Early Anglo-Saxon Christian Reliquaries presents a corpus and discussion of a group of Anglo-Saxon copper-alloy containers dating to the seventh and possibly eighth centuries, and variously described as work boxes, needle cases, amulet containers or Christian reliquaries. Seventy-one boxes, some incomplete or fragmentary, have been recorded from forty-nine sites across Anglo-Saxon England. A typology, material specification, drawings, design and construction principles are provided, and a nomenclature applicable to these containers is outlined. Catalogue entries give details of site location, description, decorative features and references. Three box types are identified, and a concluding discussion suggests that boxes of Types I and II had a Christian function and should be considered as reliquaries. Type III boxes had a secular function, and their purpose remains enigmatic.

About the Author
Anthony Gibson left school without educational qualifications and secured an apprenticeship with an engineering firm. After National Service served in Korea and the Far East with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he started an engineering company. Here he remained as Managing Director until 2003 when a larger organisation purchased the company. In 1983, following a lifelong interest in archaeology and history, he enrolled at the University of Keele and obtained a diploma in Archaeology. Four years later he was accepted as a mature student at the University of Nottingham where he completed a BA(Hons) and MPhil in the subject.


Book Information
ISBN 9781789694086
Author Anthony Gibson
Format Hardback
Page Count 106
Imprint Archaeopress
Publisher Archaeopress
Weight(grams) 547g