Upcoming Talk 10th October 2026

3,000 years of life and death at Overstone, Northamptonshire

Speaker: Simon Marcus, MOLA

Simon Markus is the first guest speaker for the 2026-27 season of talks organised by the Rugby Archaeological Society. He is Senior Project Manager at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA).

Between February and December 2019 MOLA undertook excavations at Overstone, Northampton. These revealed one of the most significant Bronze Age funerary landscapes in Northamptonshire, comprising barrows, buildings and over 50 burials. In the 5th century AD a new settlement and cemetery were established alongside the barrows. The cemetery boasts what is believed to be the largest collection of amber beads in the country alongside brooches, spears, shields and other elaborate objects. New research is now unlocking the story of where these people came from and how they lived their lives.

Below is a picture of one of the brooches from the cemetery, and provides an illustration of the level of wealth displayed in some of the burials.

The talk starts at 10:30, Refreshments from 10:00, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, 2nd Floor. Please join us if you can.