(NU 02340059) or (NU 025009) In the year 1858, a barrow, of trifling elevation was accidently opened by workmen in quarrying for limestone, at Tosson, in Northumberland, which is on the south bank of the river Coquet, and about a mile from Rothbury. Indications of many interments in this tumulus were met with, and four cists were exposed, which had been raised upon the natural stratum of limestone, and formed by rough sandstone flags set on edge, over which were large covering flags of the same material. The cists were all placed near to each other, and north and south, or nearly so. They were the usual short cists, but differed among themselves in length. Each contained a skeleton, laid on its side in a contracted position with the head to the south; and also an earthen vase. Two of these vases, doubtless food vessels, were standing upright; and the other two were inverted, covering deposits of human ashes. The pottery of all these vessels was reddish outside and black within. They were of different sizes; one of the largest and coarsest, most likely one of the cinerary urns, was 8ins high, and ornamented with the linear indentations in different combinations.
Besides the earthen vases other objects were disinterred from the cists; the lower portion of an antler of a Red-deer, and a small plain bronze buckle. In addition the cists yielded two studs, or buttons, made of jet, and the remains of a spearhead of iron. The jet studs are of different sizes, but otherwise alike. The largest is 2ins in diameter. They are slightly conical and much polished by use on one side, flat on the underside. The small iron spearhead, much corroded with rust, is 6ins long, 4ins belonging to the blade and 2ins to the socket, which retained a portion of the wood of the shaft. The latter must have been broken on interment.
The construction and position of the cists leave no question that the interments belong to the same age and period. That this was late the presence of the iron weapon seems to indicate. Very probably it may have been during the early occupation of Britain by the Romans.... The neighbouring country affords many examples of groups of hut circles, or British villages, with their tumular cemeteries and strongholds on the summits of hills; one of the latter of which to the north, 'Brough Hill' is not much removed from the site of the Tosson cemeteries. (1)

In 1858, near to the hill of Simonside four cists were discovered in a ploughed down tumulus. Two of the cists were orientated north-south and two south-west/north-east. Each cist contained an urn and a crouched burial. The cists rested on the natural limestone surface.
Two urns were standing upright and two were inverted on flat stones. One of the Tosson urns, preserved almost whole, is 5-1/2 inches high, 3 inches diameter at the base and bears chevron ornament. A larger urn, broken, had zig-zag ornament.
Three (.?.) coal buttons, 2 inches in diameter were taken from one of the larger cists. A small bronze buckle, now lost, and an iron javelin head were discovered in the other cists. The blade of the javelin was 4 inches long and the tubular portion, 2 inches long, contained decayed wood. (2)

(Account similar to description in Authority 1, but Greenwell notes that several Anglian burials have been found near Hepple, not four miles distant from Tosson). (3)

The iron javelin and bronze buckle that were found in a limestone quarry near Great Tosson probably belonged to a post-Roman interment. [Account of finds similar to description in Authority 1]. (4)

Great Tosson 1858. Food vessel (type 3) [reproduced in authority 3] and jet button from a cist. Food vessel (type 3) with jet button and antler pick 16 inches long from second cist. All finds in British Museum. Also two urns each in a separate slab cist, inverted over a flat stone, apparently from an unburnt burial. [Type or present location of urns not stated. Listed as 'Urns known from literature only']. (6)

There are several disused limestone quarries in the vicinity of Great Tosson. It could not be established in which of these the finds were made, though it is probable that they were from the Old Quarry on Burgh Hill (NU 02340059) or from Tosson Quarry (NU 02580095). Location of finds in British Museum not confirmed. Present location of other finds not ascertained. (6)

Food vessel from one of four cists, accompanied by contracted inhumation, and jet button. Bipartite vase, 128mm high, 139mm rim diameter, 48mm base diameter; in British Museum (BM 79.12-9.1457). Food vessel urn [found as above], bipartite, 214mm high, 198mm rim diameter, 90mm base diameter. In British Museum (BM 79.12-9.1458). Also two cinerary urns inverted on stones under a barrow. Lost. (7)

Four cists discovered 1858 during quarrying, circa one mile west of Rothbury. Each contained a contracted inhumation. At least two cists contained a food vessel. (8)

Limestone quarrying revealed stone cists - majority 2nd millennium BC. One contained Anglo-Saxon spearhead and buckle. Also in British Museum are an iron bridle bit and pair of shears (nos 1357 and 1358) said to come from the same site. (9)