Watching brief and excavation of parts of an early 19th century cemetery during groundworks associated with the development of the Sensory Gardens site, Gravesend. Undertaken by Archaeology South East between 20th October 2010 and 22th February 2011.
Overlying and intruding into the subsoil deposit was a disturbed general cemetery soil deposit of up to 2.50m thickness, containing the burials. A brick tomb and burial marker were also identified, along with a find of cannon balls next to a burial, possibly the individual having been prepared for burial at sea. A total of 91 articulated burials were identified, dominated by males (over two thirds of the individuals), the rest being women, children and infants. This may relect the population of the port of Gravesend during the first half of the 19th century, which would have attracted a large number of male workers. The graves themselves were organised in rows with fairly regular spacing, with stacks of up to five individuals, and the majority interred in coffins. Burials were in two different alignments; east-west and north-west-south-east.The status of the individuals cannot be accurately ascertained, though it would appear that a range of statuses are represented. Both the large brick vault and one individual with dentures, representing expensive dental work, seem to suggest the presence of higher status individuals; however, the general musculature of other individuals suggests a high degree of manual labour, indicating people of lower status. The cemetery is likely to have been opened as a response to increasing population and traffic through Gravesend port in the later 18th century. Later, the cemetery may have closed in response to the increasing health concerns associated with overcrowded urban cemeteries.
Also observed was overlying cemetery soil with finds of clay tobacco pipe, a medieval metal decorative mount, and disarticulated bone; a probable sealing deposit with 19th century finds of ceramic building material and pottery; the cemetery wall, 45m in length with bricks dating between 1770 and 1940, though mainly the former.
During the late 19th, early 20th century the site was used as a garden, which can be seen on 1902 Ordinance Survey map. Features observed were a crushed chalk path, and cuts for the base of a possible water feature or lamp. (1)

<1> Archaeology South-East, 2011, An Archaeological Watching Brief and Excavation at the Sensory Gardens Site, Transport Quarter, Gravesend, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE29282.