Dig Into History – April 2019

A

study of Anglo-Saxon female

burials in Britain reveals that they

are somewhat more elaborate than

male burials. This is because adult

women were buried with dress accessories such as

beads, brooches, and chatelaines (see Fun Fact

opposite). Interestingly, the style of the brooches

varies greatly from region to region, and this

variation is similar to regional variations in

brooch styles in Germany. Yet, the manner in

which brooches of all types were usually worn —

paired on the shoulders with beads strung

between them — was much the same in both

Britain and Germany.

Adult men were usually buried

with just a plain buckle, a knife, and

sometimes a spear. In some graves, a single

bead accompanies the remains of a sword. We do

not know if the clothes in which males were

buried were just as simple. This is because textiles

deteriorate over time. Therefore, what remains in

these burials are only small fragments or

impressions that now mark the corroded parts of

the knives and buckles.

Pottery is also found in both male and

female burials. However, it was most commonly

used for cremation urns rather than placed in

burials as grave goods. Many pots are remarkably

by Karen Brush

Brooches are ornaments that are held by a pin or clasp and worn at or near the neck.

A Look

at the

‘Goods’

16