[Name at TQ 8228 6750] ROMAN CEMETERY [R] (Site of) [NAT] (1) A Romano-British cemetery has lately been discovered at the head of Otterham Creek, a few hundred yards to the east of Lower Rainham, whilst digging for brick earth. Practically all the interments were by cremation and the numerous urns were found in a strip of ground, c.30 rods long and c. 10-12 rods wide, lying between the road and the marsh. The only grave goods were several bronze fibulae, hair-pins and beads, all of which seem to have undergone the action of fire. Besides the cinerary vessels many bushels of sherds have been collected: they appear to be the refuse of dwellings and seemed to have been thrown into a ditch which runs the length of the fields. Some are from pots in imitation of Samian paterae, with unsuccessful attempts at makers' stamps. A perforated squared stone (? steelyard weight) and some baked clay weights were also found. Further eastwards, some years ago, gravel diggers found similar remains. [Probably TQ 86 NW 24] (2) Additional reference. (3) A number of objects from this Romano-British burial ground, including urns ("Upchurch" ware), Samian paterae, bronze fibulae and beads, were seen in Rochester and Gillingham Museums. (4) A watching brief carried out to the east of the site in 1997 did not observe any related evidence, however the event and archive has been attached to this monument for convenience. Additional reference (5-6) and site photographs (7,8).

<1> OS 6" 1931-8 (OS Card Reference). SKE48330.

<2> Coll Ant 6 1868 197-8 (C Roach-Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE39108.

<3> VCH Kent 3 1932 164 (OS Card Reference). SKE51088.

<4> F1 AC 06-NOV-51 (OS Card Reference). SKE41769.

<5> Field report for monument TQ 86 NW 7 - November, 1951 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4563.

<6> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1997, An Archaeological Watching Brief at Motney Hill, Rainham (Unpublished document). SWX6710.

<7> 1994, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX11223.

<8> 1994, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX11224.