Monument record MLI127387 - Roman Inhumation and Cremation Burials at, Chapel Heath, High Dyke, Navenby

Summary

At least four inhumation burials and one cremation burial were recorded during a watching brief at Chapel Heath, High Dyke, Navenby. At least one of the burials appears to be a deviant burial. It is likely other burials were also present or encountered as the state of preservation varied. A broad 2nd to 4th century date is suggested by associated pottery.

Type and Period (4)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

At least four inhumation burials and one cremation burial were recorded during a watching brief at Chapel Heath, High Dyke, Navenby, although it is highly likely more individuals are represented as disarticulated bone was found during machining. A damaged urn with no human remains likely represents an additional cremation. The remains have been assigned a broad Roman date based on the small quantity of surviving sandy greyware pottery identified primarily from the two possible cremations. Three inhumation burials and disarticulated bone relating to at least two individuals were identified in plot E7A, in the north east of the site. Grave 1 was a stone-lined and stone capped cist containing the skeleton of a mature adult male, aligned broadly north to south, and an additional skull placed at the feet of the individual. Several hand bones were also found within the grave, although it is unclear whether they represent an inhumed individual. Graves 2 and 3 were both approximately east to west with the head-end to the west. Graves 2 and 3 appear to intercut, with grave 2 being notable for the presence of iron nails suggesting a former coffin positioned around the remaining portions of skeleton 2, of which the long bones and skull were best preserved. Grave 3 was occupied by the legs and partial feet of skeleton 3. Plot E8B in the southeast of the site was occupied by grave 4 with skeleton 5, and a later-dating cremation pit. Immediately to the south, a further possible cremation vessel in a pit was identified although this was damaged by mechanical excavation. Grave 4 was also damaged during machine excavation, although it was possible to ascertain the individual was buried face down, with their arms underneath the body and the head placed between the knees. Limestone blocks were recorded along the edge of the grave cut, although their exact association with the grave is uncertain. The cremation had been interred in a cut made into the grave soil suggesting a later date than the internment of skeleton 5. {1}{2}

Sources/Archives (2)

  •  Report: Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd. 2009. Archaeological Monitoring, House Plots E1-E8B, Chapel Heath, High Dyke, Navenby. PCA Site Code CHNA05.
  •  Archive: Pre-Construct Archaeological Services Ltd. 2009. Archaeological Monitoring, House Plots E1-E8B, Chapel Heath, High Dyke, Navenby. LCNCC 2005.155.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SK 9926 5735 (48m by 74m) Estimated from Sources
Civil Parish NAVENBY, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Nov 26 2024 1:36PM

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