Monument record TQ 76 SW 22 - Site of Neolithic chambered tomb, Blue Bell Hill, Burham

Summary

Groups of sarsen stones lie in several places on the lower slopes of Blue Bell Hill, spreading across to Westfield Wood. Previously thought to be the remains of avenues and circles, they have no known prehistoric associations. They may be in their natural geological positions and, if in groups, could be the results of farmers clearing fields. In the nineteenth century Thomas Wright thought several of the scattered stones were coverings or entrances to burial chambers. In 1844 excavations around some of the stones showed that one was laid across the mouth of a round pit cut in the chalk and filled with flints. According to local residents at the time, pits filled with flints were common in the area. The flints were often used as road metal when a new road was made. The Blue Bell Hill Dolmen is shown on a sketch in Maidstone Museum with the following measurements. North stone 7ft x 1ft 1in x 4ft 9ins (2.25m x .32m x 1.45m) South stone 7ft x 2ft 3ins x 5ft 9ins (2.13m x .68m x 1.74m) West stone 3ft x 4ft x 1ft 6ins ( 0.91m x 1.22m x .45m) Centre stone 1ft x 2ft (.30m x .61m) A skeleton of a man and fragments of red pottery were reportedly found but no records were kept.

Location

Grid reference TQ 74 61 (point) LO
Map sheet TQ76SW
County KENT
District TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT
Civil Parish BURHAM, TONBRIDGE AND MALLING, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

<1> Woolwich Dist Ant Soc An Rep Vol 13 1907 p.84 (F C Elliston Erwood) (OS Card Reference). SKE51401.

<2> Rochester Naturalist Vol 6 1928 p.73-90 (Site plan) (OS Card Reference). SKE49315.

<3> F1 CFW 30-JUN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42836.

<4> Arch Cant 97 1981 234 (R Holgate) (OS Card Reference). SKE36282.

<5> Arch Cant 63 1950 68-9 (J H Evans) (OS Card Reference). SKE35363.

<6> S E England 1970 102 (R Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE49355.

<7> VCH 1 1908 319 (OS Card Reference). SKE50790.

<8> Arch J 1 1844 264 (T Wright) (OS Card Reference). SKE36517.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 76 SW 22 - June, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4180.

Sources/Archives (9)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: Woolwich Dist Ant Soc An Rep Vol 13 1907 p.84 (F C Elliston Erwood).
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Rochester Naturalist Vol 6 1928 p.73-90 (Site plan).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 30-JUN-59.
  • <4> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 97 1981 234 (R Holgate).
  • <5>XY OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 63 1950 68-9 (J H Evans). [Mapped feature: #24310 tomb, ]
  • <6> OS Card Reference: S E England 1970 102 (R Jessup).
  • <7> OS Card Reference: VCH 1 1908 319.
  • <8> OS Card Reference: Arch J 1 1844 264 (T Wright).
  • <9> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 76 SW 22 - June, 1959.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Aug 3 2021 2:56PM