West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is one of the most significant Early Saxon settlements ever excavated, as it was remarkably well-preserved and free from any later occupation.
Located in Suffolk, West Stow is the site of an early Anglo-Saxon village, occupied from AD 420-650, over 400 years before the Norman Conquest.
It was a time when the Roman Empire had withdrawn from Britain, and the landscape was beginning to be shaped by the Saxons who migrated from Northern Europe.
What makes West Stow so important is the fact that it was almost entirely undisturbed by later occupations, allowing archaeologists to study the settlement in its original form, untainted by the layers of time that often obscure other ancient sites.
The excavations, which took place from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, revealed a wealth of information about the everyday lives of these early settlers.
West Stow was not a grand or fortified city, but rather a rural village, consisting of wooden huts and small farmsteads that sprawled across the area.
The discovery of more than 70 buildings, including sunken-floored structures known as "grubenhäuser," sheds light on the Saxons’ architectural techniques and the materials they used.
Another category of buildings uncovered at West Stow consisted of seven larger structures supported by wooden posts, which left behind postholes - the excavators identified these structures as halls.
Five of the buildings were situated along the central spine of the hill, while the remaining two were positioned on the northern and southern sides, respectively.
Most of the buildings were aligned in an east-to-west direction, though the hall on the northern slope was oriented northwest to southeast.
The structures in this village were simple yet functional, constructed primarily from timber with thatched roofs.
Some were built partly below ground level to help with insulation and were likely used for storage or other practical purposes.
Life for the majority of people during the 5th to 7th centuries revolved around farming and survival.
Most people were peasants, working the land and producing just enough to sustain themselves and their families.
The tools of agriculture were basic, iron plows and simple hand tools, but people were skilled in managing the land.
The diet was simple too, consisting mainly of bread, porridge, vegetables, and meat when available.
Social life meanwhile, centred on the family and the local community - villages were close-knit, with everyone contributing to the communal well-being.
Unlike many archaeological sites that have been built upon or altered over centuries, West Stow was abandoned by the early Saxons and never reoccupied in the same way.
This allowed archaeologists to study it without interference from later construction or farming, which can often destroy or complicate historical evidence.
As a result, the layout of the village could be examined in great detail, giving a clear picture of how the community was organised.
Excavations revealed evidence of weaving, metalworking, and farming.
Animal bones and remnants of crops like wheat and barley suggest that the village was largely self-sufficient, with the Saxons practicing a mixed economy based on agriculture and animal husbandry.
They would have also engaged in craft production, such as textile weaving, with spindle whorls and loom weights being among the artefacts uncovered.
The site also offers a deeper understanding of the cultural shift that occurred in post-Roman Britain.
The early Saxons who settled here were part of the larger wave of Germanic peoples who began to fill the power vacuum left by the retreat of the Roman legions.
At West Stow, it’s possible to see how these early settlers maintained some traditions while adopting new ones as they adjusted to life in their new homeland.
The Saxons brought with them their own customs, language, and beliefs, and West Stow reflects this period of cultural transformation.
Today, West Stow has been painstakingly reconstructed into an open-air museum, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience what life might have been like for the early Saxons.
The reconstructed village features replicas of the original wooden houses, including grubenhäuser, based on the findings of the excavation.
Walking through the reconstructed settlement, it is easy to imagine the village bustling with activity, with families working in the fields, crafting textiles, or preparing meals over open hearths.
The smells of wood smoke and the sounds of livestock would have filled the air, creating a picture of early medieval life that feels both distant and familiar.
Tickets can be purchased via their official website, and we suggest that you check opening times before you leave.
Someone who visited in September 2024 said: “This is an excellent museum to visit a lot to see on the local Anglo Saxon history of the area and you can see the influence of European people on early Britain.
”They are already planning expansion to the site there is a round house in the process of being built.
”What I like is the way the first houses were built using original (or as interpreted) techniques.”
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