Athene age 8 |
This pair of brooches (AN1935.53a) are of a type known as saucer brooches because of their shape. As we can see on these brooches, they are decorated on the flat area and have a raised rim. The type of decoration in the center of these brooches is known as a ring-and-dot motif. This is surrounded by seven spirals and large circles on the outside. The sprial pattern was relatively common on this type of brooch. The brooches are made of gilt bronze (copper alloy) and originally had an iron pin which is now missing. There is evidence on one of the brooches that it was repaired in the Anglo-Saxon period. |
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Edward Thurlow Leeds excavated these brooches from the grave of a woman (grave 102) in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery on Saxton Road in Abingdon in 1935 . |
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The brooches were found on the shoulders of the skeleton, which is where they were usually worn. Two beads (AN1935.53b-c), one of amber and one of rock crystal, which were probably worn around the neck, were also excavated from the burial. |
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An iron buckle (AN1935.53e) was found at the woman's waist, suggesting she wore a belt, together with a small iron knife (AN1935.53d) and an iron pin (AN1935.53f). |
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| The contents of this burial are typical of the range of finds which are found in Anglo-Saxon female graves. | |||||
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