Anglo-Saxon monastery excavated at Berkshire site
The university of Reading team has returned to Cookham for a fourth year
Last updated 13th Aug 2024
Archaeologists have started work again at the site of an 8th-9th century monastery in Cookham.
Located on land belonging to Holy Trinity Church in Cookham, Berkshire, the Anglo-Saxon monastery is a rare, well-preserved site first discovered in 2021 by staff from the University of Reading’s Archaeology Department.
Staff and students returned in 2022 and 2023 to excavate more of the site. Last year, one of the major discoveries included a cemetery containing more than 50 individuals from three generations, a high proportion of which displayed signs of disease and poor health. The cemetery is being excavated again this year to provide more insights into life - and death - 1,200 years ago.
Professor Gabor Thomas, of the University of Reading, who is leading the excavations said: “The discoveries we have made at Cookham reinforce the national significance of this site.
“Our excavations have begun to paint a detailed picture of the layout and social conditions of the monastery, but there is still a huge amount more to discover.
“2024’s dig involves further exploration of site’s cemetery. Preliminary indications from excavation of the cemetery suggest that individuals were receiving medical care at the monastery.”
Other key discoveries made at Cookham over the past three years include:
A large timber structure that would have been one of the main communal buildings within the monastery.
A well, with a preserved wooden barrel-lined shaft containing other wooden artefacts
A potential watermill close to the modern course of the River Thames.
The excavations are on the site of a monastery led by Queen Cynethryth, who ruled the kingdom of Mercia with her husband King Offa in the late 8th century. A network of more than 20 monasteries was established along the route of the Thames from its source to its mouth in the Anglo-Saxon period.
The excavations are running from 9am to 5pm until Saturday, 31 August and are by the kind permission of, and in collaboration with Holy Trinity Church, Cookham.