Monument record MLI89329 - Pagan Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Lincoln Road, Ruskington

Summary

Pagan Anglo-Saxon cemetery to the west of Lincoln Road, Ruskington.

Type and Period (4)

  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 700 AD)
  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 700 AD)
  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 700 AD)
  • (Early Medieval/Dark Age - 410 AD to 700 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

Trollope records that two skeletons were found during gravel digging in 1871, in an area about 20 yards north-east of the old windmill at Ruskington. One of the skeletons was interred with an iron socketed spearhead which still retained some of its ash handle and was 'undoubtedly of Saxon make'. He also mentions that numerous human bones had been found previously in the area. {1} In 1917, Dr Gibson obtained a collection of Anglo-Saxon items from a local farmer who had found them in a nearby gravel pit. These items were donated to Grantham Museum in 1951 following Dr Gibson's death. A skull from the site is also mentioned in correspondence, although this was in poor condition and its current location is unknown. {2}{4}{7} In 1936, four skeletons with grave goods were found by Mr Smith, a chemist from Sleaford, in the garden of No.1 bungalow. {4}{8}{15} Also in 1936, a large group of artefacts was found during building operations and presented to Lincoln Museum by the contractor, Wallhead. These items were associated with two rows of burials. An urn with an inhumation burial was also found by the same contractors in 1938, and was also donated to the museum. {3}{4}{8} Also around 1935-37, Ron Hossack carried out extensive investigations during the digging of pipe trenches for the new bungalows. He recovered a large number of artefacts which were kept in a private collection for many years and some items went missing during this time. The collection was donated to the Lincoln Museum in 1979, and some of the missing items were recovered. {3}{4}{12} In 1941-42, the resident of the bungalow closest to Mill House uncovered a number of burials with grave goods in his back garden. Further burials were also found in the adjacent garden. The finds were donated to Lincoln Museum in 1956. {12}{14} In 1942 and 1945 more bungalows were constructed and nine more graves were discovered during this work, some with grave goods including swastika and ring brooches. A cremation may also have been found in 1945. The location of the finds is not known. {4}{13} Two burials were disturbed during building work at 85 Lincoln Road in 1957, and a cruciform brooch was found. The skulls of the burials and the brooch were removed but the rest of the skeletons were left in situ. One of them was found again during the 1977-78 excavations. {9}{11} Part of the site was excavated in 1975 in advance of building works. Twenty-four inhumations and three cremations were uncovered as well as grave goods. {5}{9}{10} Further rescue excavations were carried out in 1977-78. Fourteen inhumations and a possible cremation were found. {6}{9}{19} A number of other casual finds of grave goods, mostly brooches and spearheads, are also known from this site. {3}{16} A watching brief was carried out during the construction of a house on part of the site in 1985. Six burials were uncovered. A shield boss and several pottery sherds were also found in the graves. Examination of the edge of the trenches indicated that further burials remained in the area of the new house and driveway. {20}

Sources/Archives (21)

  •  Bibliographic Reference: Edward Trollope. 1872. Sleaford and the Wapentakes of Flaxwell and Aswardhurn in the County of Lincoln. p.295.
  •  Correspondence: c. 1954. Correspondence relating to the Gibson Bequest. -.
  •  Correspondence: 1935 onwards. Correspondence relating to the Hossack Collection. -.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: MEANEY, A.. 1964. A Gazetteer of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites. pp.161-2.
  •  Article in Serial: A.J. White (ed.). 1976. 'Archaeology in Lincolnshire and South Humberside, 1975' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.11, p.60.
  •  Article in Serial: A.J. White (ed.). 1979. 'Archaeology in Lincolnshire and South Humberside, 1978' in Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. vol.14, p.74.
  •  Article in Serial: THOMPSON, F.H.. 1956. ANTIQUARIES JOURNAL. vol.36, pp.181-3.
  •  Correspondence: 1935-6. Correspondence relating to the Wallhead finds. -.
  •  Correspondence: Healey, Hilary. 1975-1985. Excavations at Ruskington Anglo-Saxon cemetery in the 1970s. -.
  •  Archive: Department of the Environment. 1975. Ruskington Anglo-Saxon cemetery excavation, 1975. LCNCC 23.75.
  •  Correspondence: 1957. Letters regarding finds at 85 Lincoln Road, Ruskington, in 1957. -.
  •  Unpublished Document: The Ruskington Anglo-Saxon Cemetery. -.
  •  Correspondence: 1973. Letters relating to finds made by Captain Knocker in 1942-45. -.
  •  Graphic Material: c. 1942. Illustrations of the 1941-2 finds from Ruskington Anglo-Saxon cemetery. -.
  •  Correspondence: 1936 onwards. Letters regarding Mr Smith's excavations at Ruskington Anglo-Saxon cemetery. -.
  •  Correspondence: General notes and letters regarding Ruskington Anglo-Saxon cemetery. -.
  •  Index: Lincolnshire County Council. Sites and Monuments Record Card Index. TF 05 SE: AS, M.
  •  Index: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Card Index. TF 05 SE: 13.
  •  Index: A.J. White. 1978. EAST MIDLANDS ARCHAEOLOGICAL BULLETIN. vol.12, p.34.
  •  Article in Serial: Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology. 1986. Archaeology in Lincolnshire 1985-1986: Second Annual Report of the Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology. p.18.
  •  Article in Serial: Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology. 1985. Archaeology in Lincolnshire 1984-1985: Second Annual Report of the Trust for Lincolnshire Archaeology. p.23.

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Location

Grid reference Centred TF 07542 51480 (161m by 161m)
Civil Parish RUSKINGTON, NORTH KESTEVEN, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

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Record last edited

Mar 21 2021 8:35PM

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