Level 2 - Theme - Living in Sussex after the Romans (The Saxons)

Introduction

At the start of the 5th century AD, many aspects of life in Roman Britain were in decline. Most of the villas were either abandoned or in need of serious repair, and the army was too small to protect the people from barbarians outside the empire.

The Saxons, who came from modern day Germany, may originally have been hired by the British rulers to help defend their lands. But soon, they came over in larger numbers and began to take over the British lands. By the mid 6th century, it is likely that most of Sussex was under Saxon control.

Evidence for the Saxons in this period comes mainly from their burial sites, as their settlements are hard to identify. Their buildings were constructed in wood and other organic materials, so leave little trace in the soil. Fortunately the Saxons' religious beliefs led them to bury many personal items with their dead. All the objects mentioned below come from burial sites.

Q	- Click on links below to view the evidence
1	What kinds of site in Sussex are associated with the Saxons?
2	How did the Saxons decorate themselves?
3	What evidence is there for warfare?
4	What everyday domestic artefacts have been found?
5	What unusual or imported goods were found in burials?