Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Roman stone coffin containing human skeleton (plus possible second)

Monument Types

• COFFIN (COFFIN, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• HUMAN REMAINS (HUMAN REMAINS, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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[TQ 7075 6200] Stone coffin found AD 1933 [NAT] (1) A stone sarcophagus containing a complete human skeleton was discovered while workmen were digging foundations for an extension of the works of the Lead Wool Co at Snodland. The sarcophagus, of Lower Oolite Limestone, was rectangular in shape, 7 feet long, 2.5 feet broad and 4 inches thick. The head was to the N. The site of the burial is in a part of the Church Field, where a villa (TQ 76 SW 23) and other Roman remains have been found (TQ 76 SW 28). No associated remains were found with the coffin, but the probability is that it belongs to the Roman period. [Included is a description of the bones by Sir Arthur Keith and St Gordon Ward]. (2) Brief report suggesting that there was possibly a second coffin found.(3) This coffin was found at a depth of 5 feet whilst excavating foundations for the installation of a press. Its present whereabouts are not known. A few years prior to this discovery, during a similar excavation a few yards to the NW a stone slab was uncovered. It was not investigated but left in situ and concreted in as part of the machine foundation. (4) Massive stone coffin of inferior oolite. Absence of pillow and N-S orientation are against a medieval date. Skeleton in Royal College of Surgeons Museum. Classified as Roman. (5) The present wherabouts of the stone coffin were not ascertained during fieldwork. It is not in Maidstone Museum. (6)

Additional Info(10).

<1> OS 25" 1939 (OS Card Reference). SKE48267.

<2> Arch Cant Vol 46 1934 p.202-3 (OS Card Reference). SKE36402.

<3> JRS Vol 24 1934 p.217 (OS Card Reference). SKE45142.

<4> Information W Stotesbury Esq General Manager Lead Wool Co Snodland (OS Card Reference). SKE44478.

<5> F1 CFW 30-JUN-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42836.

<6> Maidstone Museum Arch Gazetteer (in progress) (OS Card Reference). SKE46415.

<7> F2 CFW 01-SEP-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE43194.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 76 SW 24 - June, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4182.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 76 SW 24 - September, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4183.

<10> Lawson-Price Environmental, 1996, Specification for Archaeological & Historical Landscape Baseline Studies: Holborough (Unpublished document). SKE7127.

Sources and further reading