Ruins to reveal more secrets of Anglo-Saxon monastery

Archaeologists are set to pick up their trowels once again to learn more about how people lived, died and were cared for 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 will be excavated again this year to provide more insights into life - and death - 1,200 years ago. 

 

Professor Gabor Thomas, of the University of Reading, is leading the excavations as diggers return to the site for 2024. He 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.” 

 

Expanding the excavations 

 

Other key discoveries made at Cookham over the past three years include: 

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. 

 

Community involvement 

 

The excavations are set to run from 9am to 5pm from Monday, 5 August to Saturday, 31 August and are by the kind permission of, and in collaboration with Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. 

 

There will be site tours led by a senior archaeologist starting Thursday, 8 August. Places can be booked via ticketsource.co.uk. Multiple faith groups, schools and local organisations have already organised visits to the site during the excavations.  

  

Visitors are encouraged to combine their tour of the dig with a visit to the Holy Trinity Church. It was the successor to the Anglo-Saxon monastery, and parts of the building date back to the 1140s.  

 

Father Stephen Mills, Vicar of the Benefice of The Cookhams, said: “The initiative to make archaeology accessible to everyone is truly inspiring. From the perspective of Holy Trinity Church, this project not only makes archaeology accessible for the general public but also invites numerous visitors into our ancient church.”