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Monument details

HER Number:TR 36 NE 26
Type of record:Monument
Name:Early medieval cemetery and associated finds, Ozengall, Ramsgate and Manston

Summary

An early medieval cemetery, probable 6th century in date was uncovered at Ozengall, about two miles from Ramsgate during the construction of the Ramsgate-Deal Railway in 1845. A number of graves were found cut into the chalk and a further number, possibly as many as 100 were said to have been destroyed before the area was investigated. A wide array of grave goods was reported including a number of metal artefacts such as clench bolts (possibly indicating a coffin), keys, spearheads, coins and sceattas, some samian wares, and brooches dating to the 5th century. A Roman lead coffin and another Roman grave were reported in the area in subsequent years.

Further excavations took place at the site in 1977-1981.

Cropmarks of over 100 probable graves, aligned east - west and including a small penannular ditch with a central grave had been recorded in 1974. A total of 192 graves were recorded during these excavations. Whilst many appeared to have been robbed in antiquity the grave goods found indicated a date from the 5th to the 7th cenury. There was also evidence of internal structures and wickerwork fences within some of the graves. Many of the finds from this site are thought to be in the British Museum and with the Thanet Archaeological Unit.

It is important to note that the precise location of the original discovery at Ozengell cemetery is uncertain. This is due to a discrepancy between the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map (c.1891-1898), the first record of the cemetery, and the parish history published 50 years after the first excavations.

The site


Grid Reference:TR 3582 6530
Map Sheet:TR36NE
Parish:RAMSGATE, THANET, KENT

Monument Types

  • COFFIN (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • INHUMATION (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
  • CEMETERY (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 450 AD? to 699 AD?)

Associated Finds

  • BOLT (FASTENING) (Roman to Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 43 AD? to 1065 AD?)
  • COFFIN (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)
  • BROOCH (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD? to 499 AD?)
  • BUCKLE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • COIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • HUMAN REMAINS (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD? to 1065 AD?)
  • KEY (LOCKING) (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD? to 1065 AD?)
  • SEAX (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • SPEAR (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • COIN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 527 AD? to 565 AD?)
Protected Status:Scheduled Monument 250

Full description

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[TR 36156547] Early medieval Burial Ground (NR) Roman Remains found (NAT) (1)

A cemetery, probably 6th c. was uncovered at Ozengall, about two miles from Ramsgate, when the Ramsgate-Deal Railway was being built in 1845. Numerous early medieval and Roman finds were made in the years following, including a Roman lead coffin burial and another Roman grave. Many of the finds are in the Mayer collection in Liverpool Museum. (2,3)

[For probable source of Roman finds see TR 36 NE 27]. Cotton says the cemetery was found 'close to where the spoil from the railway cutting ended' an area 'covered with hillocks' within living memory, but the 2nd ed. 6" shows the site in the centre of the mound: see illustration card. (4,5)

The site falls in a railway siding attached to a large vehicle depot. No further finds have been reported. (6)

TR 361654. Osengal (Ozmgell) Ramsgate. From 1845-50 an early medieval cemetery was disturbed during the cutting of the railway between Ramsgate and Deal. c100 graves were said to have been destroyed before the area was investigated. The graves were cut neatly in the chalk and filled first with earth and afterwards with the disturbed chalk. Often a thin slab of laminated sandstone covered the body. At least one grave probably held a coffin, as clench bolts were found. One grave had a beaker near the head; and others were reported to contain Samian ware in a similar position. 13 graves were investigated by Rolfe, FDC.R. Smith and Wright. Two graves held three bodies, however the others were individual and represented male and female. One grave produced a coin of Justianian dating to 527-65 and another produced 2 brooches of the 5th century. Silver sceattas, keys, buckles, scramasax, spearheads etc were also found. (7-10)

TR 357654 Ozengell. Cropmarks of over 100 probable graves, aligned east and west and including a small penannular ditch with a central grave were recorded by J Bradshaw in the dry summer of 1974. On the opposite side of the road was a smaller group associated with the ditch of an earlier barrow. In the autumn two were opened and evidence of early Anglo-Saxon inhumations with grave goods found. They are to be placed on loan in the Powell-Cotton Museum of Quex Park, Birchington. (11)

TR 357654. Excavation of the Anglo Saxon cemetery took place from 1977 to 1981, revealing a total of 192 graves. A large proportion had been robbed in antiquity and quite a number had structural features of various types including ledges, sockets, slots, circular ditches and two cases of four post-holes arranged about the grave. The fills of the ditches around the graves 161 and 192 suggested that wickerwork ?fences had been placed in them. Many of the grave goods were of the 7th century date, however, a number of earlier graves were found in two clusters with grave goods dating from the late 5th century to the 6th century. (12,13)

TR 361654, Osengall early medieval cemetery excavated 1845-50 and 1977- 1981. Finds in British Museum and with the Thanet Archaeological Unit. (14)

Finds from the cemetery. (15-24)

Additional bibliography. (25-27)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (28-36)

The accuracy of the published sighting of Ozengell cemetery is open to question. Its first appearance was on the 2nd edition 6 inch of 1899, over 50 years after discovery. The authority for the siting is now unknown owing to the destruction of the records. The only detailed location occurs in the parish history published by Charles Cotton fifty years after the event which places the find spot south of Ozengell Grange and close to where the "spoilbank ends". If this information is correct then the O.S. siting is wrong and Ozengell is situated only 200 yard from the Lord of the Manor graves and is therefore probably part of the same cemetery. (37)

Details of recent excavations at the Ozengell cemetery. See TR 36 NE 58 for details. (38)

Further bibliography (39 and 40).

A Desk Based Assessment in May 2014 by the Trust for Thanet Archaeology considered the impact on this monument by proposed development at the site. (41)


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

<2> Page, W. (ed), 1908, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volumne I, VCH 1, 1908, 362-3 (RA Smith) (Monograph). SKE7882.

<3> Page, W. (ed), 1932, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volume III, VCH 3, 1932, 162 (RF Jessup and MV Taylor) (Monograph). SKE7810.

<4> Hist. and Antiquaries of St. Lawrence Thanet, 1895, 263 (C Cotton) (OS Card Reference). SKE44061.

<5> OS 6" 1899 (OS Card Reference). SKE48314.

<6> F1 AC 05-MAR-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE41765.

<7> Gazette of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites 1964, 131 (A Meaney) (OS Card Reference). SKE43569.

<8> JBAA 1, 1846, 242-43 (OS Card Reference). SKE44856.

<9> JBAA 2, 1847, 338 (OS Card Reference). SKE44898.

<10> JBAA 3, 1848 120, 246 (OS Card Reference). SKE44937.

<11> Medieval Archaeol 19, 1975, 223 (LE Webster and J Cherry) (OS Card Reference). SKE46840.

<12> Medieval Archaeol 25, 1981, 171 (SM Youngs and J Clark) (OS Card Reference). SKE46847.

<13> Medieval Archaeol 26, 1982, 189-90 (SM Youngs and J Clark) (OS Card Reference). SKE46848.

<14> RCHM(E) Excavation Index Thanet, Kent, 9, PRN 15328 and 15329 (OS Card Reference). SKE48975.

<15> Ordnance Survey, 1 Cliff Street, Ramsgate (OS Card Reference). SKE48100.

<16> Mr D Perkins, Field Officer, TAV, 12 Star Lane, Westwood, Margate (OS Card Reference). SKE47373.

<17> Archaeol 34, 1852, 179, illus (J Yonge-Akerman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37205.

<18> Journ Archaeol Science 12.01.1985, 71, illus (DT Moore and WA Oddy) (OS Card Reference). SKE45024.

<19> Medieval Archaeol 21, 1977, 18 (R Arent and D Leigh) (OS Card Reference). SKE46846.

<20> BAR 128, 1982 Sceattas in England and on the Continent 257 (Hill and Metcalf) (OS Card Reference). SKE37501.

<21> Wheel Thrown Pottery in Anglo-Saxon Graves 1979, 67,80,82 (VI Evison) (OS Card Reference). SKE51320.

<22> Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of the Pagan Period I, 1977, 92, 253 (JNL Myres) (OS Card Reference). SKE39246.

<23> Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of the Pagan Period 2, 1977, fig. 253 (JNL Myres) (OS Card Reference). SKE39245.

<24> Dark Age Britain 1956, 159, 164 (DB Harden) (OS Card Reference). SKE39594.

<25> Antiquaries Journ 1923,124 (RA Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE33260.

<26> The Arts in Early England 4, 1915, 700-1 (GB Brown) (OS Card Reference). SKE50107.

<27> Archaeol Cant 12, 1878, 334 (OS Card Reference). SKE37209.

<28> CBA Res Rep 48, 1982, Archaeol in Kent to AD 1550, 70 (Leach) (OS Card Reference). SKE38902.

<29> Num. Chron. 8, 1846 (OS Card Reference). SKE47748.

<30> Coll. Ant. 1, 1848, 105 (OS Card Reference). SKE39173.

<31> Coll. Ant. 2, 1852, 246 (OS Card Reference). SKE39174.

<32> Coll. Ant. 3, 1854, 1-18 (OS Card Reference). SKE39175.

<33> Crania Britannica 2, 1865, pl. 38 (JB Davis and J Thurnam) (OS Card Reference). SKE39491.

<34> Remains of Pagan Saxondom 1855, 57,70,71,79 (JY Akerman) (OS Card Reference). SKE49150.

<35> Long Ago 2, 1874, 136 (OS Card Reference). SKE46177.

<36> Coll. Ant. 7, 1880, 190 (CR Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE39176.

<37> Archaeol Cant 84, 1969, 26-7 (L Millard, S Jarman, S Chadwick-Hawkes) (OS Card Reference). SKE37249.

<38> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1987, Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive, Isle of Thanet Archaeol Unit Sites and Mons. Archive 1988, Record No 158, photos, plans (Collection). SKE11846.

<39> Field report for monument TR 36 NE 26 - March, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6166.

<40> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1991, Proposed Improvements to The A253 Between Monkton & Ramsgate: The Archaeological Implications (Unpublished document). SKE11867.

<41> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 2014, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Land North of Canterbury Road East, Ramsgate, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31142.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1962.
<2>Monograph: Page, W. (ed). 1908. The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volumne I. VCH 1, 1908, 362-3 (RA Smith).
<3>Monograph: Page, W. (ed). 1932. The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volume III. VCH 3, 1932, 162 (RF Jessup and MV Taylor).
<4>OS Card Reference: Hist. and Antiquaries of St. Lawrence Thanet, 1895, 263 (C Cotton).
<5>OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1899.
<6>OS Card Reference: F1 AC 05-MAR-64.
<7>OS Card Reference: Gazette of Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Sites 1964, 131 (A Meaney).
<8>OS Card Reference: JBAA 1, 1846, 242-43.
<9>OS Card Reference: JBAA 2, 1847, 338.
<10>OS Card Reference: JBAA 3, 1848 120, 246.
<11>OS Card Reference: Medieval Archaeol 19, 1975, 223 (LE Webster and J Cherry).
<12>OS Card Reference: Medieval Archaeol 25, 1981, 171 (SM Youngs and J Clark).
<13>OS Card Reference: Medieval Archaeol 26, 1982, 189-90 (SM Youngs and J Clark).
<14>OS Card Reference: RCHM(E) Excavation Index Thanet, Kent, 9, PRN 15328 and 15329.
<15>OS Card Reference: Ordnance Survey, 1 Cliff Street, Ramsgate.
<16>OS Card Reference: Mr D Perkins, Field Officer, TAV, 12 Star Lane, Westwood, Margate.
<17>OS Card Reference: Archaeol 34, 1852, 179, illus (J Yonge-Akerman).
<18>OS Card Reference: Journ Archaeol Science 12.01.1985, 71, illus (DT Moore and WA Oddy).
<19>OS Card Reference: Medieval Archaeol 21, 1977, 18 (R Arent and D Leigh).
<20>OS Card Reference: BAR 128, 1982 Sceattas in England and on the Continent 257 (Hill and Metcalf).
<21>OS Card Reference: Wheel Thrown Pottery in Anglo-Saxon Graves 1979, 67,80,82 (VI Evison).
<22>OS Card Reference: Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of the Pagan Period I, 1977, 92, 253 (JNL Myres).
<23>OS Card Reference: Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Pottery of the Pagan Period 2, 1977, fig. 253 (JNL Myres).
<24>OS Card Reference: Dark Age Britain 1956, 159, 164 (DB Harden).
<25>OS Card Reference: Antiquaries Journ 1923,124 (RA Smith).
<26>OS Card Reference: The Arts in Early England 4, 1915, 700-1 (GB Brown).
<27>OS Card Reference: Archaeol Cant 12, 1878, 334.
<28>OS Card Reference: CBA Res Rep 48, 1982, Archaeol in Kent to AD 1550, 70 (Leach).
<29>OS Card Reference: Num. Chron. 8, 1846.
<30>OS Card Reference: Coll. Ant. 1, 1848, 105.
<31>OS Card Reference: Coll. Ant. 2, 1852, 246.
<32>OS Card Reference: Coll. Ant. 3, 1854, 1-18.
<33>XYOS Card Reference: Crania Britannica 2, 1865, pl. 38 (JB Davis and J Thurnam). [Mapped feature: #61389 Cemetery, ]
<34>OS Card Reference: Remains of Pagan Saxondom 1855, 57,70,71,79 (JY Akerman).
<35>OS Card Reference: Long Ago 2, 1874, 136.
<36>OS Card Reference: Coll. Ant. 7, 1880, 190 (CR Smith).
<37>OS Card Reference: Archaeol Cant 84, 1969, 26-7 (L Millard, S Jarman, S Chadwick-Hawkes).
<38>Collection: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 1987. Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive. Isle of Thanet Archaeol Unit Sites and Mons. Archive 1988, Record No 158, photos, plans.
<39>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 36 NE 26 - March, 1964.
<40>Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 1991. Proposed Improvements to The A253 Between Monkton & Ramsgate: The Archaeological Implications.
<41>Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 2014. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Land North of Canterbury Road East, Ramsgate, Kent.

Related records

TR 36 NE 58Parent of: Early medieval burials and grave goods, Ozengell cemetery, near Monkton (Monument)