Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

In 1863-4 an area to the east of Sarre was excavated after a number of discoveries including two Anglo-Saxon graves and a rich assemblage of grave goods. Finds included metallic artefacts such as bronze bowls, brooches, beads, a pendant of mosaic glass and 4 gold pendant coins, iron 'weapons', the metal clasp of a large purse, a knife and several pieces of iron. The coins dated to the late 6th and early 7th centuries.

Over the course of the two years of excavation at the site a total of 274 graves were recorded, indicating an large Anglo Saxon inhumation cemetery. The majority of these burials showed evidence of grave goods, and 7 burials were very richly adorned. There were a large number of weapons found including 26 swords. A particularly rare 6th century sword-pommel was inscribed with a runic inscription. It is now in the Maidstone Museum whilst the other finds have been distributed to Kent and national museums. Analysis of the grave goods suggested that the cemetery was in use during the late fifth to late seventh centuries AD.

Subsequent work at the site in 1982 and 1990/1991 revealed an associated ditch and a further number of graves. It became apparent that the site was far bigger than originally thought and that burials that had been missed were in danger. It is thought that remains will survive in the area despite the fact that modern ploughing and the laying of a pipeline has caused some disturbance. Also included in the scheduled area are part of an Iron Age settlement, the remains of the church of St. Giles, a post medieval chalk pit and a post mill, some of which survive as cropmarks and earthworks.

The site is situated on the top and gentlesouth-south-west facing slopeof a low ridge, underlying geology is chalk. OD between 15-18m.

Monument Types

• DITCH (Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
• DITCH (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• INHUMATION CEMETERY (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• INSCRIBED STONE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)

Associated Finds

• BEAD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• BOWL (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• BROOCH (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• COIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• KNIFE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• NECKLACE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• PENDANT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)
• PIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 467 AD to 699 AD)

Full description

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[Name TR 260650] Anglo-Saxon Burial Ground [NR] (1)

Anglo-Saxon discoveries at Sarre led to an excavation by John Brent. Jnr., in 1863-4, when an inhumation cemetery of 272 graves, showing evidence for a period from an early date until after A.D. 600, was uncovered. (1-7)

A selection of objects from this cemetery is on exhibition in Maidstone Museum. The site is occupied by an old chalk-pit. (10)

A 6th century sword-pommel from the A.S. cemetery at Sarre is inscribed with a runic inscription. It is now in the Maidstone Museum. This is a very rare find particularly from the southern A.S. kingdoms in the pagan period. (11)

TR 261650 Sarre inhumation cemetery. The first discovery was in 1843 when a grave was accidentally uncovered at Sarre, containing a bronze bowl with vandyked rim and a gold and garnet brooch with star design. In 1860, 6 feet below the surface workmen found another gold and garnet brooch, another bronze bowl similar to the first, a metal pin, an amethyst bead, a necklace of beads and amber and coloured clay, a pendant of mosaic glass and 4 gold pendant coins, iron 'weapons', the metal clasp of a large purse, a knife and several pieces of iron. These were in a grave with a skeleton lying head north west. In the bowl there were bones. The coins were of the eastern emperors, Mauricius and Heraclius (A.D. 582-602; 610-41) and Chlotair II of France (613-28). Another grave was found nearby, but it contained only a few bones.

In 1863 183 graves were dug by Brent (3,4,5,6,7,8).The graves were found by means of a probe. Circular holes were also found, perhaps connected with Roman burials, broken pieces of Roman pot, burnt wood and charred bones of sheep, swine and other animals. Of the 144 graves analysised, 109 were furnished, 5 richly, 4 with only a knife. In 1864 a further 89 graves were opened by Brent. Of 68, 58 were furnished, 2 richly, 5 with a knife only. The graves were nearly all orientated with heads west with a few possible early exceptions. The coins (19,20) found suggest that the cemetery was used over a long period of time. One grave was found containing craftsman's tools - a small plane of horn, (27,28) a bronze balance and scale pans and 19 weights (29).

There were a large number of weapons found including 26 swords. 274 graves were recorded but this does not represent the total number of graves. A chalk pit adjoined the site. Other remains were found in the opposite direction down to the Margate Road and even to another chalk pit beyond it. The finds are distributed between the following museums: Maidstone Museum;Cambridge University; Oxford Ashmolean Museum; British Museum; Rochester Museum; Canterbury Museum; British Museum (Natural History, RCS Collection. (12)

Various finds from Sarre cemetery. (13-29)

Five transect trenches were cut in August 1990 to test if the burial ground was more extensive than previously thought, that the 1860' probing for burials was unreliable and that burials were in danger from plough damage. The results were considered to have proven that the site was bigger than thought, burials had been missed and that they were in danger.(49)

The monument includes an early medieval inhumation cemetery, part of an earlier iron age settlement and a later disused medieval parish church and a postmill situated on a low chalk ridge just east of the village of Sarre. The features survive as crop marks on aerial photographs. Investigations carried out during 1863-64 identified 274 east-west aligned graves, although it has since been estimated that the cemetery contains up to 400 burials, extending over the monument. Around 184 burials were fully investigated, and many of these were found to have been accompanied by a particularly rich assemblage of grave goods, or artefacts deliberately buried with the bodies. The grave goods included bronze bowls, jewellery, coins, iron weapons and glassware, some originating in continental Europe. Analysis of these items suggests that the cemetery was in use during the late fifth to late seventh centuries AD. Subsequent small-scale investigations in 1982 and 1991 revealed, along with further graves, a contemporary, shallow, east-west aligned ditch running along the southern edge of the monument, just to the north of the modern A253. The modern road follows the course of Dunstrete, an important ancient routeway across Thanet. The ditch has been interpreted as the southern boundary of the cemetery. Traces of a sunken-floored building discovered in the south eastern corner of the monument may provide evidence for an associated settlement.

A now disused post-medieval chalk pit has destroyed part of the southern sector of the cemetery, and some of the westernmost graves in the Sarre Windmill area have been heavily disturbed by 19th and 20th century development. These areas are therefore not included in the scheduling. The laying of a modern sewage pipeline along the southern edge of the monument in 1991 will have partly disturbed the archaeological remains.

The earlier iron age settlement, which partly underlies the early medieval cemetery and the later medieval features, is represented by below ground traces of pits and enclosure ditches revealed during the 20th century investigations. A complex group of roughly rectangular enclosure ditches visible as crop marks on aerial photographs in the north eastern part of the monument may also date to this period. The settlement, which extends beyond the monument along the ridge to the east, has been dated by the analysis of pottery sherds found in the pit fills to the late iron age (around 300 –150 BC).

Situated in the north eastern part of the monument, the medieval parish church and its surrounding graveyards partly overlie the earlier cemetery and iron age settlement. The 1982 investigations revealed the flint footings of part of a north east-south west aligned, rectangular medieval building, possibly a chantry chapel attached to the northern side of the chancel, or an associated secular building. Historical records suggest that the church, dedicated to St. Giles, was in existence by the 11th century. During the medieval period Sarre was a member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, and in the late 11th century the manor belonged to the important Norman family of Crevequer. As a result of the Black Death and the gradual silting up of the Wantsum Channel during the 14th century, the village became depopulated. By the early 16th century the church was becoming derelict and the parish was eventually amalgamated with nearby St Nicolas-at-Wade. All above ground traces of the church had disappeared by the early 18th century. The southern part of the churchyard may have been destroyed by the excavation of the post-medieval chalk pit.

Further, associated below ground remains will survive in the areas between and around the known archaeological features. Modern ploughing has caused some disturbance to the monument.(50)

Visible on aerial photos of 1990.

From the National Heritage List for England:

Details
The monument includes an Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery, part of an earlier Iron Age settlement and a later, disused medieval parish church and postmill situated on a low chalk ridge just to the east of the village of Sarre, on the Isle of Thanet. These features survive in the form of below ground archaeological remains, some visible as crop marks on aerial photographs. Until around the 14th century, Sarre lay on the eastern shore of the Wantsum Channel, a now silted-up estuarine waterway which separated Thanet from the Kent mainland. This was an important crossing and control point, one of only two places where the Wantsum was fordable.

Investigations carried out during 1863-64 identified 274 east-west aligned Anglo-Saxon graves, although it has since been estimated that the cemetery contains up to 400 burials, extending over the monument. Around 184 burials were fully investigated, and many of these were found to have been accompanied by a particularly rich assemblage of grave goods, or artefacts deliberately buried with the bodies. The grave goods included bronze bowls, jewellery, coins, iron weapons and glassware, some originating in continental Europe. Analysis of these items suggests that the cemetery was in use during the late fifth to late seventh centuries AD. Subsequent small-scale investigations in 1982 and 1991 revealed, along with further Anglo-Saxon graves, a contemporary, shallow, east-west aligned ditch running along the southern edge of the monument, just to the north of the modern A253 road. The modern road follows the course of Dunstrete, an important ancient routeway across Thanet. The ditch has been interpreted as the southern boundary of the cemetery. Traces of an Anglo-Saxon sunken-floored building discovered in the south eastern corner of the monument may provide evidence for an associated settlement.

A now disused post-medieval chalk pit has destroyed part of the southern sector of the cemetery, and some of the westernmost graves in the Sarre Windmill area have been heavily disturbed by 19th and 20th century development. These areas are therefore not included in the scheduling. The laying of a modern sewage pipeline along the southern edge of the monument in 1991 will have partly disturbed the archaeological remains.

The earlier Iron Age settlement, which partly underlies the Anglo-Saxon cemetery and the later medieval features, is represented by below ground traces of pits and enclosure ditches revealed during the 20th century investigations. A complex group of roughly rectangular enclosure ditches visible as crop marks on aerial photographs in the north eastern part of the monument may also date to this period. The settlement, which extends beyond the monument along the ridge to the east, has been dated by the analysis of pottery sherds found in the pit fills to the Late Iron Age (around 300-150 BC).

Situated in the north eastern part of the monument, the medieval parish church and its surrounding graveyard partly overlie the earlier Anglo-Saxon cemetery and Iron Age settlement. The 1982 investigations revealed the flint footings of part of a north east-south west aligned, rectangular medieval building, possibly a chantry chapel attached to the northern side of the chancel, or an associated secular building. Historical records suggest that the church, dedicated to St Giles, was in existence by the 11th century. During the medieval period Sarre was a member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, and in the late 11th century the manor belonged to the important Norman family of Crevequer. As a result of the Black Death and the gradual silting up of the Wantsum Channel during the 14th century, the village became depopulated. By the early 16th century the church was becoming derelict and the parish was eventually amalgamated with nearby St Nicholas-at-Wade. All above ground traces of the church had disappeared by the early 18th century. The southern part of the churchyard may have been destroyed by the excavation of the post-medieval chalk pit.

Lying around 180m west of the church, the medieval postmill is represented by a small, roughly circular ditch enclosing a central cross-tree trench. Analysis of pottery fragments found in the ditch suggest that the postmill was in use during the 13th-14th centuries.

Further, associated below ground remains will survive in the areas between and around the known archaeological features. Modern ploughing has caused some disturbance to the monument.

The modern building adjacent to Sarre Mill, all fences, telegraph poles and the surface of the Sarre Mill access track and car park are all excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.

Reasons for Designation
Beginning in the fifth century AD, there is evidence from distinctive burials and cemeteries, new settlements, and new forms of pottery and metalwork, of the immigration into Britain of settlers from northern Europe, bringing with them new religious beliefs. The Roman towns appear to have gone into rapid decline and the old rural settlement pattern to have been disrupted. Although some Roman settlements and cemeteries continued in use, the native Britons rapidly adopted many of the cultural practices of the new settlers and it soon becomes difficult to distinguish them in the archaeological record. So-called Anglo-Saxon cemeteries are dated to the early Anglo-Saxon period, from the fifth to the seventh centuries AD. With the conversion to Christianity during the late sixth and seventh centuries AD, these pagan cemeteries appear to have been abandoned in favour of new sites, some of which have continued in use up to the present day. Burial practices included both inhumation and cremation. Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemeteries consist predominantly of inhumation burials which were placed in rectangular pits in the ground, occasionally within coffins. The bodies were normally accompanied by a range of grave goods, including jewellery and weaponry. The cemeteries vary in size, the largest containing several hundred burials. Around 1000 inhumation cemeteries have been recorded in England. They represent one of our principal sources of archaeological evidence about the Early Anglo-Saxon period, providing information on population, social structure and ideology. All surviving examples, other than those which have been heavily disturbed, are considered worthy of protection.

The Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery at Sarre survives well, despite some subsequent disturbance, in close association with earlier prehistoric and later medieval features. Part excavation has shown that it contains important archaeological and environmental evidence relating to the original use of the monument. The Sarre cemetery belongs to a group of similar, broadly contemporary Anglo-Saxon cemeteries which cluster in eastern Kent, distinguished by their rich grave goods with continental, Jutish associations. This clustering illustrates the dense Early Anglo-Saxon settlement of the area. The close association of the pagan cemetery with the medieval parish church of St Giles will provide evidence for the as yet little understood relationship between early and later medieval settlement and burial practices.

Arch. Rems. at Jutish burial Ground, Sarre 1990 (Tust for Thanet ASrch.) (OS Card Reference). SKE37171.

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> VCH Kent 1 1908 358-60 illust (R A Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE50848.

<3> Arch Cant 2 1859 xlii (OS Card Reference). SKE34814.

<4> Arch Cant 3 1860 35-46 (C R Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE34980.

<5> Arch Cant 5 1863 305-22 illus (J Brent) (OS Card Reference). SKE35249.

<6> Arch Cant 6 1866 157-85 illus (J Brent) (OS Card Reference). SKE35310.

<7> Arch Cant 7 1868 307-21 illus (J Brent) (OS Card Reference). SKE35460.

<8> Arch Cant 8 1872 171 (D H Haigh) (OS Card Reference). SKE35680.

<9> Arch Cant 731959 196-7 (G C Dunning) and 198-201 (W L Goodman) (OS Card Reference). SKE35552.

<10> F1 CFW 20-SEP-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42675.

<11> Ant J 47 1967 1-26 fig pl II (S C Hawkes and R I Page) (OS Card Reference). SKE33201.

<12> Gaz of Early Anglo Saxon Burial Site 1964 135-6 (A Meaney) (OS Card Reference). SKE43494.

<13> Dark Age Britain 1956 159 161 164 163 165 fig 25 pls XVIj XVIb XVIIn (D B Harden ed) (OS Card Reference). SKE39587.

<14> Md Arch 22 1978 23 4 22 fig 1 (D B Harden) (OS Card Reference). SKE46613.

<15> Archaeologia 107 1982 47 63 pls IX XIII (R Avent and V I Evison) (OS Card Reference). SKE37301.

<16> Wheel Thrown Pottery from Anglo Saxon Graves 1979 66-70 73-74 76-77 93-94 illus (V I Evison) (OS Card Reference). SKE51318.

<17> Corpus of Anglo Saxon Pottery of the Pagan Period I 1977 92 203 302 II 1977 fig 140 and 279 illus (J (OS Card Reference). SKE39240.

<18> Anglo Saxon Pottery and the Settlement of England 1969 fig 19 fig 40 (J N L Myres) (OS Card Reference). SKE33081.

<19> BAR 128 Sceattas in England and on the Continent 1984 261 (Hill and Metcalf) (OS Card Reference). SKE37498.

<20> Num Chron T 1861 58-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE47737.

<21> Arch Cant 71 1957 231 illus (D M Wilson) (OS Card Reference). SKE35493.

<22> BM Gude to Anglo Saxon Antiquities 1923 fig 60 (OS Card Reference). SKE38193.

<23> Antiquity 8 1933 440 pl IV 4 (T D Kendrick) (OS Card Reference). SKE33298.

<24> Md Arch 21 1977 16-19 21-22 25-27 35 40 (R Avent and D Leigh) (OS Card Reference). SKE46600.

<25> Arch Cant 91 1975 165-168 illus (V I Evison) (OS Card Reference). SKE36028.

<26> Archaeologia 107 1982 47 63 pl IX XIII (R Avent and V I Evison) (OS Card Reference). SKE37300.

<27> Arch Cant 73 1959 196-197 (G C Dunning) (OS Card Reference). SKE35530.

<28> Arch Cant 73 1959 198-201 illus (W L Goodman) (OS Card Reference). SKE35531.

<29> Antiq J 3 1923 123 (R A Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE33249.

<30> Kent AS Newsletter 1984 4 3 (OS Card Reference). SKE45906.

<30> Trust For Thanet Archaeology, 1990, An Evaluation Report by The Trust for Thanet Archaeology: Archaeological Remains in the Jutish Burial Ground at Sarre, Thanet (Unpublished document). SWX7113.

<31> Ant J 47 1967 1-2 56 19 fig 1 pl II (S ChadwickHawkes and R T Page) (OS Card Reference). SKE33199.

<32> Arch of Anglo Saxon England 1976 115 256-7 267 fig 6-1 and 6-4 (D M Wilson) (OS Card Reference). SKE36812.

<33> Arch Cant 3 1860 35 illus (C R Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE34979.

<34> Arch Cant 3 1860 178 (OS Card Reference). SKE34977.

<35> Gents Mag Library Arch 2 1886 178 f (J Brent) (OS Card Reference). SKE43598.

<36> Arch of Kent 1930 228-232 235-236 261 illus (R F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE36896.

<37> BAR 82 Anglo Saxon Cemeteries 1980 86-88 90 94-95 110 (Rahtz Dickinson and Watts) (OS Card Reference). SKE37570.

<38> The Arts in Early England 4 Saxon Art and Industry in the Pagan Period 415 701-705 pl XCVII fig 2 (OS Card Reference). SKE50105.

<39> Arch 41 1867 416-418 (J Brent) (OS Card Reference). SKE34407.

<40> Collectanea Antiqua 6 1868 145 ff (OS Card Reference). SKE39197.

<41> TBAA Glos 1848 87-88 (OS Card Reference). SKE49819.

<42> Thanet The Arch Heritage c 1982 9 (Thanet Dist Council and Isle of Thanet Arch Unit) (OS Card Reference). SKE49882.

<43> Md Arch 5 1961 55 fig 18 (S C Hawkes and G D Dunning) (OS Card Reference). SKE46642.

<44> Arch Cant 19 1892 31 no 485 illus (OS Card Reference). SKE34789.

<45> Oxomensia 14 1949 34 (J R Kirk) (OS Card Reference). SKE48439.

<46> Arch Cant 92 225-227 (R Avent) (OS Card Reference). SKE36110.

<47> Isle of Thanet Arch Unit Sites and Mons Archive 1988 Record no 139 (OS Card Reference). SKE44694.

<48> Field report for monument TR 26 NE 11 - September, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5810.

<49> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, Thanet Sites and Monuments Record (Index). SKE6444.

<50> English Heritage Scheduling Section, 1999, Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Parish Church of St. Giles and Associated Remains Immediately East of Sarre Mill (Scheduling record). SKE11850.

Sources and further reading

Related records

Related thematic articles

• Anglo-Saxon Kent (Period Overview)