Bronze Age cist burials at Birney-Knowe Field (Lesbury)
(NU23281210) (2) About 1823 two drinking cups were found in a rudely formed cist which was divided into two parts one cup was in each compartment. One cup measured 5ins high, 4-1/2ins diameter, at top and 2-3/4ins at bottom and was ornamented by five horizontal zones of dotted lines, with upright or slanting lines between. It is engraved in (1(a)). The other vessel is in the Museum of the Society of Ants in Newcastle. The cist was found in a field called 'Birney-Knowe' in the township of Lesbury. (In a map of the Manor of Lesbury and Bilton 1624, opposite page 413, there are two fields named Burnknowle Roods and Havers centred at
NU 23301248). (1)
The position where the cist was found, as indicated, is in a field of stubble; there are no surface indications of a barrow here. The drinking cup which is 5ins high is in Alnwick Castle Museum Case C No 18. The other one was not seen in the Black Gate Museum where it had apparently been deposited. Burney Know is the Field centred at NU23281220. (3)
'Drinking cup' is similar in type and form to Yorkshire Food vessel, and has been classified as such. (4)
The vessel in Alnwick Castle Museum is listed as a short necked beaker, while the whereabouts of the second, also assumed to be a beaker, is now unknown. (5)
Two food vessels from Lesbury [possibly those referred to above].
i) bipartite vase, 76mm high, 104mm rim diameter, 51mm base diameter. Decorated with three encircling lines of twisted cord with rows of whipped cord maggots. In Alnwick Castle Museum (1880-22a).
ii) bipartite vase with shoulder groove, 103mm high, 140mm rim diameter, 90mm base diameter. Rough decoration. In Alnwick Castle Museum (1880-22). (6)
The location of the cist may have been further north, along the ridge of higher ground, as Bronze Age burial sites were often sited on ridges or false ridges. (7)
Additional Reference (8)
NU 23301248). (1)
The position where the cist was found, as indicated, is in a field of stubble; there are no surface indications of a barrow here. The drinking cup which is 5ins high is in Alnwick Castle Museum Case C No 18. The other one was not seen in the Black Gate Museum where it had apparently been deposited. Burney Know is the Field centred at NU23281220. (3)
'Drinking cup' is similar in type and form to Yorkshire Food vessel, and has been classified as such. (4)
The vessel in Alnwick Castle Museum is listed as a short necked beaker, while the whereabouts of the second, also assumed to be a beaker, is now unknown. (5)
Two food vessels from Lesbury [possibly those referred to above].
i) bipartite vase, 76mm high, 104mm rim diameter, 51mm base diameter. Decorated with three encircling lines of twisted cord with rows of whipped cord maggots. In Alnwick Castle Museum (1880-22a).
ii) bipartite vase with shoulder groove, 103mm high, 140mm rim diameter, 90mm base diameter. Rough decoration. In Alnwick Castle Museum (1880-22). (6)
The location of the cist may have been further north, along the ridge of higher ground, as Bronze Age burial sites were often sited on ridges or false ridges. (7)
Additional Reference (8)
N5703
FIELD OBSERVATION, Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Field Investigation 1954; J H Ostridge
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT, Land at Lesbury 2018; Archaeological Services Durham University
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT, Land at Lesbury 2018; Archaeological Services Durham University
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.