An early-medieval burial ground was once located in Chatham. A group of small Barrows was situated on the western slope of the steep hill facing Rochester. The barrows were first disturbed in 1756, when Chatham lines were first thrown up and were excavated from 1779 onwards. The 'Tumuli' as they were described at the time, contained inhumations with the head facing north and a arich assemblage of grave goods. Finds included swords, shield umbos, spearheads, square-headed and saucer brooches, pendants, buckles, beads, pottery, glassware and a few Roman coins. Cemetery likely dates to the Late 5th or early 6th century The site lies "on the western slope slope of the steep hill, which faces the town of Rochester, and which decends to the barrack gate"…. Underlying geology is Chalk. OD 55-60m.