In the fourth and fifth centuries AD, the Anglo-Saxon style was introduced in northwestern Europe. To what extent immigrants contributed to this process for each region is still debated. How and when the Anglo-Saxon style spread is essential in this debate. Handmade pottery is the most common find category, but so far it can only be dated globally. An earlier and a later style have been postulated and the introduction of this pottery is seemingly not simultaneous in every region. Hitherto this could not be supported by the radiocarbon dates. The present study shows that, with the help of Bayesian modelling, it is possible to substantiate these patterns, which is of utmost importance for understanding migration patterns, contacts and exchange along the southern North Sea coastal regions during this period.

This paper presents the results of a study of Anglo‐Saxon style pottery in the northern Netherlands and north‐western Germany, involving macroscopic and microscopic analysis of fabrics and finish. Both regions show similar developments in form and decoration in the pottery of the fourth and fifth centuries ad, the late Roman and Migration period, resulting in the typical decoration and shapes that are known as the Anglo‐Saxon style. In the northern Netherlands, this style is traditionally associated with Anglo‐Saxon immigrants. It has, however, been suggested that this style was, rather, part of an indigenous development in areas in the northern Netherlands where occupation was continuous, though influenced by stylistic developments in north‐western Germany. That hypothesis is supported by the analysis of fabrics and finish presented here. The characteristic of fabrics and surface treatment indicate technological continuity. The use of local clay sources for Anglo‐Saxon style pottery and for contemporary regional types indicates that most of the Anglo‐Saxon style pottery in the northern Netherlands was not brought by Anglo‐Saxon immigrants or as imports, but must have been made locally. That applies to settlements with continuous habitation, as well as settlements in the coastal area that were not inhabited during the fourth century ad.