EDM 1358: Cookham Abbey Dig 2025

That this House celebrates the commencement of the 2025 excavation season at the site of the Anglo-Saxon monastery in Cookham, Berkshire, led by the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology; notes the exceptional preservation and national significance of the site, which was first identified in 2021 and has since yielded important discoveries including over 70 burials, many showing evidence of disease and healing, indicating the monastery's role as a centre of care and healing in the 8th and 9th centuries; acknowledges the site's historical importance as a royal monastery under Queen Cynethryth, widow of King Offa of Mercia, and its strategic location along the River Thames, a vital trade and communication route during the Anglo-Saxon period; commends the collaborative efforts of the University of Reading, Holy Trinity Church Cookham and the Friends of Cookham Abbey in facilitating the excavation and engaging the local community through educational outreach and public tours; and encourages continued support for this project, which offers invaluable insights into early medieval monastic life and contributes significantly to our understanding of England's historical heritage