Anglo Saxon settlements
Most Anglo-Saxons lived in small communities or isolated farms. There were few towns of any size.
A Saxon 'village' consisted of several single-roomed buildings. These were grouped together around a large hall or meeting house where the family would have lived, eaten and slept.
Buildings would have been timber-framed, probably infilled with wattle panels daubed with clay to make them weatherproof and with thatched roofs. The houses had a central hearth for heating, cooking and light. Anglo-Saxon families were large—everyone lived under the same roof, from the main family to extended family such as grandparents, unmarried siblings and children.
Today Anglo-Saxon settlement sites are hard to find as very little survives. Archaeological excavation can detect the differently coloured soil fills of post-holes and trenches left by rectangular buildings and fenced enclosures.
Technology
The Anglo-Saxons were highly skilled at many and varied crafts. We can begin to understand their technology by studying the objects that we find on their settlements and buried with their dead.
Pottery
Saxon pottery was made by hand. The clay pots were left to dry then baked in an oven or bonfire to harden them. Pottery could be decorated in many ways. Lines and drawings were made in the surface of the unfired clay with antler or wooden tools.
Bone Working
Many objects were made out of bone and horn. This was a very specialised craft. Various objects such as combs, rings, needles and pins were manufactured. Some of the larger items like combs may have been made out of whale bones.
Jewellery
Jewellery was a common part of Saxon costume. Most jewellery was made of bronze although gold or silver was used for richer examples. Brooches were often cast in separate pieces and soldered together.
Metalwork
A blacksmith would have been available at most villages. Blacksmiths would have made spades, ploughs, weapons, locks and jewellery. Most of a smith's everyday work would have been repairing broken objects. Metalwork was often decorated with patterns. Many designs were simply punched onto metalwork.
References:
Multiple sources including Peterborough Museum
Images:
Anglo Saxon house at Butser taken by the author
Anglo Saxon horn platter, bowl, drinking horn and spoon and bone needles and comb (replica)
Bone Needles (replica)
Cover image Hedda Stone Peterborough Cathedral
