[TQ 9068 6192] In 1934 blasting operations revealed a series of Roman graves in the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers' chalk quarry at Highsted, near Sittingbourne. Workmen recovered fragmentary bones, some coarse red pottery and a small black beaker of late 3rd century -early 4th century. Six weeks later an undecorated lead coffin was uncovered (see Illustration Card) (1) No further discoveries have been made during quarrying. The coffin is in Maidstone Museum Store mutilated and incomplete. (2) [TQ 9069 6193] ROMAN BURIAL GROUND [R] (3) A flanged bowl of grey/brown ware from the late Roman cemetery at Highsted is now in the Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh: Reg. No. 1978.374. (4) A wide-mouthed bowl in smooth, hard, orange-coated ware, decorated with circular bosses, was part of a 4th century grave group which also included a small poppy-head beaker, a two-handled vase of unusual type, and a small jug of rough grey ware. Listed as Romano-Saxon. (5-6)

<1> Ant J 15 1935 208-13 figs (RF Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE33132.

<2> F1 ASP 29-JUL-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42345.

<3> OS 1:10000 1980 (OS Card Reference). SKE48166.

<4> Arch Cant 94 1978 267 (OS Card Reference). SKE36189.

<5> DA Brit 1955 (Ed DB Harden) Romano-Saxon Pottery 25 fig (JNL Myres) (OS Card Reference). SKE39567.

<6> BAR 106 1982 Romano-Saxon Pottery 35 36 fig (WI Roberts) (OS Card Reference). SKE37468.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 96 SW 62 - July, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4993.