09-17-2008, 05:30 PM
Quote:Yay - just the kind of thing! I wonder if an occupational link to the Anglo-Saxon burials can be determined?
The article indicates that they expect to discover more evidence of roman and anglo saxon settlements. Lets keep our fingers crossed.
The nearby signal stations, Goldsborough and Huntcliff ended in conflagration in the early years of the 5th cent. The bodies of men women and children were thrown down the wells. It seems that civilians had moved into the signal stations, maybe paying for protection, possibly families of the military. A similar situation occurred in Malton. We don't know who the attackers were, anglo saxons, picts or britons settling old scores but if there is some sort of continuity of settlement at Loftus, it may thrown some light on the matter.
If the later 7th cent burials do indicate a royal site, there has to be a reason why that site was chosen. The most obvious reason is that some anglo saxon group took over the station as their base in the 5th cent and a settlement developed and they became the local power. However, it's still a long shot and there's no evidence yet. I hope they keep digging!
best
Harry Amphlett