A Roman cemetery was excavated at 5-5a Rhodaus Town, Canterbury in 2019. 215 burials containing the remains of 205 individuals were excavated, alongside a cemetery boundary ditch, two animal burials, a shaft feature potentially related to votive deposition, and a shallow feature of indeterminate function.

The cemetery boundary ditch had a visible length of 38.51m and a maximum width of 7.36m. Several phases of ditch cutting/recutting were identified, and it is thought that the initial phase of the creation of the ditch may have occurred during the early-middle Roman period, associated with the early field system.

215 graves were excavated at the site; these comprised "rectangular to sub-rectangular cuts with straight vertical sides, square to rounded edges and flat bases. Where measurable, lengths varied between 1.03m and 3.19m, with a mean average of 1.95m and a standard deviation of 0.38m. Widths varied between 0.22m and 2.21m wide, with a mean average of 0.75m and a standard deviation of 0.23m. Depths varied between 0.02m and 1.85m, with a mean average of 0.47m and a standard deviation of 0.30m" (from the original report, 1). 47% of graves were aligned SW-NE, 23% were aligned NW-SE, 16% were aligned W-E, and 14% were aligned N-S. Around 10% of graves intercut one another, with two instances of stacked burials - with later burials inserted above earlier burials. Another interesting feature was that a space of open ground was left between the general cemetery and the feature interpreted as a 'funerary shaft'.

194 graves demonstrated evidence for human remains, 21 demonstrated none. 213 separate inhumations were recorded, with many double burials, one instance of 3 burials, and one instance of 5 burials in the same grave. A total minimum number of 205 individuals (MNI) was recorded. Analysis of the sample determined that 141 of the skeletons were adults, 22 were adolescents/adults, and 39 were juveniles, with the age of the rest of the sample being indeterminate. Analysis of the adult skeletons determined that 35 of the skeletons were probable/possible males, and 22 were probable/possible females, with the sex of the rest of the sample being indeterminate.

116 of 164 skeletons with dentitions demonstrated evidence for dental pathology and anomalies, with skeletal pathology observed in 42 skeletons. 8 skeletons demonstrated evidence for trauma largely in the form of fractures. There is potential for aDNA and isotope analysis in a number of the skeletal remains.

Finds associated with the graves include iron nails, coffin nails, coffin fittings, iron pins, iron hobnails, a strip of lead object, four bead necklaces (one comprising over 100 glass beads, another comprising two glass and one amber beads, and another comprising 55 amber and 7 glass beads), coffin wood, possible brooches (5 silver), a zoomorphic copper alloy buckle and associated strap end, copper alloy bracelets, a copper alloy hair ring, a copper alloy needle, glass slag, a copper alloy finger ring, unworked flint and stone (found in the mouth of two skeletons), copper alloy buckles, ?shroud pin, fragments of worked quern stones, a silver buckle with folder rectangular plate, a glass object, a human tooth (possibly from another inhumed skeleton or as a separate individual), and an animal tooth - possibly residual.
In terms of grave goods, 8 graves produced evidence for artefacts which were not costume related being deposited within the graves. Part of a seated Mother Goddess figurine made from clay with elaborately styled hair, a textile bag, pottery vessels, and 22 Roman coins. These coins were dated between 141-388 AD.
Residual material including worked flint, pottery, and ceramic building material was also recovered from some grave fills.

The funerary shaft comprised a large circular feature located around 20m NW of the boundary ditch. The feature measured 3.36m in length, 2.85m in width, and was excavated to a depth of 7.40m. The shaft had vertical sides which demonstrated evidence for possible timber lining, and contained 86 deposits. The shaft was located away from the main burial area, with only two grave being located near to it. The shaft appears to have been open during the period in which the cemetery was in use, with material being deposited within the shaft into the 4th century AD. The latest deposit backfilling the shaft inclued 775-900 AD Saxon pottery.
Animal and plant food remains appear to have been deposited in the shaft, forming the main assemblage recovered, suggesting that these may have been votive offering associated with cemetery. The animal remains included cattle pig, sheep/goat, goose, domestic fowl, fish bone and oyster shell, whilst the plant remains included barley, oat, spelt, and emmer wheat, and legumes including peas. Other finds associated with the funerary shaft include and iron knife with the blade broken in two, a sheet and strips of copper alloy, window glass, iron nails, coffin and hobnails, 1 sherd of Roman pottery from a vessel found in an 'organic bag' made from low fired clay or leather, and a possible coffin fitting.

The animal burials were contained within cuts measuring 2.30-2.33m in length, 0.92-1.03m in width, and 0.50-1.12m in depth. The burials contained horse/mule remains, with one of the animals resting on a potential bier (identified by a timber stain). One of the burials was aligned E-W, the other NE-SW.
Finds associated with the two animal burials included iron nails, possible coffin nails, two unidentified iron objects, and a harness with metal (copper alloy and iron) and worked bone (decorated with an incised ring-and-dot motif) fitting. (1)

An excavation carried out in 2015-2016 at an adjacent site revealed further evidence for ths cemetery in the form of 219 inhumations and one cremation. These burials were located within th eplot of land demarcated by the northern and southern boundary ditches discussed in the record regarding Roman quarrying and the presence of a co-axial field system (TR 15 NW 2656). The burial ground itself measured 51x68m; further burials are expected to continue beyond the limits of the excavation to the NE and SW. The inhumations were placed within rectanuglar earth cut graves aligned NE-SW with straight vertical sides, square/rounded edges, and flat bases. 3 graves were aligned NW-SE.
195 individuals were recovered from the burials; however, preservation of human remains was poor, therefore age and sex were not able to be determined in many cases. Individuals appear to have been laid out in supine extended position, with one individual in a prone position, and six individuals with their heads at the NE end. Several other unusual burials at the site included two instances of multiple burial (one containing two individuals, and one containing three individuals), and two decapitation burials.

Of the 195 skeletons, 131 were adults, 45 were juveniles (aged under 18 years). Of the adult remains which could be analysed according to sex, 31 were possible/probable/definite males, 20 were possible/probable/definite females,and 21 were indeterminate sex. 46 individuals demonstrated evidence for skeletal pathology, comprising "spinal and extra-spinal osteoarthritis (as well as minor changes to the vertebrae and extra-spinal joints such as marginal osteophytes), Schmorl’s nodes, cribra orbitalia, ectocranial porosity/thickening, maxillary sinusitis, periostitis, osteitis/osteomyelitis, ante mortem fracture, possible ossified haematoma, button osteoma, osteochondritis dissecans, Os acromiale, possible Paget’s disease, and a possible ossified artery" (from the original report, 2). Dental caries and calculus was also identified in some of the burials. (3)

178 burials included evidence for a grave furniture, including elements such as evidence for a timber coffin, iron nails, coffin fittings, stone lining, and a cist burial with the lid formed of two complete tegulae roof tiles. 29 graves demonstrated evidence for artefacts related to dress, costume, and personal adornment. Dating evidence in the form of pottery and coins have suggested that the cemetery was established from the early 4th century, with its use continuing into the early 5th century.
At least 7 Roman coins were recovered from the fills of graves; these dated between the later 3rd century and the mid 4th century AD. The cremation burial comprised a "cinerary urn and two accompanying vessels, a dish and ampulla, was dated to the late fourth century" (from the original report, 2). Two sherds suggested to have originated from a Roman-Saxon import were recovered from two of the graves, and one grave contained two silver buckles paralleled by types from the Danube and Black Sea region of eastern Europe, dated sometime between the very late fourth century and early fifth century" (from the original report, 2).
Finds associated with the burials include iron nails (and hobnails), a bone pin, a possible copper alloy strap end, coins, an iron ring or loop, a bone comb, unknown copper alloy objects, worked stone, glass fragments, two copper alloy brooches, fragment of charred coffin wood, iron coffin fittings, a silver pin, three copper alloy bracelets, several copper alloy pins, a copper alloy ring, a blue glass bead, an iron coffin handle, two silver buckles, a bone needle, and two ceramic roof tiles. (2, 3)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd., 2021, 5-5a Rhodaus Town, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RJ: Post-excavation Assessment and Updated Project Design (Unpublished document). SKE55692.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd, 2017, Former Peugeot Garage, Rhodaus Town (A28), Canterbury, Kent CT1 2RH, Post-Excavation Assessment (Unpublished document). SKE52730.

<3> 2017, Former Peugeot Garage Rhodaus Town (A28) Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RH: Burial catalogue (Unpublished document). SKE55756.