Halls West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village

the interior of reconstructed hall, constructed in 2005.

the other category of building uncovered @ west stow consisted of 7 larger structures held wooden posts left behind postholes; excavators interpreted these halls. 5 of these buildings located along central spine of hill, other 2 being positioned on north side , south side respectively. of buildings positioned east west, although hall on north slope instead orientated north-west south-east.

four of halls simple, rectangular areas defined single row of post holes. another, hall no. 2, more complex others, having internal division , double post-holes along length. no. 7 different because built sleeper beam , larger post holes, while hall no. 5 cannot defined because lay in area had seen multiple features rebuilt on top of it.

hall 1 located on eastern end of site, , survived defined of post-built structures. 26 ft (7.9m) in length , 13 ft 6in (4.1m) in breadth, there gaps in south , east side walls, suggesting existence of 2 doorways. no hearth found, although patch of burnt sand, 2 ft (0.6m) in diameter, found in centre of hall. no objects found within building, although 4 uncovered post-holes: roman bronze coin era of emperor valens, flat iron strip, flat palette , fragment of pottery spindle-whorl.

hall 2, largest of structures, located on crest of hill, surrounded sfbs. 32 ft (9.75m) in length , 14 ft (4.27m) in width, there partition down eastern side of building, creating chamber 8 ft (2.44m) wide. east of hall s centre patch of burnt sand, marking position of hearth. position of doorway not entirely clear, although excavators believed on south side, close partitioning wall. items discovered in hall 2 included roman bronze coin era of emperor victorinus, bronze , iron strips, bone pin, fragments of both glass , loomweight, variety of iron objects, including knife, nail, plate , key.

the reconstruction of hall, constructed in 2005.

the incomplete hall 3, on same axis halls 1 , 2, akin in shape , size former, of south side had been obliterated subsequent construction of other buildings on site. fifteen items found in interior of hall, including 3 bronze roman objects; coin era of emperor constantine i, ligula , dolphin brooch, fragments of glass, spindlewhorl, , series of iron objects. on axis hall 4, heavily obscured later building, appeared cover area @ least 22 ft (6.7m) long , 16 ft (4.9m) wide. 3 finds discovered within it; roman bronze coin era of emperor crispus, roman glass fragment , triangular bone comb.

hall 5 located on south-eastern corner of settlement, on lowest slope of hill. several other of halls, plan has been obscured subsequent buildings constructed on site, although large number of postholes , 3 hearths uncovered; has led excavators believe there had been 2 halls on site, 1 known 5a , other 5b. finds buildings included number of items made out of bronze, iron , bone.

hall 6 @ far western end of hill, along same east-to-west axis halls 1, 2, 3 , 4. @ least 25 ft (7.6m) long , 12 ft (3.7m) wide, structure apparently relatively weak in design, , within discovered roman bronze spoon, , 2 iron objects, 1 of possibly small chisel. hall 7 contained dark layer of material @ occupation layer, finds including variety of stones, bones , sherds, along burnt daub, unburnt clay mixed chalk , broken anglo-saxon pot. has been interpreted being 37 ft 6in in length , 25 ft 9in in diameter, making largest of halls @ west stow. subject various possible interpretations, although represented sophisticated building @ west stow, involving more advanced technique shown many of other constructions. artefacts found @ site included number of roman bronze coins, , variety of bronze, iron, glass , bone artefacts.