed the I
N
‘Mid’ and ‘Late’ Anglo-Saxon periods. In an unprecedented occupation sequence from an Anglo-Saxon X c. AD 600–1000
rural settlement, six main periods of occupation have been identified, with additional sub-phases, dating B O
from the seventh to the early eleventh centuries; with a further period of activity, between the twelfth and O M
fifteenth centuries AD.
R
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The Artefact Evidence
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Volume 2 presents a currently unique window onto the daily life of people living at an important rural p
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settlement between the seventh and eleventh centuries AD in eastern England. It examines in detail the h
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evidence from some 10,000 recorded finds, over 6,000 sherds of pottery, and many other residues and e
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bulk finds, and illustrates these with 213 blocks of figures and 67 plates. r a
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lu d Edited by
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k D. H. Evans and Christopher Loveluck

Humber Archaeology Partnership
EXCAVATIONS AT FLIXBOROUGH VOLUME 2
Oxbow Books

EXCAVATIONS AT FLIXBOROUGH VOL. 2
Life and Economy at Early Medieval
Flixborough, c. AD 600–1000:
The Artefact Evidence
ii
EXCAVATIONS AT FLIXBOROUGH
Vol. 1 The Early Medieval Settlement Remains from Flixborough, Lincolnshire: The Occupation Sequence,
c. AD 600–1000 by Christopher Loveluck and David Atkinson
Vol. 2 Life and Economy at Early Medieval Flixborough, c. AD 600–1000: The Artefact Evidence
edited by D. H. Evans and Christopher Loveluck
Vol. 3 Farmers, Monks and Aristocrats: The Environmental Archaeology of Anglo-Saxon Flixborough
by Keith Dobney, Deborah Jaques, James Barrett and Cluny Johnstone
Vol. 4 Rural Settlement, Lifestyles and Social Change in the Later First Millennium AD: Anglo-Saxon
Flixborough in its Wider Context by Christopher Loveluck
Front cover:
top row: left: Gilt copper alloy disc-headed pin (no. 560; Rf 7835). (Bill Marsden, Humber Field Archaeology)
middle: Fragmentary brass mount (no. 979; RF 14087). (Bill Marsden, Humber Field Archaeology)
right: Gilt- silver disc brooch with zoomorphic decoration (no. 25; RF 5467) (Bill Marsden, Humber Field Archaeology)
bottom row: Antler single-sided ‘winged’ composite comb (no. 851; RF 6139). (Bill Marsden, Humber Field Archaeology)
background: various fi nds from the Flixborough site.
Back cover:
X-radiograph of the inscribed lead plaque (no. 1019; RF 1781), bearing the names of seven individuals,
both male and female. (British Museum).
iii
EXCAVATIONS AT FLIXBOROUGH VOL. 2
Life and Economy at Early Medieval
Flixborough, c. AD 600–1000:
The Artefact Evidence
edited by
D. H. Evans and Christopher Loveluck
with contributions by
Marion M. Archibald, Paul Blinkhorn, Michelle P. Brown, Jane Cowgill,
Rosemary Cramp, Brenda Dickinson, Peter Didsbury, Glynis Edwards†,
Vera I. Evison, Martin Foreman, Geoff Gaunt, Kay Hartley, John Hines,
Jennifer Jones, Christopher Loveluck, Peter Makey, Bill Marsden,
Catherine Mortimer, Sonia O’Connor, T. P. O’Connor, Elisabeth Okasha,
Patrick Ottaway, Ian Panter, Jonathan Parkhouse, Tim Pestell, Elizabeth
J. E. Pirie†, Nicola Rogers, Bryan Sitch, David Starley, Gabor Thomas, Alan Vince†,
Penelope Walton Rogers, Lisa M. Wastling, Jacqui Watson, Jane Young and
Susan M. Youngs
Principal Illustrators
Mike Frankland, Zoe Patterson, John Marshall, Rebecca Smith and Leslie Turner
OXBOW BOOKS
Published by
Oxbow Books, Oxford, UK
© Oxbow Books, Humber Archaeology Partnership and the authors 2009
ISBN 978-1-84217-310-7
A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library
This book is published with the aid of a grant
from English Heritage.
English Heritage is now Historic England
This book is available to download from
https://books.casematepublishing.com/Life and Economy at Early Medieval Flixborough.pdf
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Life and economy at early medieval Flixborough, c. AD 600-1000 : the artefact evidence / edited by D.H.
Evans and Christopher Loveluck ; with contributions by Marion M. Archibald ... [et al.] ; principal illustra-
tors,
Mike Frankland ... [et al.].
p. cm. -- (Excavations at Flixborough ; v. 2)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-84217-310-7
1. Flixborough Site (England) 2. Lincolnshire (England)--Antiquities. 3. Excavations (Archaeology)--
England--Lincolnshire. 4. Anglo-Saxons--England--Lincolnshire--History--To 1500. 5. Lincolnshire
(England)--History--To 1500. I. Evans, D. H. II. Loveluck, Christopher. III. Archibald, Marion.
DA670.L7L54 2009
942.8’32--dc22
2009019288
v
Contents
List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................................................ix
List of Plates ...................................................................................................................................................................xiii
List of Contributors to the Flixborough Volumes ...........................................................................................................xvi
Summary........................................................................................................................................................................xviii
Zusammenfassung ...........................................................................................................................................................xix
Résumé ............................................................................................................................................................................xx
Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................................................xxi
Preface and Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................xxiii
1 DRESS AND PERSONAL ITEMS
by Nicola Rogers, Patrick Ottaway, Gabor Thomas, Martin Foreman, Ian Panter, Susan M. Youngs,
John Hines and Jennifer Jones, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†, Christopher Loveluck,
Sonia O’Connor, T. P. O’Connor, Lisa M. Wastling and Jacqui Watson
1.1 Brooches – Nicola Rogers, John Hines, Patrick Ottaway, Jennifer Jones and Ian Panter ......................................1
1.2 Strap-ends – Gabor Thomas, with a contribution by Susan M. Youngs, Glynis Edwards† and Jacqui Watson .......7
1.3 The hooked tags – Gabor Thomas ...........................................................................................................................17
1.4 Buckles:
Non-ferrous buckles and other belt fi ttings – Nicola Rogers, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†
and Jacqui Watson ...............................................................................................................................................22
Iron buckles and belt fi ttings – Patrick Ottaway ................................................................................................26
1.5 Jewellery – Nicola Rogers, with a contribution by Lisa M. Wastling .....................................................................28
1.6 Toilet implements – Nicola Rogers, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†, Gabor Thomas and
Jacqui Watson ..........................................................................................................................................................30
1.7 Medical items – Patrick Ottaway ............................................................................................................................32
1.8 The pins – Nicola Rogers, with contributions by Sonia O’Connor, Patrick Ottaway and Ian Panter ...................32
1.9 Tool-marks and fi nishing details on non-ferrous, surface-coated and inlaid objects, including dress items
– Ian Panter, with contributions by Glynis Edwards† and Jacqui Watson ..............................................................79
1.10 Combs – Martin Foreman, with identifi cations of osseous materials by Sonia O’Connor and T. P. O’Connor ...82
2 CONSUMPTION OF LUXURIES: THE GLASS AND COPPER ALLOY VESSELS
by Vera I. Evison, Catherine Mortimer, Nicola Rogers and Susan M. Youngs
2.1 Glass vessels – Vera I. Evison ...............................................................................................................................103
2.2 Analysis of chemical compositions of the glass – Catherine Mortimer ................................................................113
2.3 Copper alloy vessels and container mounts – Nicola Rogers, with a contribution by Susan M. Youngs ..............115
3 ARTEFACTS RELATING TO SPECIALIST ACTIVITIES
by Tim Pestell, Michelle P. Brown, Elisabeth Okasha, Patrick Ottaway and Nicola Rogers
3.1 Horse equipment – Patrick Ottaway ......................................................................................................................122
3.2 Weapons and armour – Patrick Ottaway ...............................................................................................................123
vi Contents
3.3 Writing and literacy-related items:
The styli – Tim Pestell .......................................................................................................................................123
A decorated s ilver plaque, possibly from a book cover – Nicola Rogers .........................................................138
The inscribed objects – Michelle. P. Brown and Elisabeth Okasha, with catalogue entries
by Nicola Rogers ...............................................................................................................................................138
3.4 Possible liturgical objects: Iron bells and bell clappers – Patrick Ottaway ..........................................................141
4 BUILDING MATERIALS AND FITTINGS
by Patrick Ottaway, Lisa M. Wastling and Rosemary Cramp, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†, Ian Panter
and Jacqui Watson
4.1 Structural ironwork and fi ttings – Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Lisa M. Wastling, Glynis Edwards†,
Jacqui Watson and Ian Panter ...............................................................................................................................143
4.2 Structural fi red clay or daub – Lisa M. Wastling ...................................................................................................154
4.3 Window glass and lead cames – Rosemary Cramp ...............................................................................................159
4.4 Other building materials ........................................................................................................................................164
5 DOMESTIC FITTINGS AND IMPLEMENTS
by Patrick Ottaway, Lisa M. Wastling, Nicola Rogers, Martin Foreman and David Starley, with contributions
from Glynis Edwards†, Geoff Gaunt, Jennifer Jones, Ian Panter and Jacqui Watson
5.1 Iron domestic fi xtures, fi ttings and implements – Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†,
Jacqui Watson and Ian Panter ...............................................................................................................................166
5.2 Iron locks and keys – Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†, Jacqui Watson
and Ian Panter .......................................................................................................................................................187
5.3 Copper alloy keys – Nicola Rogers, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†, Jacqui Watson and Ian Panter ....193
5.4 Miscellaneous copper-alloy fi xtures and fi ttings – Nicola Rogers, with contributions by Glynis Edwards†,
Jacqui Watson and Ian Panter ...............................................................................................................................196
5.5 Miscellaneous lead and lead alloy objects – Lisa M. Wastling .............................................................................201
5.6 Miscellaneous iron fi xtures and fi ttings:
Knives – Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Jennifer Jones, Glynis Edwards†, David Starley
and Jacqui Watson .............................................................................................................................................203
Appendix 1. Metallographic examination of knife blades – David Starley......................................................229
5.7 Bone and antler implements and utensils – Martin Foreman ...............................................................................231
5.8 Hones and sharpening stones – Lisa M. Wastling, with a contribution by Geoff Gaunt ......................................236
A note on the geology of the hones – Geoff Gaunt ..........................................................................................237
5.9 Stone lamps – Lisa M. Wastling, with lithological identifi cations by Geoff Gaunt ..............................................239
5.10 A possible carved chalk vessel – Lisa M. Wastling with lithological identifi cation by Geoff Gaunt ...................243
6 CULTIVATION, CROP PROCESSING AND FOOD PROCUREMENT
by Lisa M. Wastling and Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Geoff Gaunt, Christopher Loveluck
and Jonathan Parkhouse
6.1 Agricultural tools – Patrick Ottaway .....................................................................................................................245
6.2 Querns – Lisa M. Wastling .....................................................................................................................................245
A note on the geology of the sandstone querns – Geoff Gaunt ........................................................................246
A note on the lava querns from Flixborough – Christopher Loveluck, based on identifi cations by
Jonathan Parkhouse ..........................................................................................................................................248
6.3 Evidence for fi shing and netting birds – Lisa M. Wastling ...................................................................................249
Iron fi sh hooks – Patrick Ottaway ....................................................................................................................252
7 WOODWORKING, THE TOOL HOARD AND ITS LEAD CONTAINERS
by Patrick Ottaway and Jane Cowgill, with contributions by Glynis Edwards† and Jacqui Watson
7.1 Woodworking tools – Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Glynis Edwards† and Jacqui Watson ..................253
7.2 The Flixborough tool hoard – Patrick Ottaway ....................................................................................................256
7.3 The lead vessels housing the Flixborough tool hoard – Jane Cowgill..................................................................267
Contents vii
8 LEATHERWORKING
by Patrick Ottaway, with contributions by Glynis Edwards† and Jacqui Watson
8.1 Leatherworking tools – Patrick Ottaway ...............................................................................................................278
9 TEXTILE PRODUCTION
by Penelope Walton Rogers, with contributions by Geoff Gaunt, Christopher Loveluck, Patrick Ottaway,
Ian Panter and Lisa M. Wastling
9.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................281
9.2 Fibre processing .....................................................................................................................................................281
9.3 Spinning .................................................................................................................................................................283
A note on the geology of the stone spindle whorls – Geoff Gaunt ...................................................................285
9.4 Weaving ..................................................................................................................................................................287
9.5 Cutting and stitching ..............................................................................................................................................296
Shears – Patrick Ottaway and Penelope Walton Rogers ..................................................................................296
Needles – Penelope Walton Rogers, with investigative conservation by Ian Panter .......................................298
Rubbing stones – Lisa M. Wastling ...................................................................................................................300
9.6 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................300
Selective catalogue .................................................................................................................................................301

10 IRONWORKING
by Patrick Ottaway, David Starley and Christopher Loveluck
10.1 Artefacts and objects relating to ironworking – Patrick Ottaway .........................................................................317
10.2 Ironworking debris and manufacturing processes – David Starley and Christopher Loveluck ............................322
Visual examination of the slags and metalworking debris ................................................................................323
Distribution of metalworking debris by period within the occupation sequence .............................................324
Physico-chemical analysis of debris ..................................................................................................................324
11 NON-FERROUS METALWORKING
by Lisa M. Wastling, Nicola Rogers and Catherine Mortimer
11.1 The crucible and mould fragments – Lisa M. Wastling .........................................................................................329
11.2 Other fi red clay objects – Lisa M. Wastling ..........................................................................................................334
11.3 Surface analysis of crucible and mould fragments – Catherine Mortimer ...........................................................335
11.4 Copper alloy manufacturing debris –Nicola Rogers .............................................................................................335
11.5 Evidence for leadworking – Lisa M. Wastling ......................................................................................................337

12 THE ANGLO-SAXON POTTERY
by Jane Young and Alan Vince†, with a contribution by Paul Blinkhorn
12.1 Introduction – Jane Young .....................................................................................................................................339
12.2 Early to Middle Anglo-Saxon handmade wares – Jane Young and Alan Vince†...................................................345
12.2.1 Charnwood (CHARN) ............................................................................................................................346
12.2.2 Organic-tempered fabrics (ECHAF) ......................................................................................................346
12.2.3 Iron-tempered fabrics (FE) .....................................................................................................................347
12.2.4 Sandstone-tempered fabrics (SST) .........................................................................................................347
12.2.5 Local Anglo-Saxon fabrics (ESAXLOC) ...............................................................................................348
12.2.6 Greensand-tempered fabrics (ESGS) .....................................................................................................348
12.2.7 Sparry calcite-tempered fabrics (SPARC) ..............................................................................................349
12.2.8 Anglo-Saxon non-local fabrics (ESAXX) ..............................................................................................349
12.3 Middle Saxon wares – Jane Young and Alan Vince†, with a contribution by Paul Blinkhorn .............................349
12.3.1 Northern Maxey-type ware.....................................................................................................................349
12.3.2 Other shell-tempered Middle Saxon fabrics...........................................................................................356
12.3.3 Ipswich ware – Paul Blinkhorn ..............................................................................................................357
12.3.4 Imported pottery from continental Europe – Alan Vince† ......................................................................364
viii Contents
12.4 The Late Saxon Pottery – Jane Young and Alan Vince† ........................................................................................368
12.4.1 Lincoln Kiln-type shelly ware (LKT) ....................................................................................................368
12.4.2 Torksey and Torksey-type ware ..............................................................................................................369
12.4.3 Other Late Saxon fabrics ........................................................................................................................370
12.5 The site pottery sequence .......................................................................................................................................370
Pottery catalogue ...............................................................................................................................................373
12.6 The Anglo-Saxon pottery from Flixborough within the context of the East Midlands of England,
AD 650–1000 – Alan Vince† and Jane Young .......................................................................................................392
12.6.1 Late 7th and early 8th century ................................................................................................................392
12.6.2 The 8th century .......................................................................................................................................393
12.6.3 The 9th to 11th centuries ........................................................................................................................397
13 THE ANGLO-SAXON COINS, MENSURATION WEIGHTS AND INGOTS
by Marion M. Archibald, Elizabeth J. E. Pirie†, Lisa M. Wastling, Ian Panter and Nicola Rogers
13.1 The Anglo-Saxon and medieval coins from Flixborough – Marion M. Archibald ...............................................402
The Northumbrian coins – Elizabeth J. E. Pirie† ..............................................................................................413
13.2 Investigative conservation of the sceattas and stycas – Ian Panter ......................................................................420
13.3 Silver ingot for bullion-based exchange – Nicola Rogers .....................................................................................422
13.4 Lead and lead alloy mensuration weights – Lisa M. Wastling ..............................................................................422
14 PREHISTORIC, ROMANO-BRITISH AND HIGH MEDIEVAL REMAINS
by Lisa M. Wastling, Peter Makey, Peter Didsbury, Bryan Sitch, Nicola Rogers, Patrick Ottaway and
Marion M. Archibald, with contributions by Brenda Dickinson, Geoff Gaunt and Kay Hartley
14.1 Prehistoric remains .................................................................................................................................................425
14.1.1 Prehistoric lithic material – Peter Makey ...............................................................................................425
14.1.2 The hammer stone – Lisa M. Wastling, with lithological identifi cation by Geoff Gaunt ......................430
14.1.3 Prehistoric pottery – Peter Didsbury ......................................................................................................431
14.1.4 The sling-shots – Lisa M. Wastling ........................................................................................................431
14.2 Romano-British remains ........................................................................................................................................433
14.2.1 The Roman coins – Bryan Sitch .............................................................................................................433
14.2.2 The Romano-British pottery – Peter Didsbury, with contributions by Brenda Dickinson,
Kay Hartley and Lisa M. Wastling ....................................................................................................................437
14.2.3 The Romano-British ceramic building materials – Lisa M. Wastling ....................................................440
14.2.4 A copper alloy penannular brooch – Nicola Rogers ..............................................................................442
14.2.5 A Romano-British sculpted stone fragment – Lisa M. Wastling, with lithological identifi cation
by Geoff Gaunt ..................................................................................................................................................442
14.2.6 A stone pestle – Lisa M. Wastling, with lithological identifi cations by Geoff Gaunt ............................443
14.2.7 The jet pin – Lisa M. Wastling ...............................................................................................................443
14.3 High Medieval and later remains ...........................................................................................................................443
14.3.1 Medieval and later pottery – Peter Didsbury .........................................................................................444
14.3.2 Medieval and later non-ferrous metal objects – Nicola Rogers ............................................................445
14.3.3 Medieval and later objects of iron – Patrick Ottaway ...........................................................................447
14.3.4 A medieval lead alloy spoon fragment – Lisa M. Wastling ...................................................................450
14.3.5 The medieval stone roof tile – Lisa M. Wastling, with lithological identifi cations by Geoff Gaunt .....450
14.3.6 Medieval and later coins – Marion M. Archibald ..................................................................................450
BIBLIOGRAPHY ..........................................................................................................................................................453
INDEX............................................................................................................................................................................ ...469
COLOUR PLATES ........................................................................................................................................................487