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Monument details

HER Number:TR 36 NE 58
Type of record:Monument
Name:Early medieval burials and grave goods, Ozengell cemetery, near Monkton

Summary

Early medieval burials and a number of grave goods have been found over the course of many years. The site is believed to be part of the Anglo Saxon cemetery at Ozengell. The first discovery was in 1846 and excavations have taken place up until 1982. In 1966 workmen discovered 7 graves, and 87 were revealed during excavation in 1977. The grave goods at the site have included spearheads, sword fragments of bronze and ivory, a shield boss, a shield grip and the rim of a drinking vessel.


Grid Reference:TR 3559 6519
Map Sheet:TR36NE
Parish:RAMSGATE, THANET, KENT
MANSTON, THANET, KENT

Monument Types

Associated Finds

  • BUCKLE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • DRINKING VESSEL (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • KNIFE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • SHIELD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • SPEARHEAD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • SWORD (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
  • WEAVING BATTEN (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)
Protected Status:Scheduled Monument 1004228: Anglo-Saxon cemetery S of Ozengell Grange; Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England: Saxon cemetery, undated ring ditches, enclosures, and linear features identified by aerial photography

Full description

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A large early medieval inhumation cemetery first found in 1846 and investigated at intervals thereafter, especially in 1976-7.

[TR 355651]. Seven early medieval burials were discovered during the laying of a water-pipe in the angle between the railway and the A253 and A256 roads. The finds are to be published by Mrs Hawkes. (1-2)

The burials were discovered as described, and after the pipe had been laid the trench was filled in again. The site has reverted to waste ground but can be identified by a line of disturbed chalk and is centred at TR 3554065121. (3)

This siting was confirmed by Mr. Phennick who could offer no further information (a). The site is a cemetery perhaps dating from the 6th century AD It is hoped that the finds will be acquired by Ramsgate Museum. (4)

Early Medieval cemetery scheduled No 250. (5)

TR 355651 Early medieval burials found in May 1966. The 7 burials found were orientated west to east in an irregularly spaced row from south to north. As the graves were excavated by workmen the majority of the finds were not properly recorded: some were recovered from the spoil heap, and others may have possibly been dispersed. Nothing is known of the contents of graves 4-7 and the attribution of material to graves 1-3 is based mainly on information from workmen and police. Finds included 3 spearheads, a wearing sword fragments of bronze and ivory, a shield boss, a shield grip and the rim of a drinking vessel. (6-7)

Further excavations at the Lord of the Manor began at the end of August 1976 and continued until 1981. The site, TR 354653, on land owned by Mr D Steel, lies near to the Lord of the Manor crossroads, and aerial photography had shown a complex of large barrows several smaller ones, an Iron Age enclosure (TR 36 NE 133) and the barrows and graves of an early medieval cemetery. These graves are thought to represent part of the Jutish cemetery of Ozengall. Many graves have been disturbed in antiquity, however grave goods left include jewellery, glass ware, pottery and weapons. Most of the latter material was of 7th century type with a few 6th century forms present. Publications relating to the cemetery are in preparation. (8)

[This site forms part of the early medieval cemetery at Ozengell. TR 36 NE 26]. TR 35506535 and TR 35706520. This large Jutish cemetery (c.600 graves) was discovered in 1846 and was excavated in part between 1846- 1982. In May 1966 during the laying of a water pipeline, 7 graves were discovered by workmen at TR 355651. The graves were orientated east-west in an irregularly spaced row from south to north, and were cut into the chalk to an average depth of 2 feet 6 inches and filled with chalk rubble and earth. Examination of the bones suggest that these 7 graves include at least those of 4 men and a woman. Only 3 graves contained objects of archaeological interest. Most of the finds were not recorded and cannot be related to individual graves. The finds include 3 spearheads, fragments of bronze and ivory, a shield boss and grip, the rim of a drinking vessel. These 7 graves belong to a larger cemetery, supposedly that of Ozengell Grange, of which the pipe trench cut only the southern boundary. It is unlikely that the cemetery extends much further to the west than the graves mentioned above, as this brings the graves too far downhill for Jutish burial practice. The area excavated in 1846 was contained between the fences of the railway cutting, though the 1980-82 excavation suggest that the strip of ground between the cutting and the northern fence was not examined in 1846. In the 1977 dig, of the 87 graves found 36 were found disturbed probably while the cemetery was in use or shortly thereafter. The burials were orientated east-west, except for the graves 29 and 82 oriented north east - south west and north-south respectively. Sandstone slabs commonly covered the graves and post holes were most notable in graves 39,40,42,43,45,47,48. Graves 13, 19 and 34 contained two burials. The average height for men calculated from examination of the bones was 5 feet 7.75 inches, for women 5 feet 3 inches. (See illustration card, see also TR 35 NE 26). 'Probably part of same cemetery'. (10 & 16)

Additional bibliography - not consulted. (11)

Scheduled listing. (12)

Between 1980 and 1982 the area north of the railway and east of the track was excavated by the Trust for Thanet Archaeology. Graves 89 to 228 were excavated at this time. At least three of the burials had penanular ditches around them. (17)

In 1989 the Trust for Thanet Archaeology carried out a rescue excavation ahead of road building. Additional burials were found north of the railway adjacent to Site 3 of the Bronze Age barrows. One of the graves had been looted in antiquity. The central part of the grave was disturbed. Remains of a coffin were observed and slabs of stone were found, suggesting there had been a ground level grave cover. An iron spearhead, two iron knives and fragments of a third, fragments from a shield and a bronze buckle were found in the grave. A bird bone was found and thought to represent a food offering. A second grave also had stone slabs and had been disturbed in antiquity. (18)

From the Scheduled Ancient Monument Register:

The scheduled area is a triangular patch between the railway and the A253. It is also crossed by the A256. The western section to the w of the A256 is scrubby woodland. The scheduled area to the E of the A256 is cultivated. An extensive cemetery was cut through while making the Deal-Ramsgate railway, over 100 graves discovered. Subsequently W.H Rolfe opened 13, probably located by a N-S trench. Objects from these were very rich. 7 further graves in a N-S drainage trench, probably indicate the true position of the cemetery, in the ground hereby scheduled-it may have extended eastwards, but probably not as far as the Saxon cemetery marked on OS maps. Formerly the site contained a number of small barrows over some of the graves. (19)
List entry Description
Summary of Monument
Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery.

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.

Despite some disturbance in the past, the Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery 60m north of Lord of the Manor survives well. The Anglo-Saxon cemetery has not been completely excavated and will retain potential for the recovery of further burials and grave goods. The site will contain archaeological information and environmental evidence relating to the cemetery, the material culture of those buried and the landscape in which the cemetery was created.

History
See Details.

Details
This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 3 September 2014. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

The monument includes an Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery surviving as buried remains. It is situated on gently sloping ground at Hollins Bottom on the south-western edge of Ramsgate.

Partial excavation since the mid 19th century has recorded over 100 Anglo-Saxon burials, many with grave goods, on or in the vicinity of the site. The burials were largely orientated east-west and many were covered with Sandstone slabs. At least seven graves included post holes, indicating a timber structure was associated with these burials. Three graves contained double burials. At least two graves were on a different alignment to the rest of the cemetery, being orientated north east to south west and north to south. Many of the graves recorded had been disturbed in antiquity. The remaining grave goods included Early Medieval jewellery, glass ware, pottery and weapons, and were largely of 7th century origin although there were a few examples of 6th century forms. Also included in the scheduled area is a ring ditch recorded by NMR.

The Anglo-Saxon inhumation cemetery was discovered during the construction of the railway line immediately to the north by the South Eastern Railway in the mid 19th century. Partial excavation was carried out on the site in 1845-50, 1977 and 1980-82. During the laying of a water pipeline in 1966 a further seven burials were found. These were orientated east-west and laid out in an equally spaced row from south to north. They were cut into the chalk to an average depth of 0.75m and filled with chalk rubble and earth. The associated grave goods included three spearheads, fragments of bronze and ivory, a shield boss and grip, and the rim of a drinking vessel.

Further archaeological remains survive in the vicinity of this site but are not included because they have not been formally assessed. Partial excavation near Ozengell Grange, to the north of the monument, has recorded several hundred Anglo-Saxon burials, which are likely to be part of the same inhumation cemetery. The levelled remains of a Bronze Age round barrow cemetery are also located nearby to the north west, including secondary interments of Anglo-Saxon date which may also be part of the same cemetery. (20)

An aerial photographic analysis in 2013 confirmed that numerous early medieval graves are visible at Lord of the Manor both south of the railway, and north of the railways both east and west of Haine Road. (21)


<1> Letter Mrs S. Hawkes, 24.05.66 AO/C/H7/101 (OS Card Reference). SKE46110.

<2> Med. Arch. 11, 1967 (D.M. Wilson & D. Gillian Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE46826.

<3> F1 ASP 24-OCT-66 (OS Card Reference). SKE42269.

<4> Oral Mr Phennick, Chief Engineer, Thanet Water Board, Ramsgate (OS Card Reference). SKE32573.

<5> DOE (IAM) Record Form 1.02.78 (A.E. Musty) (OS Card Reference). SKE40730.

<6> Kent A.R.G. Newsletter 6, 1966, 18 (P. Cullen) (OS Card Reference). SKE45708.

<7> Arch. Cant. 84, 1969, 9-30, illust. (L. Millard, S. Jarman, S. Chadwick-Hawkes) (OS Card Reference). SKE37065.

<8> Arch. Cant. 92, 1976, 254 (OS Card Reference). SKE37069.

<9> Arch. Cant. 98, 1982, 242 (D.R.J. Perkins) (OS Card Reference). SKE37072.

<10> RCHM(E) Excavation Index, Thanet, Kent 8, PRN 15326-7 (OS Card Reference). SKE48977.

<11> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1987, Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive, Isle of Thanet Arch. Unit Sites and Mons. Archive 1988, Record No 158 (Collection). SKE11846.

<12> Collect. Antiqua 1854, 3, 1 (OS Card Reference). SKE39185.

<13> DOE (IAM) SAMS, 1988, Kent, 23 (OS Card Reference). SKE40779.

<14> Field report for monument TR 36 NE 58 - October, 1966 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6198.

<15> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1991, Proposed Improvements to The A253 Between Monkton & Ramsgate: The Archaeological Implications (Unpublished document). SKE11867.

<16> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1994, A Desk-Based Assessment of the Archaeological Implications of a Proposed Development at Manston Road, Ramsgate (Unpublished document). SKE12032.

<17> Trust For Thanet Archaeology, 1998, Data on Cottington Lane and Lord Of The Manor (LOM), Ozengell (Unpublished document). SWX7108.

<18> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1989, Rescue Excavations at Ozengell/Lord of the Manor, Ramsgate (Unpublished document). SKE11892.

<19> English Heritage, Register of Scheduled Monuments (Scheduling record). SKE16191.

<20> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

<21> Alison Deegan, 2013, Air photo and lidar mapping and interpretation for land at Ozengell Grange, Ramsgate, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31449.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>OS Card Reference: Letter Mrs S. Hawkes, 24.05.66 AO/C/H7/101.
<2>OS Card Reference: Med. Arch. 11, 1967 (D.M. Wilson & D. Gillian Hurst).
<3>OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 24-OCT-66.
<4>OS Card Reference: Oral Mr Phennick, Chief Engineer, Thanet Water Board, Ramsgate.
<5>OS Card Reference: DOE (IAM) Record Form 1.02.78 (A.E. Musty).
<6>OS Card Reference: Kent A.R.G. Newsletter 6, 1966, 18 (P. Cullen).
<7>OS Card Reference: Arch. Cant. 84, 1969, 9-30, illust. (L. Millard, S. Jarman, S. Chadwick-Hawkes).
<8>OS Card Reference: Arch. Cant. 92, 1976, 254.
<9>OS Card Reference: Arch. Cant. 98, 1982, 242 (D.R.J. Perkins).
<10>OS Card Reference: RCHM(E) Excavation Index, Thanet, Kent 8, PRN 15326-7.
<11>XYCollection: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 1987. Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive. Isle of Thanet Arch. Unit Sites and Mons. Archive 1988, Record No 158. [Mapped feature: #1118 cemetery, ]
<12>OS Card Reference: Collect. Antiqua 1854, 3, 1.
<13>OS Card Reference: DOE (IAM) SAMS, 1988, Kent, 23.
<14>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 36 NE 58 - October, 1966.
<15>Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 1991. Proposed Improvements to The A253 Between Monkton & Ramsgate: The Archaeological Implications.
<16>Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 1994. A Desk-Based Assessment of the Archaeological Implications of a Proposed Development at Manston Road, Ramsgate.
<17>Unpublished document: Trust For Thanet Archaeology. 1998. Data on Cottington Lane and Lord Of The Manor (LOM), Ozengell.
<18>Unpublished document: Trust for Thanet Archaeology. 1989. Rescue Excavations at Ozengell/Lord of the Manor, Ramsgate.
<19>Scheduling record: English Heritage. Register of Scheduled Monuments.
<20>Index: Historic England. National Heritage List for England.
<21>Unpublished document: Alison Deegan. 2013. Air photo and lidar mapping and interpretation for land at Ozengell Grange, Ramsgate, Kent.

Related records

TR 36 NE 26Part of: Early medieval cemetery and associated finds, Ozengall, Ramsgate and Manston (Monument)

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