Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Two Roman Ritual Shafts, one of which was probably originally a well, were found in a railway cutting on Bekesbourne Hill in 1858. At the bottom of one shaft was a mill stone held in place by six wooden pegs. Horses teeth and urns were also found.

Monument Types

• BURIAL (BURIAL, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• CREMATION (CREMATION, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• SHAFT (SHAFT, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds

• URN (Undated)
• ANIMAL REMAINS (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• MILLSTONE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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(TR 18785608) Roman Burials found (NAT) (1) A shaft, probably originally a well (it was very wet, either from a spring or drainage) later used as a burial place, was discovered in 1858, 13 ft below ground level during the digging of a railway cuttingon Bekesbourne Hill. It was 3.25 ft square by 12 ft deep, lined with heavy oak beams morticed together and with a cover of oak planks. At the bottom was a flat stone, said to be part of a Roman mill-stone, held in place over a cavity by six wooden pegs. (There is no mention of anything within the cavity). On top of the stone was a circle of horses' teeth and above these were five urns of Roman character with lattice-work decoration and containing matter which was probably calcined bones. Above the urns was a layer of flints, and above thesewas another urn protected by flints arched over it. There were also remains of a fibrous substance, perhaps matting or woollen material. A second shaft was later discovered nearby, but with no timbering. Itwas filled with flat-stones and contained two or three urns and what appeared to be an amphora, at a depth of 15 ft, although in this case the pots may have fallen in accidentally. Some of the pottery, part of the oak timber, and a model of the timber structure, are preserved in Canterbury Museum. For a similar site, see Frittenden (TQ 84 SW 3,a pit containing Upchurch urns). (2,3) Shafts of clear ritual imporatnce. (4) Additional references (5-6)

<1> OS 6" 1962 (OS Card Reference). SKE48371.

<2> Arch Cant 2 1859 43-48 Illus. (J Brent) (OS Card Reference). SKE34804.

<3> VCH Kent 3 1932 Romano-Brit Kent 145-6(Taylor,Jessup & Hawkes) (OS Card Reference). SKE51155.

<4> Studies in Anc.Europe.ed Coles & Simpson 1968 257 260 (A Ross) (OS Card Reference). SKE49697.

<5> BAR 24 Corpus/Rel.Mat.Civil.Areas of Ro Brit 1976 230 (M Green) (OS Card Reference). SKE37516.

<6> Arch of Kent 1930 252 (R F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE36904.

Sources and further reading