During evaluation work on the old Beadles Motor site, connected with the new Sainsbury's Store at the Priory Centre, Truncated Roman period topsoil was found containing features including two cremation burials, both broken in antiquity.

The two cremation burials were found close to each other each within a small pit. The first contained a grey brown silty clay with occasional charcoal flecks, and the fragmented remains of at least three vessels. The vessels were substantially complete and comprise a central Gaulish Samian ware dish, a single-handled ring neck flagon and sandy ware sherds of the third vessels. (All date to the late 1st-early 2nd century). The second burial , to the south-east, contained a large cremation urn, a complete narrow necked reduced sandyware jar probably made in Thameside Kent, and cremated bone.(1)

In 1999 further work took place. During another evaluation and a watching brief a possible gully was found along with another cremation burial or alternatively a funeral pyre. A quantity of Roman pottery was found along with a Dupondis of Antoninus Pius from AD 139. It is not thought that this coin was connceted directly with the burials, but indicates further activity in the area.(2). Now site of Sainsbury's built over (3)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1998, Beadles Car Showrooms, Spital Street, Dartford: An archeaological evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE11953.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1999, Sainsbury's development, Dartford (Unpublished document). SKE11954.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report (Unpublished document). SWX12323.