Monument record MLI125737 - Churchyard, Church of All Saints, Beckingham
Summary
Churchyard at the Church of All Saints, Beckingham. Likely dates to at least the late 12th century, when the church it serves was built.
Type and Period (1)
- CHURCHYARD (Medieval to Modern - 1166 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Full Description
The churchyard at the Church of All Saints is depicted on the 2nd edition 25" Ordnance Survey County Series map. It likely dates to at least the late 12th century, when the church it serves was built (see PRN 61387). {1}
Several small fragments of disarticulated human bone were identified in the graveyard soil in November 2005, during archaeological monitoring of the installation of new drainage at the Church of All Saints. The fragments were mainly small pieces of adult femur, tibia and cranium bones, and were re-buried at the conclusion of the investigation. {2}{3}
Parts of several articulated human burials were recorded in February 2010, during archaeological monitoring of underpinning works and the installation of two new soakaway pits at the Church of All Saints. A large quantity of disarticulated human bone fragments was also identified in the graveyard soil, with the burials and disarticulated collection thought to represent the remains of approximately nine individuals. The frequency of burials and depth of the graveyard soil encountered would suggest that the churchyard has been in use for some considerable time. The corroded remains of a coin was found over an eye socket of one of the burials, with corrosion staining over the other eye socket suggesting a second coin had also been placed. Although very badly corroded, the milling around the edge of the coin would suggest it was of broadly 17th or 18th century date. A coin placed in such a way is known as an obulus, and this is thought to be an example of an ancient Greek and Roman burial tradition that was revived in later centuries as interest in the classical period grew. The investigation also recorded the remains of a probable cist made from re-used late 18th century gravestones. A few redeposited pieces of pottery and tile of medieval to post-medieval date were also recovered from the graveyard soil. One of the sherds was a piece from a Nottingham Splashed ware jug of mid to late 12th century date, whilst the other was a piece from a Toynton Medieval ware jug of late 13th to 15th century date. {4}{5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI3566 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1902-06. 25 Inch County Series Map - Second Edition. 1:2500. SK 85 SE.
- <2> SLI10360 Report: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 2005. All Saints Church, Beckingham. LAS site code: ASCB 05.
- <3> SLI10361 Archive: Lindsey Archaeological Services. 2005. All Saints Church, Beckingham. LCNCC 2005.213.
- <4> SLI13050 Report: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2010. All Saints Church, Beckingham. AAL site code: BEAS 09.
- <5> SLI13051 Archive: Allen Archaeology Ltd. 2010. All Saints Church, Beckingham. LCNCC 2010.66.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred SK 8755 5378 (52m by 84m) Estimated from Sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BECKINGHAM, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- Event - Intervention: All Saints Church, Beckingham (ELI6390)
- Event - Intervention: All Saints Church, Beckingham (ELI10458)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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