The Romano-British Villa and Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Eccles, Kent presents a study of the central and lower Medway valley during the 1st millennium AD. It takes as its focus the Eccles Roman villa and Anglo-Saxon cemetery, excavated between 1962-1976 and directed by Alec Detsicas. An account of this important villa throughout its long history is outlined, and a re-assessment of the architectural evidence which Detsicas presented, with fresh interpretations, is provided. In the middle of the 7th century, a large Anglo-Saxon cemetery was established south of the villa. It started as a typical 'Final Phase' cemetery but continued into the late Saxon period. The evidence from the cemetery is presented as a site report, with a burial catalogue, a discussion of the grave goods and a study of the wider aspects of mortuary practice. The monograph also includes a chapter on some fragmentary Iron Age evidence and a discussion of an Anglo-Saxon timber building and its relationship to the cemetery. The evidence from the villa and Anglo-Saxon cemetery is discussed within the context of the Medway valley, which highlights the important contribution that Eccles makes to archaeological knowledge. The significance of the area is further investigated by studies devoted to the pre-English place-names of the valley and the documentary evidence of the area during the Anglo-Saxon period. The volume concludes with a general discussion, which draws together all the strands of evidence and evaluates the significance of the Medway valley during the 1st millennium AD.

About the Author
Nick Stoodley was awarded his PhD from the University of Reading and is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Winchester. His research interests concern the archaeology of early Anglo-Saxon England, with a particular interest in the region of Wessex. He has published monographs on Anglo-Saxon cemeteries and contributed papers on aspects of the period's mortuary ritual to edited volumes. He is the lead archaeologist for the community-based Meon Valley Archaeology and Heritage Group, which is currently investigating settlement patterns in this Hampshire valley. ;

Stephen R. Cosh is an archaeological writer and illustrator specialising on the Roman period. He is the co-author of the four-volume corpus of Romano-British mosaics and has written numerous articles and specialist reports. He was awarded the degree of D Litt from the University of Reading in 2006.

Reviews

'This is not a book for the general reader, but it has much to offer any classicist or archaeologist with an interest in Roman Britain. Kent was a particularly significant part of the province. It was the main port of entry from the continent, the site of the famous triumphal arch signifying the conquest of Britannia, the first section of Watling Street and the main base (on this side of the channel) of the Classis Britannica, Rome's British fleet. Hence the particular significance of the villa at Eccles. The book also has much to offer medieval historians. It is packed with hard data about the Anglo-Saxon finds, and sets these in their historical context.' - Rupert Jackson (2022): Classics for All

'This knowledge of the archaeology of Eccles, set within such a multi-disciplinary approach, provides far more than a normal archaeological report.' - Della Hooke (2022): Medieval Archaeology, 66/2

Book Information
ISBN 9781789695878
Author Nick Stoodley
Format Paperback
Page Count 276
Imprint Archaeopress
Publisher Archaeopress
Weight(grams) 1006g