In 2018 an archaeological excavation was undertaken at No. 2 Trinity Close, Felmersham, Bedfordshire in 2018. During the excavation three undated but potentially Saxon skeletons were present. A large field boundary ditch was also present.
These were sealed by a post occupation deposit and a series of rubble limestone surfaces that may possibly be contemporary with a large stone filled pit, identified as an aisle post for a substantially sized building. A stone built oven, likely a bread oven, was recorded to the west of these surfaces.

Digging in Progress
January 2018

A stone built oven, likely to be a bread oven
believed to be from the early medieval period.

During the excavation three undated but potentially Saxon skeletons were present. All three skeletons were female. They were average or above average stature for the period. Two were old age adults and the third was estimated to be young to middle age.

A series of rubble limestone surfaces that may possibly be contemporary with a large stone filled pit, identified as an aisle post for a substantially sized building.

Sketch of the site showing the extent of the archaeology

All pottery found from this site was dated to the 12 -14 century, apart from a single residual Roman sherd and a single Saxon sherd. The results of the excavation have the potential to cast light on the early development of the village in the Saxon and early medieval period.

In 1980 and 1982 three complete skeletons were dug up in the back garden of 1 Trinity Close and between 1983 and 1990 evidence of a further five burials was found during building works and terracing the garden.

The Skeletons were buried East-West with the heads to the West in the usual Christian fashion, (so that when they rise on the day of judgement they face the East). Three of the skeletons were found very close to each other with the legs of one across the other. This suggests a mass burial or a family grave. Because of their East-West orientation they are considered not to be pagan Saxon burials. A pig's skull was found near the head of the skeleton on the left.

An early C14(?) clip and a piece of pottery of the type used from the Saxon period up to at least the 14C were found buried near the 3 skeletons. However they may only be accidentally associated with the burials, either falling into the graves when they were cut or alternatively dug out of the ground and shovelled back in with the rest of the fill. Both clip and the piece of pottery were given to the Bedford Museum.

It is also reported that a skeleton was found during the building of 9 Trinity Close in 1962.

Two inhumations from the Early Anglo-Saxon period were found located near to the present churchyard boundary of St. Mary’s Church during archaeological investigations at the site of The Plough public house.