IntroductionThis interim statement covers eight seasons' work on the continuing excavation of the Middle-Saxon settlement. The essential features of the site are: it is a complete settlement with buildings, industrial area, church and attendant cemeteries all concentrated within a readily defined island; the occupation of the bulk of the site is restricted to the Middle-Saxon period -this not only eases the problems of artefact dating, but also removes the complication of damage by subsequent occupation; the high quality and quantity of artefacts indicate a site of high social status with strong ecclesiastical ties.The settlement sits beside a 1 km wide arm of the Fenland which follows the valley of the Little Ouse river c. 6 km inland from Hockwold Fen; Brandon was probably the lowest crossing point of the river Ouse until recent times. The site occupies a sand ridge surrounded by peat, and stands as an island in time of flood [FIGURE 1). The river is some 50 m north of the 'island' while the southern margin of the peat deposits (i.e. the edge of the flood plain) is c. 80 m to the south. The island is c. 350 rn east-west by 150 m
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