![Sample our Humanities journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5939/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Humanities.jpg"})
Abstract
An archaeological evaluation at the site of an Anglo-Saxon ‘great hall complex’ at Sutton Courtenay/Drayton, Oxfordshire (NGR 448733 193671), previously known primarily from aerial photographs and metal-detector finds, included the partial excavation of two large timber buildings. One of these had been cut into a prehistoric mound or bank and proved to be the largest Anglo-Saxon ‘great hall’ yet identified. The smaller building overlay an earlier sunken-featured building of probable sixth-century date. The geophysical survey and excavation provide significant new information regarding the site, which is probably that of an undocumented royal centre associated with the earliest rulers of the West Saxons.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This programme of post-excavation and assessment work was commissioned and funded by Videotext Communications Ltd. The authors would also like to thank Chris Welch (English Heritage) and Anni Byard (Finds Liaison Officer) for their advice and assistance. Finally thanks are extended to Lynda Ward for allowing access to the site for geophysical survey and archaeological evaluation.
The geophysical survey was undertaken by John Gater, Claire Stevenson and Emma Wood of GSB Prospection. The field survey was undertaken by Henry Chapman, University of Birmingham. The excavation strategy was devised by the late Mick Aston in consultation with Helena Hamerow.
The excavations were undertaken by Phil Harding (Wessex Archaeology), Matt Williams, Ian Powlesland, Faye Simpson, Raksha Dave and Tracey Smith assisted by Jack Crennel, Phil Matthews, Dian King, Andy Hood, Charlotte Haines and Eoin Fitzsimons. The metal detector survey was carried out by Trevor Sprules and Kevin Benning. The on-site recording was co-ordinated by Naomi Hall (née Brennan), and on-site finds processing was carried out by Hannah Spieler, both of Wessex Archaeology. An on-line copy of the assessment report may be found in the ADS grey literature library http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/greylit/ (doi: 10.5284/1023493) and also on the Wessex Archaeology website, http://www.wessexarch.co.uk/timeteam/reports.
All post-excavation analysis has been conducted by Wessex Archaeology. The illustrations were prepared by Rob Goller. The post-excavation project was managed on behalf of Wessex Archaeology by Lorraine Mepham.
The authors are also grateful to Professor John Blair and to the anonymous referees for their comments on a draft of the text.