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Death and burial in anglo-saxon and medieval england essay

This grave was discovered at Dover, Buckland cemetery1 and is dated at early Anglo-Saxon period.

It’s a double grave with the bodies placed side by side. The dimensions of the grave are: 7ft 6in X 3ft 9in X 1ft 2in, although the exact orientation is uncertain2. The grave was given two identification numbers 96a and 96b.

The body that was found in grave 96a had an estimated age of death at over 40 years and was buried with a silver plated buckle loop with beveled surface, spearhead, knife, iron pin, sword, shield boss and a grip. The skull of the skeleton is at a right position; the left arm and the right leg are slightly bent. According to the preliminary bone report3 and the accompanying grave goods assemblage were used to determine Grave 96a as male.

The individual in Grave 96b had an estimated age of death between the ages of 20 and 30 years and was buried with a knife, a spearhead, an iron pin and a sword. The skull of the skeleton is at right position, both arms are straight with the hands on top of femurs and the right foot is crossed over the left one.

Grave 96b was also identified as male by the grave goods despite the fact that the preliminary bone report was uncertain. Further analysis of the skeleton suggested that the individual was a female, but there wasn’t a definitive result, the sexual identity of the occupant of 96b remains indefinite.

Stereotypically the grave goods belong to a male, but it is not uncommon for females to be found buried alongside weaponry (women warriors like amazons). Considering the layout of the grave4, we will see that the skeletons have been similarly positioned. Both swords have been placed into the grave at very similar angle between the main body and the left hand. Both skulls have also been positioned facing the same direction, looking down towards the right shoulder.

It was suggested by Evison5 that both graves belonged to ‘ warriors of noble rank’ (war equipment), possibly a homosexual couple, unlike to be a male and female warriors or couple. Accorded to the evidence of bone similarity there is the possibility that homosexuality was be socially acceptable to the Anglo-Saxons.

For this reason, they allowed to commit this type of double burial. Unfortunately we cannot state clearly the sex and the events that led to this particular burial; we can only make suggestions, because it’s a ‘ deviant burial’ in all its forms.

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