ASE uncover execution, Anglo-Saxon style

ucl.ac.uk/archaeologyse" target="_self">Archaeology South-East (ASE) uncovered human remains dating to the 11th century during excavation work on the South Downs for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, with the body showing signs of a traumatic death.

ASE, working on behalf of the Rampion project, uncovered the well-preserved remains of the adult male aged 25-35 years in a well-cut grave in chalk bedrock on the south-western side of Truleigh Hill, north of Shoreham-by Sea during the wind farm construction process. The isolated burial was found along the ancient route of the South Downs Way in an area of known prehistoric graves recorded in the West Sussex Historic Environment Record.

The skeleton, recovered largely intact, was laid face upwards with his arms at his side in an east west alignment, with no sign of a coffin. Evidence of trauma was represented by a well-healed fracture on the left arm, evidence of stress on the vertebrae due to repeated bending/twisting motions and two cut marks located at the mid length of the neck. The skeleton's age was established by radiocarbon dating which indicated death before the Norman Conquest.

According to Jim Stevenson, Project Manager for Archaeology South-East:

• "Specialist osteological assessment and radiocarbon dating has revealed that the skeleton is most likely to be an execution burial of the later Anglo Saxon period of around 1010-1025 AD. Most significantly two cut marks made by a sharp blade or knife were found at the mid length of the neck, which would have proved fatal for the individual."

The burial, seemingly isolated and not located within a formal Christian graveyard, as would be expected for this period, could indicate that the individual was executed due to some crime or misconduct. A programme of strontium isotype analysis will be carried out and it is hoped that further analysis will shed light on where this individual grew up and whether his death played a role in the formation of local territories.

Public event

An archaeology evening is being hosted by Rampion at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Tuesday 12 June at 7pm. A number of archaeological finds uncovered during construction will be on display including the vertebrae from the Saxon skeleton showing cut marks, as well as a selection of prehistoric, Roman and medieval pottery and various flint tools. The event is free to attend and speakers from the wind farm, environmental consultants RSK, Wessex Archaeology and Archaeology South-East will be present.

Media links

• Rampion Offshore Wind Press Release
• BBC News
• ITV News
• 4C Offshore News
• The Argus
• Chichester Observer

---