Original site of the Village

This aerial view of the site in 1946 has been marked to outline the original settlement. The site extends to about 5 acres, and the knoll stands at up to 15 feet above the surrounding ground level. The 19th century tree belt bisecting the site still exists. Note the sandpit being excavated top right of the site, and the rectangular sewage filter beds on the right (east) of it.

Sequence of Occupation
at West Stow
440 AD to 650 AD

 

As proposed by Dr Stanley West, 2001

(Please click images to enlarge)

NOTES
Contour lines outline the knoll on which the village stood.
The gap between the two halves could not be excavated because of the tree belt which still bisects the site.


West Stow around 440

In "West Stow Revisited", Stanley West suggested that from c440 AD to c480 AD there were these two family groups of buildings located at the site at West Stow. The buildings marked in blue were located around the hall which he referred to as H3. The dwellings marked in red were associated around hall reference H2.
(The H2 dwellings marked in red on this plan are basically in the area where the reconstructed village was built in the years after 1973.)


West Stow around 480

Hall group 3, marked in blue is dated to 450 to 500 AD, while the group marked in red, Halls 2 and 5A, are dated from 480 to 520 AD. These datings are very approximate based upon knowledge of the artefacts found within the buildings, and their lifespan based upon experience from the reconstructions.


West Stow around 550

Hall group 4, marked in blue is dated to 500 to 550 AD, while the group marked in red, Hall 5B, are dated from 520 to 600 AD. Hall group 5B also covers the period known as the Illington/Lackford pottery phase, which is thought to be in the late 6th to early 7th centuries.


West Stow around 600

This plan is Stanley West's view of the village at West Stow in the years from 550 to 600 AD. Hall group 6 is marked in blue and Hall group 5B is in red. Also in red is the the early phase of Hall 7. (Hall group 5B also covers the period known as the Illington/Lackford pottery phase, which is thought to be in the late 6th to early 7th centuries.)


West Stow around 650

It used to be thought that the period of occupation on the West Stow site lasted for about 200 years from 450 to 650. This plan shows how Stanley West thought the village would have looked by 650 AD. The village has shifted its focus over its life away from the river to the north-east corner of the higher ground.
However, new research about a type of pottery, called Ipswich ware, found at West Stow may indicate that it lasted as long as another 50 years.


The Ipswich Ware issue

This distribution plot of Ipswich ware and other 7th century objects does not fit well with the previous plans if Ipswich wares are dated later than 650.

Source
These plans by Stanley West represent his view of the evolution of the village at West Stow
as described in his book entitled "West Stow Revisited", published in 2001.


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