Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A Romano-British lead coffin, reportedly found in 1838 opposite St. Mary's Church, Chatham. It was ornamented with cockle shells and a 'large cross' and a pottery vessel was found within it.

Summary from record TQ 76 NE 46:

Romano-British lead coffin found at St. Mary's Church, Chatham in c.1838. Present whereabouts and further details are uncertain.

Monument Types

• COFFIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds

• VESSEL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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In 1838 a brief account was given, (a), of the discovery some time previously of a Roman lead coffin 'at the distance of about 16' (from the surface ?), in the chalky cliff opposite St. Mary's Church, Chatham.' In it was a pottery vessel c. 7" high. Some other like discoveries are believed to have been madeat that time. (1) Found while labourers were digging a chalk pit, at a depth of c. 16'. The coffin had "a cross upon the side, and a number of figures indented, resembling large cockle shells" and the pot contained liquid. The whole was unfortunately broken. (2) Found a little to the south of the Roman house [TQ76NW16]. It was ornamented with cockle shells and a 'large cross' (probably the crossed billet moulding pattern). (3) Add. ref. (4) No information as to the exact provenance or present whereabouts of the lead coffin was gained during field work. (5)

Description from record TQ 76 NE 46:
"Roman lead coffin found "above" St. Mary's Church, Chatham, c.1838." (1)

<1> `Topography of Rochester' 1838 (Wright) (OS Card Reference). SKE32738.

<1> Arch. Cant. 39, 1927, 164 (J.W.Wheatley) (OS Card Reference). SKE37002.

<2> Arch Cant 17 1887 189 (AA Arnold) (OS Card Reference). SKE34755.

<3> `Descriptive Sketches of Rochester Chatham and their Vicinities' 1862 235 (J Phippen) (OS Card Reference). SKE32714.

<4> VCH Kent vol III 1932 116 154 (OS Card Reference). SKE51230.

<5> Arch Cant 68 1954 42 (JMC Toynbee) (OS Card Reference). SKE35435.

<6> F1 AC 26.10.51 (OS Card Reference). SKE41833.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 76 NW 14 - October, 1951 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4082.

Sources and further reading