Two posts sent in by Gary – at www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8821137/ … the remains of a 1200 year old Norse place of worship dedicated to gods such as Thor and Odin. It has been discovered in western Norway. At the wooden temple, 45 feet by 26 feet, and almost 40 feet in height, sea faring Vikings came to make sacrifices to the gods, it is alleged. As gods were unable to dig their teeth into the offerings, or the ale that came with them, it was left to the worshippers to have a bit of a tuck in. Lots of speculation here but nothing unusual from the modern media. Lots of feasting took place right across the Neolithic into the Iron Age. Cattle and swine in the main. Was that because these farm animals were in some way avatars of the gods – such as the bull of heaven or the rampant wild boar of folk lore. In the Near and Middle East sheep, and first born lambs, appear to be the animals most commonly sacrificed and eaten at ritual occasions. This in one way reflects the legacy of a pastoral origin – but also the fact that sheep and shepherds were associated with the local gods. Lots of pictures at the link.
At www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-8799141/ … we have the discovery of an Anglo Saxon warrior burial at Marlow, overlooking the Thames. It dates back to the 6th century AD, we are informed, which is probably an educated guess. It was positioned on high ground overlooking the river, according to the report, the exact location being held back in case of night hawkers. It was in a field on the Berkshire side of the Thames, we are later told, and once again lots of pictures. It is unclear for the moment if the site featured a ploughed out barrow as Anglo Saxon pagans seem to have favoured such burials for important individuals. For example, there is an A/S barrow burial at nearby Taplow, on a bluff overlooking the Thames, and another barrow, the so called Montem Mound, was located looking out over the Thames flood plain towards Windsor. Urban development has now caught up with it but it was preserved as it was incorporated into a municipal park. The town of Slough has only really grown up since the 19th century and rail commuting. Metro land if you like. The line of the A4 road runs along a high ridge of land between Slough and Maidenhead, with a wide flood plain with numerous streams below it, in the direction of Chalvey, Dorney and Eton, all formerly islands with farms located in and amongst the flood plain.