Saxons Heath
There is archaeological evidence that for nearly as long as people have inhabited England they have lived in or near Long Wittenham. A Stone Age hunter's axe has been found, as have Bronze Age burials. In the Iron Age, the hill fort at Castle Hill dominated the region, providing protection for the local villagers and their animals. There was a sizeable Romano-British farmstead at Northfield arm and there have been many interesting finds in the surrounding fields.
Excavations in the mid 1800s in the area now called Saxon Heath, revealed nearly 200 burials dating from the late fifth century. the older ones were burials, the later ones cremations. Glass and amber beads, bronze brooches and buckles were also found. the village established by Witta and his people in the fifth century lasted over several centuries absorbing invaders from Mercia and elsewhere, remaining Anglo-Saxon until the arrival of the Normans in 1066. The Vikings came this way, leaving a fine mid-ninth century torque discovered in the village and now in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
The above Bronze brooches, beads, tweezers and pins are Anglo-Saxon, left by Witta and his people of the 5th Century.
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This Roman brooch found in Long Wittenham is evidence of Roman presence in the area. |
Last updated 22 July 01