Archaeologists working on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm project in England have made remarkable early medieval discoveries, shedding new light on Anglo-Saxon life in the Holderness region. These findings, which emerged during the excavation of a 30km corridor for underground cables connecting the wind farm to onshore convertor stations near Beverley, provide crucial insight into the area’s history, particularly from the 5th to the 11th centuries.
Among the significant finds was the remains of an Anglo-Saxon long hall structure discovered between Beeford and Skipsea. This long hall, along with field system ditches, suggests that Anglo-Saxons lived, farmed, and carried out industrial activities in the region over several centuries. Nearby, evidence of metalworking from the 5th or 6th centuries was also identified. These discoveries are critical in piecing together the early medieval history of Holderness, an area previously known for its Anglo-Saxon settlements due to the linguistic heritage found in local place names.
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Rebecca Jarosz-Blackburn, Project Manager for AOC Archaeology, which led the excavation, expressed her excitement over these discoveries: “For me, the most surprising and rewarding discovery on this project was the Anglo-Saxon long hall and associated field systems we recorded near Beeford, which represents some of the most extensive evidence from the period in the Holderness region.”
Radiocarbon dating is being employed to further understand the chronology of these sites. It is anticipated that the Anglo-Saxon presence in Holderness spanned several phases between the 5th and 11th centuries. The wind farm developers have invested in this scientific approach to ensure that local communities and historians have access to accurate data about the region’s past.
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In addition to the Anglo-Saxon finds, the excavation revealed well-preserved Iron Age and Roman roundhouses, a long-handled bone comb, and pottery from various sites, including Ulrome, Beeford, and Leven. These artefacts offer a broader view of the area’s occupation across different historical periods. The artefacts uncovered, including pottery and metalwork, indicate that the region was not only a settlement site but also an industrial hub during the Anglo-Saxon era.
The discoveries were made possible by the work on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once completed. Situated 130km off the Yorkshire coast, it is expected to supply renewable energy to six million UK homes annually. As part of the project, archaeological investigations were conducted to safeguard historical evidence before construction began.
Rachel Lawrence, Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, noted the importance of preserving the region’s heritage: “Safeguarding historical evidence has been a critical part of our preparation work on Dogger Bank Wind Farm. We’re delighted we’re now able to share these exciting findings with the people who live in the towns and villages where this work was undertaken.”
The archaeological work near Beeford has significantly advanced our understanding of early medieval Holderness region. “Anglo Saxon discoveries of this kind are really interesting, because they give an opportunity to look at the everyday lives of people from the period – including how they farmed and interacted with the landscape,” Jarosz-Blackburn notes. “Unlike a cemetery site, where you might find the brooches and more precious items, if you can identify an Anglo-Saxon farming or settlement site you get a rare chance to investigate more of the reality of life in the period.”
Archaeologists working on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm project in England have made remarkable early medieval discoveries, shedding new light on Anglo-Saxon life in the Holderness region. These findings, which emerged during the excavation of a 30km corridor for underground cables connecting the wind farm to onshore convertor stations near Beverley, provide crucial insight into the area’s history, particularly from the 5th to the 11th centuries.
Among the significant finds was the remains of an Anglo-Saxon long hall structure discovered between Beeford and Skipsea. This long hall, along with field system ditches, suggests that Anglo-Saxons lived, farmed, and carried out industrial activities in the region over several centuries. Nearby, evidence of metalworking from the 5th or 6th centuries was also identified. These discoveries are critical in piecing together the early medieval history of Holderness, an area previously known for its Anglo-Saxon settlements due to the linguistic heritage found in local place names.
Rebecca Jarosz-Blackburn, Project Manager for AOC Archaeology, which led the excavation, expressed her excitement over these discoveries: “For me, the most surprising and rewarding discovery on this project was the Anglo-Saxon long hall and associated field systems we recorded near Beeford, which represents some of the most extensive evidence from the period in the Holderness region.”
Radiocarbon dating is being employed to further understand the chronology of these sites. It is anticipated that the Anglo-Saxon presence in Holderness spanned several phases between the 5th and 11th centuries. The wind farm developers have invested in this scientific approach to ensure that local communities and historians have access to accurate data about the region’s past.
In addition to the Anglo-Saxon finds, the excavation revealed well-preserved Iron Age and Roman roundhouses, a long-handled bone comb, and pottery from various sites, including Ulrome, Beeford, and Leven. These artefacts offer a broader view of the area’s occupation across different historical periods. The artefacts uncovered, including pottery and metalwork, indicate that the region was not only a settlement site but also an industrial hub during the Anglo-Saxon era.
The discoveries were made possible by the work on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once completed. Situated 130km off the Yorkshire coast, it is expected to supply renewable energy to six million UK homes annually. As part of the project, archaeological investigations were conducted to safeguard historical evidence before construction began.
Rachel Lawrence, Community Engagement Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, noted the importance of preserving the region’s heritage: “Safeguarding historical evidence has been a critical part of our preparation work on Dogger Bank Wind Farm. We’re delighted we’re now able to share these exciting findings with the people who live in the towns and villages where this work was undertaken.”
The archaeological work near Beeford has significantly advanced our understanding of early medieval Holderness region. “Anglo Saxon discoveries of this kind are really interesting, because they give an opportunity to look at the everyday lives of people from the period – including how they farmed and interacted with the landscape,” Jarosz-Blackburn notes. “Unlike a cemetery site, where you might find the brooches and more precious items, if you can identify an Anglo-Saxon farming or settlement site you get a rare chance to investigate more of the reality of life in the period.”
Top Image: Photo courtesy Dogger Bank Wind Farm
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