Caroline Palmer, Brigham Young University
I discuss seventh-century East Anglian mortuary practices, juxtaposing the use of grave goods and human osteology to see if there is a distinct gender role division during this time of social and religious change. I examine graves of different statuses to see if this change occurs at different classes, as well as a religious burial site (Westfield Farm) to see if there was a distinct differentiation in monasticism. The sites I include in this paper are Edix Hill, Westfield Farm, Melbourn, and Trumpington, with mention of Bloodmoor Hill in the discussion. My research in this field is ongoing, which will be mentioned in the discussion, as well as a synthesis of the sites previously mentioned. My conclusions summarize the gender-indicative grave goods and gender-dividing arthropathies mentioned below. In addition, it places my work in the wider context of current research being done on this topic, and the possible future implications of my work.