The last lecture of the year for the Winchester Archaeological Rescue Group was by Ian Wykes, project manager for Lankhills.

The Roman cemetery was discovered by Frank Cottrill in 1961 and excavations followed from 1962 to 1972 under the leadership of Giles Clarke, to whom Mr Wykes paid tribute for his meticulous and accurate work.

Mr Clarke discovered about 451 burials, on an East-West alignment, which made it possible that they were Christian.

The excavations under Ian Wykes began in 2000 in advance of building work at the school and they will be continuing next year. So far, about 150 graves have been found, of which 50 have been excavated.

These, like the earlier excavations, were found to be on an East-West alignment. However, grave goods have been discovered such as pottery, and a penny for the boatman, Charon, to ferry the deceased across the River Styx to the Elysian Fields, which would tend to indicate Roman pagan graves. However, Ian postulated that perhaps those interred were Christians still retaining some pagan customs.

Unusual finds were three decapitated individuals - two adults and one child. The theory has been that decapitation after death indicated the execution of a criminal, but this could hardly apply in the case of a three-year-old.

The child was also very carefully buried with beads and bangles, showing a sense of respect for the dead. Perhaps the theory needs to be revisited...

Ian Wykes is particularly interested in applying new scientific principles to the burials, and he hopes, with the aid of DNA testing, to work out family groups.

Lead isotope analysis of the teeth give some indication of place of birth, and Ian hopes to use this to show the origins of the people living in Winchester in the fourth century.

Members are looking forward to a further visit from Ian when next year's excavations have been completed.