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Monument record TR 15 SW 59 - Romano-British chalk quarry and burials, Chartham
Summary
Work prior to residential development uncovered evidence of a Romano-British chalk quarries, a cremation and a later inhumation burial. Large quantites of building debris was also found suggesting that there was a yet to be discovered Romano-British villa or farm nearby. The quarry appears to have been abandoned some time in the late 1st or early 2nd century. After the back filling of the quarry a single cremation burial was inserted within its upper fills. At some time on the 2nd century quarrying began again at the site and there is a deposit containing charcoal and fire fractured flint which could be workers fires. Between the late 3rd and 4th centuries the site was again abandoned allowing the formation of a humic topsoil. Towards the northern or entrance end of the quarry the old topsoil deposit became increasingly mixed with domestic waste and rubbish. This building debris may indicate the nearby presence of a fairly large masonary building, possibly a farmstead or villa. Within the south-eastern side of the quarry the final evidence of human activity consisted of a single inhumation burial of a young adult. Although there was no associated artifactural evidence, it is likely that it was late Roman in date.
Summary from record TR 15 SW 60:
Work prior to residential development uncovered evidence of Romano-British chalk quarries (TR 15 SW 59), a cremation and a later inhumation burial (TR 15 SW 61). The quarry appears to have been abandoned initially some time in the late 1st or early 2nd century. After the back filling of the quarry a single cremation burial was inserted within its upper fills. The cremation, within an urn, is believed to be female accompanied by two ancilliary vessels, a flagon and a bowl.
Summary from record TR 15 SW 61:
Work prior to residential development uncovered evidence of Romano-British chalk quarries (TR 15 SW 59), a cremation (TR 15 SW 60) and a later inhumation burial. The quarry appears to have been abandoned some time in the late 1st or early 2nd century. At some time on the 2nd century quarrying began again but between the late 3rd and 4th centuries the site was again abandoned. Within the south-eastern side of the quarry the final evidence of human activity consisted of a single inhumation burial of a young adult. Although there was no associated artifactural evidence, it is likely that it was late Roman in date. It is suggested that, although there is no evidence for cause of death, a single inhumation, outside of a cemetery, coupled with the apparently casual disposition, suggests a hurried burial and may be indicative of foul play.
Summary from record TR 15 SW 62:
Work prior to residential development uncovered evidence of Romano-British chalk quarries (TR 15 SW 59), a cremation (TR 15 SW 60) and a later inhumation burial (TR 15 SW 61). Towards the northern or entrance end of the quarry the old topsoil deposit became increasingly mixed with domestic waste and rubbish. This building debris may indicate the nearby presence of a fairly large masonary building, possibly a farmstead or villa. The material contained pottery, coins, metalwork, quernstones, tile, animal bone and small finds. The debris appears to derive from structural alterations, perhaps the demolition or removal of a heating system, with re-use of the more complete tiles. The smaller pieces, which were mostly flue tiles, were discarded and ended up in the quarry.
Location
Grid reference | TR 110 542 (point) Estimated from sources |
---|---|
Map sheet | TR15SW |
County | KENT |
District | CANTERBURY, KENT |
Civil Parish | CHARTHAM, CANTERBURY, KENT |
Map
Type and Period (5)
Full Description
<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, Evaluations & Excavations at St. Augustine's Hospital, Chartham, Kent 1996-97: Archive Report (Unpublished document). SKE8262.
Sources/Archives (1)
- <1> SKE8262 Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1997. Evaluations & Excavations at St. Augustine's Hospital, Chartham, Kent 1996-97: Archive Report.
Finds (8)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (2)
- Intrusive Event: Evaluation at the Site of St. Augustine's Hospital, Chartham (Ref: 639) (EKE6001)
- Intrusive Event: Excavation at the Site of St. Augustine's Hospital, Chartham (EKE6002)
Record last edited
May 17 2012 10:20AM