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.
