Monument record TQ 76 NW 323 - Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Cuxton

Summary

Thirty-six Anglo-Saxon graves were excavated during work in advance of construction for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The burial population was made up of adults, children and probably infants. A rich assemblage of grave goods was recovered; jewelery (including two gold pendants), shield bosses, spearheads, knives, buckles, fittings, mounts, shears, chatelaines, keys, rings, glass bead necklaces, coins, pottery vessels and two purses were all found. Two pottery vessels containing cremations were also found and these were dated to between AD 550 and 650. Eleven graves were associated with penannular ditches, and one grave was surrounded by a posthole structure.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 7203 6748 (78m by 34m) (57 map features)
Map sheet TQ76NW
County KENT
Civil Parish CUXTON, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (4)

Full Description

Thirty-six Anglo-Saxon graves were excavated, the state of bone preservation varying from good to very poor. In addition to the inhumations, two pottery vessels containing cremations were found. The pottery vessels date some of the burials to between AD 550 and 650. Eleven graves were associated with penannular ditches, most ditches with a central post between the termini; one grave cut was surrounded by a posthole structure; some of the grave cuts had internal ledges, others were simply cut into the chalk.

The burial population comprised adults, juveniles and probably infants. Grave goods form a very important assemblage and include jewlery (including two gold pendants), shield bosses, spearheads, knives, buckles, fittings, mounts, shears, chatelaines, keys, rings, glass bead necklaces, coins, pottery vessels and two purses(1-8).

Additional bibliography. (9-10)

(See TQ 76 NW 322)

It is stated by a builder that during the construction of the M2 motorway bridge over the Medway some graves were found but destroyed without being recorded. If this is true, it suggests that the cemetery found during the CTRL works extended further to the east, under the motorway. (pers. comm.)


<1> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1999, Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Archaeological Excavation Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE7058.

<2> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1997, Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Burial Phase 3 An Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE7059.

<3> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1997, Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Burial Phase 3 An Archaeological Evaluation Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE7060.

<4> Museum of London Archaeology Service, 1997, Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Burial Phase 3 An Archaeological Evaluation Interim Report (Unpublished document). SKE7061.

<5> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Iron Age settlement and an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Cuxton, Kent. Volume 1: The Site Report CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE15805.

<6> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Iron Age settlement and an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Cuxton, Kent. Volume 2: The grave catalogue CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE15806.

<7> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2005, The Anglo-Saxon Pottery from Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Cuxton, Kent CTRL
The Anglo-Saxon Pottery from Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Cuxton, Kent CTRL
(Unpublished document). SKE15807.

<8> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Small Finds from Cuxton, Kent (ARC CXT98) CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE15810.

<9> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, Radiocarbon dates from Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE16490.

<10> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2006, The Later Prehistoric Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL (Unpublished document). SKE16486.

Sources/Archives (10)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Museum of London Archaeology Service. 1999. Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Archaeological Excavation Interim Report.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Museum of London Archaeology Service. 1997. Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Burial Phase 3 An Archaeological Evaluation.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Museum of London Archaeology Service. 1997. Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Burial Phase 3 An Archaeological Evaluation Interim Report.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Museum of London Archaeology Service. 1997. Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Burial Phase 3 An Archaeological Evaluation Interim Report.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2006. Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Iron Age settlement and an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Cuxton, Kent. Volume 1: The Site Report CTRL.
  • <6> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2006. Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Iron Age settlement and an Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Cuxton, Kent. Volume 2: The grave catalogue CTRL.
  • <7> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2005. The Anglo-Saxon Pottery from Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Cuxton, Kent CTRL The Anglo-Saxon Pottery from Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Cuxton, Kent CTRL.
  • <8> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2006. The Small Finds from Cuxton, Kent (ARC CXT98) CTRL.
  • <9> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2006. Radiocarbon dates from Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Kent.
  • <10> Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2006. The Later Prehistoric Pottery from Excavations Along Section 1 of the CTRL.

Finds (22)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

  • Intrusive Event: Cuxton Anglo-Saxon Cemetery (Ref: ARC CUX 97) (EKE5203)
  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at Cuxton Anglo Saxon Cemetery (Ref: ARC CXT 98) (EKE5202)

Record last edited

Aug 21 2024 3:09PM