Early medieval cemetery at Howick Heugh (Longhoughton)
(Area centred NU 2364 1688). A pagan Anglian cemetery was discovered in the years 1928-30 at the Howick Heugh quarry. No systematic excavation was carried out but most of the finds were recorded by R C Bosanquet, late president of the Society of Antiquaries, Newcastle. It would appear that there were 15 inhumations with possibly one incomplete cremation. In shallow graves and in various positions and orientations the burials were accompanied by such things as iron knives, glass beads and an iron horse fibula. (1)
Site marked by R C Bosanquet (at NU 2364 1688). (2)
(NU 23601683) 'I was present when the graves were found just below ground level'. (Approximate site indicated to investigator). No further information. Present location of finds not known. (3)
The quarry is still in use, but no further finds have been reported. (4)
Finds with the skeletons in Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne, accession number 1935.20. Include: brown vitreous bead (1935.20.1); opaque green glass beads, possibly Roman (1935.20.2a,2b); iron bridle bit (1935.20.3); bronze fragment (1935.20.4); iron knives, minimum of five, too fragmentary and corroded for further details (1935.20.6); iron spearhead (1935.20.6); bronze stud (1935.20.10). Of the objects found with skeletons all are probably Anglo-Saxon, except the green glass beads. (5)
Howick Heugh is one of only eight sites in Bernicia which have produced pagan Anglo-Saxon graves, and is the only one which can be called a cemetery. (6)
Minimum of 15 inhumations found 1928-30. Trenching in 1937 produced no more.
Skeleton 1: head to south, no grave goods.
Skeleton 2: crouched, facing west, no grave goods.
Skeleton 3 and 4: no record.
Skeleton 5: beneath cairn, head to west, knife blade fragments and two other knives attributed.
Skeleton 6: head to north-east, two green glass beads and iron knife, second skull at feet.
Skeleton 7: knife fragment, indication of burning.
Skeleton 8: limpet and periwinkle shells.
Skeleton 9: disturbed.
Skeleton 10: female, head to north-west.
Five more burials noted, no details. Other artifacts found nearby. Date 5th-7th century AD. (7)
Additional references (8a-b)
Site marked by R C Bosanquet (at NU 2364 1688). (2)
(NU 23601683) 'I was present when the graves were found just below ground level'. (Approximate site indicated to investigator). No further information. Present location of finds not known. (3)
The quarry is still in use, but no further finds have been reported. (4)
Finds with the skeletons in Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle upon Tyne, accession number 1935.20. Include: brown vitreous bead (1935.20.1); opaque green glass beads, possibly Roman (1935.20.2a,2b); iron bridle bit (1935.20.3); bronze fragment (1935.20.4); iron knives, minimum of five, too fragmentary and corroded for further details (1935.20.6); iron spearhead (1935.20.6); bronze stud (1935.20.10). Of the objects found with skeletons all are probably Anglo-Saxon, except the green glass beads. (5)
Howick Heugh is one of only eight sites in Bernicia which have produced pagan Anglo-Saxon graves, and is the only one which can be called a cemetery. (6)
Minimum of 15 inhumations found 1928-30. Trenching in 1937 produced no more.
Skeleton 1: head to south, no grave goods.
Skeleton 2: crouched, facing west, no grave goods.
Skeleton 3 and 4: no record.
Skeleton 5: beneath cairn, head to west, knife blade fragments and two other knives attributed.
Skeleton 6: head to north-east, two green glass beads and iron knife, second skull at feet.
Skeleton 7: knife fragment, indication of burning.
Skeleton 8: limpet and periwinkle shells.
Skeleton 9: disturbed.
Skeleton 10: female, head to north-west.
Five more burials noted, no details. Other artifacts found nearby. Date 5th-7th century AD. (7)
Additional references (8a-b)
N5634
EXCAVATION, Howick Quarry 1930
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; B H Pritchard
EXCAVATION, Howick Heugh
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1955; E Geary
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1969; B H Pritchard
EXCAVATION, Howick Heugh
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