What is recorded here

Nine crude graves and two pits emerged west of a Bronze Age enclosure just before the M1 motorway cut through Mell. Five held brittle bones, none complete, while one grave preserved a small silver zoomorphic object beside the missing skull. The dead likely belonged to an early medieval community that gathered near older sacred earth, waiting for living hands to rediscover them centuries later.

Discovered prior to construction of the M1 motorway in 2000 (Excavation Licence No. 00E0430). Situated immediately W of a ring-ditch (LH024-062----) and a Bronze Age enclosure (LH024-063----). Excavation revealed nine graves (orientated E-W) and two pits. Seven of the graves were arranged in a slightly staggered row while the other two lay to the W of the row. Only five contained skeletal remains, none of which were complete and the bone was very brittle in each case. Most of the grave cuts were crudely stone lined. A small silver object with zoomorphic decoration was recovered from one grave, just to the right of where the skull would have been positioned. An early medieval date is suggested for these burials. (Breen 2002, 235) Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 26 June 2013

Bronze Age burial ground, dating to approximately 2000–800 BCE. Its significance lies in its association with nearby ring-ditch and enclosure, suggesting a broader ceremonial or settlement landscape.

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