THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE REVISITED:
PART II
D.R.J. PERKINS
INTRODUCTION
At the time of writing, an initial account of evaluation work in the
Jutish cemetery at Sarre in 1990 was published in Arch. Cant.,
cix (1991), 139-66. That text is of an introductory nature with only six
of the eighteen graves excavated being described; it being anticipated
either that the site would be subject to rescue excavation, 1 or
scheduled as an Ancient Monument. In the event English Heritage
now plans to schedule the site, although regrettably without being
able to apply management such as to protect the remaining graves
from plough attrition.
With the future of the burial ground now uncertain, it is important
that the evidence obtained in 1990 be presented in its entirety. This
text concludes the grave inventory, and an osteological report is given
as Appendix I. John Brent's account of his researches at Sarre in the
1860s is rendered difficult as a source by its archaic format. For this
reason essential data from his report are here combined with the later
material and presented in tabulated form as Appendix II.
EXCAVATION
A plan showing trenches and the position of graves appears in Part I.
Those graves definitely not examined by John Brent have been given
numbers following on from his list. Empty or disturbed graves that
may have been entered by Brent's workers are given a # prefix
1 The evaluation revealed serious plough damage to the graves and rescue action
was proposed in the form of a Kent Archaeological Society training excavation.
2 J. Brent, 'Account of the Society's Researches in the Saxon Cemetery at Sarre',
Arch. Cant. v, vi, vii, (1862-8).
83
D.R.J. PERKINS
against the chance of their being identified from Brent's cemetery
plan. Grave plans are given in Figs. 1 and 2 and grave-goods are
illustrated in Figs. 3-7. Grave structures are listed according to
C. Hogarth's classification.3 Patterns of grave disturbance are
described according to the writer's own system of classification which
was supplied in Part I. Further information bearing on the Sarre
cemetery and obtained during a rescue excavation in 1991 was
touched upon in Part I, and will be dealt with in detail in a separate
publication.4
GRAVE INVENTORY (Continued)
All grave measurements given are the maximums. All depth
measurements are from the exposed chalk surface. Letters refer to
the position of objects or features shown in the grave drawings, Figs.
1 and 2. Numbers refer to grave goods illustrations, Figs. 3-7. Grave
numbers follow in sequence from John Brent's excavations. Numbers
with a # prefix were allocated prior to it being established whether or
not Brent had opened a given grave. Unless otherwise stated burials
are head west.
Grave #1
Length 3.00 m., width 1.12 m., depth 0.45 m. Orientated 280°.
A neatly cut grave with rounded corners, and of U section. Empty
but for two eroded long bone fragments at the western end, (a). The
fill was loose, grey-black, and generally unlike that of the other
graves. This is probably a grave investigated by Brent.
Grave 276 (#3)
Length 2.40 m., width 0.88 m., depth 0.57 m. Orientated 295°.
A neatly cut grave having an external structure Class II, a, 2,
consisting of four well cut post-holes each of which had been re-cut,
see Fig. 1 (inset). The grave had been disturbed in antquity, Class A,
1, factor 2(b ). Skull fragments may have been in situ, but long bones
were heaped at the western end of the grave. The only finds were two
3 A.C. Hogarth, 'Structural features in Anglo-Saxon Graves' Arch. Journ., cxxx
(1973), 104-19.
,
4 In preparation in 'The Sarre Main Drainage Scheme: an Archaeological Repo rt
for Southern Water'.
84
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Grave # 1
-a
Grave 279
Grave 276
Grave 280
Inset: Grave 276
with poslholes
0
0 CD
Im.
Fig. 1. Grave plans to scale as shown.
85
Grave 27
a
'·"
,
Grave 283
Grave 288
•-3
() ...
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave 284 Grave 287
1-a
: .
Grave 289
Fig. 2. Grave plans to scale as shown.
86
,....
a
C
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
bronze strap-ends, Fig. 3, 4 and 5, and some fragments of worked
bone, perhaps from a comb (not illustrated).
Grave 278 (#5)
Length 1.65 m., width 0.86 m., depth 0.67 m. Orientated 290°.
A grave of rather irregular plan, but with well-cut vertical sides.
Presumably, the grave of a female child, of which only the teeth
survived, (a). At (b) an iron knife, Fig. 4, 24, and scattered about
point (c) 25 beads (two fragmentary), Fig. 4, 1-23.
Grave 279 (#6)
Length 2.40 m., width 1.20 m., depth 0.98 m. Orientated 305°.
Grave with rounded corners and vertical sides. Disturbed in antiquity,
bones and objects scattered in the fill at all levels, Class 1,
2(b). Presumably, a multiple burial, bones were found representing
four persons at least one of them male. The only finds were an iron
knife and a spear ferrule, Fig. 5, 1 and 2.
Grave 280 (#7)
Length 1.80 m., width 0.60 m., depth 0.35 m. Orientated 290°.
A small more or less rectangular grave with well-cut vertical sides.
Fragmentary long bones of a male child. At (a) a small spearhead
found standing on its socket at about 10° from vertical, Fig. 5, 5. At
(b) an iron knife, and at (c) an iron buckle loop, Fig. 5, 3 and 4.
Grave 282 ( # 13)
Length 2.35 m., width 1.25 m., depth 0.80 m. Orientated 280°.
Grave with rounded ends and sides sloping inwards. Disturbed in
antiquity ( Class 1, 2(b)), the bones fragmented and scattered in fill
which contained fragments of peg-tile and a clay-pipe stem of
eighteenth-century pattern.
Grave 283 (#14)
Length 2.05 m., width 0.75 m., depth 0.24 m. Orientated 295°.
A grave with rounded ends and open U-section. Disturbed in
antiquity (Class 1, l(a) 2(b)), one tibia may have remained in situ.
Further damage in modern times by ploughing. When exposed by
machine a spearhead was disturbed from grave fill at chalk surface
level. At (a) an iron knife, Fig. 5, 6, and Fig. 6, 1.
87
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave 284 (#15)
Length 1.47 m., width 0.60 m., depth 0.10 m. Orientated 295°.
A small grave of oval plan, the floor sloping up at the eastern end,
Fig. 2 (section). A few skull fragments, and at (a) an iron knife,
broken with the point missing, Fig. 6, 2.
Grave 287 (#19)
Length 2.24 m., width 0.78 m., depth 0.79 m. Orientated 295°.
Grave with slightly undercut sides. Disturbed in antiquity (Class 1,
2(b)), bones piled at the foot (b).At (a) and (c) the heads and parts
of the shafts of two large iron nails, both bearing wood traces, Fig. 6,
3 and 4.
Grave 288 (#20)
Length 2.60 m., width 1.15 m., depth 0.90 m. Orientated 285°.
Grave with slightly undercut sides. Disturbed in antiquity (Class 1,
2(b)), bones piled at foot of grave. At (a) a small bronze buckle, Fig.
6, 8. In the area of (b) three angled fragments of iron strapping, each
bearing a wood trace, one illustrated, Fig. 6, 6. High in the fill was
part of an iron nail or skewer, fragments of iron rods, possibly the
remains of keys, Fig. 6, 5 and 7.
Grave 289 (#21)
Length 1.95 m., width 0.67 m., depth 0.25 m. Orientated 273°.
A grave with rounded ends, its shallow bowl-shaped section cut with
a slot shaped for the body, grave structure Class 1 (b )5. Disturbed in
antiquity, Class F, l(c), long bones scattered in fill, skull and feet in
situ. At (a) an amethyst bead and at (b) two beads of orange glass,
Fig. 7, 1, 2, and 3. At (c) an iron knife, and at (d) a piece of angled
iron strapping bearing wood traces.
Grave 291 (#31)
Length 1.90 m., width 0.75 m., depth 0.16 m. Orientated 260° .
A grave with rounded ends and shallow bowl-shaped section. Down
te south side and foot a shelf. This could be a grave structure, or
s1mpy. a solution hollow cut by the grave. Skeleton in very friable
condition of a slightly built individual. At (a) an iron knife, broken
and point missing, and at (b) remains of an iron object entirely
composed of corrosion products on a matrix of chalk silt, perhaps
88
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
1
281
2 I
-[ <. @@
6 Q0088
278
W11w Red Ornncw
YPilow □ Liqhl EH11,, Q
Grf'nn ■ Drk Bl11i,
l llf(f ll()IC.,(' □ Wl11lo □
Fig. 4. Objects from grave 278, 1-23 (Scale: 1:1), 24 (Scale:½).
90
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
once a shield stud, Fig. 7, 6 and 7. This grave was in process of
destruction by ploughing.
THE GRAVE GOODS
Supplement to the description of Grave 281 in Part I (cf. Arch. Cant.,
cix (1991), 146).
The upper fill of Grave 281 ( disturbed) yielded small fragments of
what appeared to be ivory. Later during processing of the human
skeletal material further pieces were identified, and all were then
combined to assemble three objects, Fig. 3, 1, 2, 3. From their shape
and texture they appear to have been fashioned from Walrus teeth.
One (Fig. 3, 3) is notched on three sides in a way that would allow
suspension from a cord or thong. With no more obvious use to mind,
they must have been worn, either for adornment or as amulets. Brent
found a pair of similar though more complete objects in Grave 204,
describing them as made from 'morse tooth' (OE).
Weapons
The spearhead from Grave 280 (Fig. 5, 5), has a mid-ribbed blade,
otherwise conforming in overall proportions and shape to Swanton's
D-series,5 in particular type D2. It is rather small for the type, being
only 24 cm. long, two examples found by Brent measuring 34 cm. and
42 cm. Although Grave 280 appears to be undisturbed, the spearhead
was found standing point upwards in the fill, its socket resting on the
chalk floor of the grave. Brent mentions the phenomenon as occurring
in Graves 237 and 238. It is difficult to explain this in terms of
rotting shafts or collapsing coffin lids, so here perhaps we encounter
ritual practice.
The Grave 283 spearhead (Fig. 6, 1), conforms with Swanton's
E-series, more particularly type E4. No surprise here, since Brent's
excavations yielded five of this type with six E3s. Swanton describes
them as sixth-century types.
A spear ferrule was found in the disturbed fill of Grave 279 (Fig. 5,
2), to which adhered a wood fragment preserved by iron corrosion
products. This had fine straight grain and exhibited a flat surface.
Presumably, the ferrule had rested on or against some wooden object
such as a box or shield.
An object from Grave 291, although composed of ferrous traces on
5 M.J. Swanton, A Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Spear Types, BAR 4, 1974.
91
D.R.J. ERKINS
a core of calcareous concretion, preserved the appearance of a shield
stud (Fig. 7, 7). Its position in the grave makes little sense, so that it
was perhaps intrusive. A relic in topsoil at the time of burial.
Knives
Graves 279 and 289 held knives conforming to Evison's type 1,6 Figs.
5, 1, and 7, 4. Graves 278 and 280 had knives of type 4, Figs. 4, 24,
and 5, 3. In the case of both the latter, a skin of metallic corrosion
and remains of a bone or horn hilt had expanded from the tang in the
form of a blister, leaving them in good condition. In particular, the
tang of the Grave 280 knife preserved a sharp rectangular section,
and was so well forged as to resemble a machine age product.
The knife from Grave 283 had a sickle-shaped blade with curved
back and inwardly curved cutting edge, Fig. 5, 6. Similar blades have
been recorded in the Ozengell and Sewerby cemeteries.7 They
presumably correspond with Bohner's type D. 8 The Grave 284 knife
had lost its point through plough damage, Fig. 6, 2. What remained
was a slender blade of thin section with parallel back and cutting
edges, and no appreciable shoulder between tang blade. The Grave
291 knife, Fig. 7, 6, was too fragmented and corroded for identification
as to type.
Of the 18 graves investigated, 12 contained knives, although it
should be noted that the remaining six graves had all been disturbed.
In undisturbed burials with preserved skeletons, knives were in three
cases positioned just above the left hip (Graves 280, 290, and 291),
and in Grave 275 above the right hip. The knives were aligned with
the body, hilt to head, in Graves 290 and 291, and obliquely, hilt
pointing inwards and down grave in Graves 275 and 280. These
positions perhaps indicate methods of attachment: sheath on belt
loop, or sheath on suspension strap. The knife types identified would
seem to be generally accepted as belonging to the late-sixth and
seventh centuries.
Beads
Grave 278 contained twenty-three monochrome glass beads, Fig. 4
6 V.I. Evison, Buckland Anglo-Saxon Cemetery, Dover, H.B.M.C. Report no. 3
(1987), 113.
7 S.M. Hirst, An Anglo-Saxon Inhumation Cemetery at Sewerby, East Yorkshire,
York University Archaeological Publications (1985), 88, Fig. 44, 8.
8 K. Bohner, Die Friinkischen Altertumer des Trierer Landes, Germanische
Denkmaler der Vi:ilkerwanderungszeit, Berlin (1958).
92
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
1
279
I
3
--- 9 4 280
283
)
I
0
(f) 6
Fig. 5. Objects from graves 279,280, and 283, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 (Scale:½), 5 (Scale: A).
93
D.R.J. PERKINS
2
284
287
•
5
7
6
..
l l I
u--- l.:_ I
()
288
-o- 8
e]J j
1
283
Fig. 6. Objects from graves 283, 284, 287, and 288, 1 at scale shown; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
(Scale: ½), 8 (Scale 1 :1).
94
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
289
291
Fig. 7. Objects from graves 289 and 291, 1, 2, 3 (Scale: 1:1), 4, 5, 6, 7 (Scale: ½).
95
D.R.J. PERKINS
(a) 1-23, and colour code Fig. 4 (b). In form they break down into:
disc, six; barrel, three; short cylinder, four; short cylinder rounded,
four; drawn double, three; drawn triple, two; pentagonal cylinder,
one. By colour: three white, six yellow, eight green, two wine-red,
and two orange. Two beads (Fig. 4 (a), 5 and 6), appear to be very
pale pink over a wine red core. Beads of similar appearance were
found in Grave 286, see Part I, Arch. Cant., cix (1991), 147. It seems
probable that this is due to deterioration, a colorant or component of
the glass breaking down.
Grave 289 yielded two barrel-shaped beads of orange glass, and
one of amethyst quartz, Fig. 7, 1, 2, 3. Elsewhere in the cemetery,
amethyst beads were found with a composite disc brooch and gold
coins ( Grave B, see Appendix II), and two pouch bottles and a silver
stud (Grave 220). Perhaps some indication as to why Grave 289 was
disturbed.
Buckles and strap-tags
Little can be said of the iron buckle loop and tongue from Grave 280,
Fig. 5, 4. This may have had a buckle plate, although no trace was
seen. The small bronze buckle from Grave 288, Fig. 6, 8, has a folded
rectangular plate fastened by three rivets. It was presumably mounted
on a strap rather than a belt, since the loop would only accept a
strap-end less than 1 cm. wide. It is decorated with incised lines,
punched rings, and lines of punched dots. While buckles of this form
are common, they are usually plain, whereas the decoration on this
small example could be described as meticulous.
A matching pair of bronze strap-tags was found in the disturbed fill
of Grave 276, Fig. 3, 4 and 5. They are similar to one found in Grave
98 in the Bucklands cemetery,9 although more ornate with ring-anddot
decoration.
Iron fragments
The fills of the disturbed graves yielded many iron fragments, for the
most part small and amorphous, so that nothing could be made of
them. The few of which it is possible to comment were:
Two nail or clench-bolt fragments from Grave 287 (Fig. 6, 3, 4),
are of the dimensions usually associated with fairly large wooden
constructions such as boats, doors, or more probably in this case,
coffins.
9 Evison, op. cit., 239, Fig. 47, 6.
96
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Pieces of angled iron strapping were found in Graves 288 and 289
(Fig. 6, 6, and Fig. 7, 5), those from Grave 288 bearing wood traces.
This might be expected, as such fragments are usually interpreted as
box fittings. Curiously though, the wood traces are on the outside of
the angles.
The pointed fragment (Fig. 6, 5), from Grave 288 might be part of
a nail or skewer. Less enigmatic are the fused together pieces of
round-section bar from the same grave (Fig. 6, 7); these are most
probably parts of keys or latch-lifters.
DISCUSSION
Plough attrition
Five graves were found to be in process of destruction by the plough,
this representing 27 per cent of those excavated. None of them was
more than 25 cm. deeper than the plough-abraded chalk surface, and
in each case bones and/or metallic objects were visible at the interface
with topsoil. Of the 272 graves opened by John Brent, he mentions
only one as specially shallow, its depth 18 in. Brent measured grave
depths from field surface level, whereas today's archaeologists carry
out open area cemetery excavations and use the subsoil horizon level
in which the grave first appears as datum. Both measurements are
arbitrary, and, without the rare survival of a contemporary land
surface, 10 we can have no idea of original grave depths. Brent tells us
that topsoil was 12-18 in. (30-46 cm.) deep. By our reckoning then,
his shallow grave would have been about 15 cm. in depth. Thus, only
one grave of the 272 opened last century was as shallow as five graves
(27 per cent) of the 18 examined in 1990.
This strange disparity in the incidence of shallow graves is surely
due to plough attrition over the 130 years since Brent's excavation.
The field seems to have been arable land for hundreds of years, so
that topsoil must have eroded from the exposed hill-top. Real
damage to the underlying chalk would have commenced in the 1950s,
10 The land surface of the Jutish period was observed in sections over two graves in
the Ozengell cemetery during excavations by the writer and G. Grainger in 1980-82.
These horizons had been protected by road and railway work in 1847. The section over
Grave 105 demonstrated that a medieval - nineteenth century build-up of loam over
the Dark Age horizon had been denuded elsewhere in the cemetery field during the
modern era.
11 D.R.J. Perkins, Archaeological Sites in Thanet; Their Need for Protection,
(updated 1992). Discussion Pamphlet by the Trust for Thanet Archaeology.
97
D.R.J. PERKINS
when ploughing by tractor became universal in Thanet, and the
subsoiler was introduced. The Trust for Thanet Archaeology has
amassed evidence on the extent of attrition on sites throughout the
island.11 Where there is an overburden of 30 cm. or so, plough cuts
into the chalk of up to 5 cm. are often observed. Subsoiler cuts are
much deeper, grooves 12.5 cm. deep having been recorded.12
Because furrows are spaced apart, it would take several years for the
mesh of cuts to overlap, reducing the whole chalk surface by, say,
5 cm. However, an annual attrition rate of only 5 mm. would, during
the forty years since powered ploughing commenced, suffice to bring
the more shallow graves to the point of destruction.
Grave structures
With the exception of annular and penannular barrow ditches, Saxon
grave structures are common only in east Kent, with their full
diversity of classes being unique to Thanet. Presumably, this sixthseventh
century phenomenon is a strong insular tradition, spreading
beyond Thanet by strictly local migration. It appears in Finglesham
cemetery which is close to the west bank of the Wantsum Channel,
and thereafter much less frequently, with cemeteries only 10 miles
away exhibiting no evidence of structures. 13
A serious consequence of plough attrition is that external structures
and those cut into the lip of the grave, are extremely vulnerable.
It is quite possible that some of the graves exposed during the 1990
evaluation had once possessed systems of post-holes or beam-slots, as
these are fairly common structures in the Thanet cemeteries. 14
Similarly, the large disturbed graves 285 and 286, might from
experience elsewhere15 have been expected to exhibit curb-slots or
the like.
Brent's excavation technique involved finding graves by probing
and excavating them through topsoil. External structures would have
escaped him, and lip of grave structures such as beam-slots or ledges,
if seen, may have been dismissed as solution hollows. He does make
occasional tantalising mention of internal structures, but this
evidence like so much else is so tersely reported as to betray a lack of
interest.
12 Ibid., 4.
13 As for example at Mill Hill, Deal; pers. comm. K. Parfitt.
14 Beam-slot graves (Class I, a, 3 and 4), form about 13 per cent of graves in the
Ozengell cemetery.
15 Graves of these dimensions in the Ozengell cemetery nearly all had curb-slots,
Structure Class II, d.
98
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
The five grave structures found during the evaluation (Graves 276,
281, 286, 289 and 290) were all of types previously encountered,
although that of Grave 276 is rather unusual. Graves 276 and 279 had
slabs of sandstone in their upper fill, fragments of this material being
observed in topsoil throughout the field. It derives from the Thanet
Beds, and at Sarre is far from its geological context. In the Ozengell
and St. Peter's cemeteries, such stone was employed for grave
covers16 and curbs, and in the construction of cists.
An account of the discovery of the Amherst brooch mentions that a
stone coffin was found nearby at the same time, 17 being later used as
a cattle trough. Such a grave structure would be unprecedented
among Thanet's Jutish burial grounds, but unremarkable, if derived
from the ruins or churchyard of medieval St. Giles.
Disturbed graves
Apart from Grave #1 which was probably opened by Brent, nine of
the graves examined appeared to have been disturbed in antiquity.
This is a 50 per cent incidence of disturbance, a figure quite in
keeping with that of the per cent incidence of disturbance, a figure
quite in keeping with that of the Ozengell cemetery which was 58 per
cent. In an appendix to Part I, (Appendix III, Arch. Cant.,
cix (1991), 163-6.) the writer offered a system of classification for
methods of grave disturbance, and speculated briefly as to the nature
and motivation for this phenomenon. While no new light has been
thrown on the latter, it is interesting that the pattern of disturbance
observed at Ozengell is here repeated. In this, the largest (in width)
graves, often with external structures, are wholly excavated. Narrower
graves, often with internal structures, are partially excavated,
and the narrowest graves and those with certain types of grave
structure are seldom, if ever, interfered with.18 Thus, if the motive
for disturbance was invariably robbery, social status in terms of rich
grave goods would seem to be also expressed in the dimensions and
structures of graves. Further study from a larger data base is needed,
however, before conclusions can be drawn.
One grave, #13, contained evidence of interference during the
eighteenth century. Brent was aware of some local knowledge of the
cemetery and its extent. 19 The writer deems it likely that the Sarre
16 C. Roach Smith, 'Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Ozengell near Ramsgate',
Collecteanea Antiqua, iii (1854), 3.
17 J.Y. Akerman, Arch. Journ., iv (1847), 253-4.
18 Writer's unpublished B.Sc. dissertation, Polytechnic of East London, 1987.
19 Brent, op. cit., vii, 318.
99
D.R.J. PERKINS
community knew far more about the graves and what was in them
than they admit. An account of the finding of the Amherst brooch
relates that it was discovered by workmen digging gravei.20 This story
has served to becloud its already murky provenance since there is no
gravel to be found near the Sarre cemetery. 21 Had either Roland
Freeman, who purchased the brooch from its finder, or Lord
Amherst, known certainly that it came from the cemetery field, they
would have been honour bound to hand it to its rightful owner, the
Marquis of Conyngham. Human nature perhaps influenced them to
accept the gravel story, or at least not to enquire too deeply, although
in later years Freeman seems to have had no doubt that the brooch
came from the Sarre burial ground. 22
CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation giving rise to this report has established that much of
the Sarre cemetery survives, albeit under threat. The graves, whether
robbed or not, contain most interesting sixth- and seventh-century
material, and exhibit a variety of grave structures and burial customs
seldom seem outside Thanet.
Part I of this report in Arch. Cant., cix (1991) was originally
published as an introduction to the archaeological implications and
problems besetting the Sarre cemetery, it being expected that a
phased rescue operation in the form of a training excavation would
follow. The latter solution was, however, abandoned when it became
known that the site was to be scheduled. Unfortunately, Ancient
Monument status can do nothing to protect the site from plough
attrition, a process it continues to suffer.
The future of the cemetery being therefore uncertain, the writer
felt it important to enlarge on some of the points raised in the
previous report, to allow informed assessment of the problem and to
promote urgent rescue work in whatever guise. Without this the
plough will eventually ensure that, in the sense of direct presentation
of evidence, these may be the last words on Sarre.
20 Akerman, op. cit.
21 The provenance of the Amherst brooch has been fully explored by Sonia
Chadwick Hawkes in 'The Amherst Brooch', Arch. Cant., c (1984), 129-51.
22 R. Bubb, Historical and Descriptive Guide to the Isle of Thanet, (1883), 38.
100
THE JUTISH CEMETERY A T SARRE, II
APPENDIX I: OSTEOLOGICAL REPORT
Rosemary Barnacle, Jose Gibbs and Linda Hammond
Skeletal material from 17 graves was examined. All consisted of single inhumations
except for grave 279 which contained a minimum of four individuals, making a total of
20 people. All the bones were in a poor state of preservation ( except for one femur and
pelvis from grave 279). Some had sustained plough damage and most had suffered
erosion. Several had small red markings on the surface; this had also been observed by
Brent during his excavations. We have been unable to discover the cause of these
markings.
Age has been calculated from tooth eruption and epiphyseal fusion for sub-adults
and from dental attrition and, in one case, from the pubic symphysis, for adults. The
remains have in most cases been sexed by their grave goods, and in the few cases where
it has been possible height has been calculated using Trotter and Glesser's formulae.
AGE
Of the 20 individuals examined it was possible to give an approximate age in years to
15. Of the others it was only possible to state whether child, juvenile or adult.
Infant and Juvenile age distribution
There were the remains of eight sub-adults:
one aged 3-5
one aged 4-6
one aged 9
one aged 11-12
two with no dental remains
one aged 16
one juvenile with no dental remains
Adult age distribution
There were the remains of twelve adults:
two aged 20
six aged 25-30
three aged 30-40
one with no dental remains
SEX
Of the eight children, two were female, three male, and the sex of the other three
could not be determined.
Of the 12 adults five were female, three were male and four were impossible to
determine, either by grave goods or by skeletal remains.
STATURE
Height of sub-adults was not calculated, as this can be inaccurate. It was only possible
to measure one femur, this gave the height of the female in the grave 279 as 156.8 cm.
101
D.R.J. PERKINS
The femur of the female in grave 281 was measured in the grave and gave a height of
162 cm.
Due to the fragmentary nature of the bones very few measurements were possible.
DENTITION
Very few of the graves had anything other than fragments of mandible or maxilla, and
only two graves had a full complement of teeth. In most cases the roots were small and
slender, even allowing for natural erosion in the soil. The female in grave 286 had a
loose upper incisor with an exceptionally short root - ? an hereditary condition of
dwarf root. She may also have had a peridontal condition as there was evidence of a
receding jaw line. The female in grave 289 also showed some receding of the jaw line
and may have had a peridontal condition. There was only one case of possible caries in
the female in grave 281, who also had a 'pit deformation' in the upper right first molar.
Generally, due to post-mortem deposits on the teeth, it was difficult to determine the
degree of calculus. However, some must have been present for two women to have
evidence of peridontal disease. Otherwise all the teeth appeared healthy, although
worn depending on age. The woman in grave 286 had with her a milk tooth - was this
her child's last 'loose tooth' that she was carrying around as an amulet?
DISEASE
Due to the fragmentary nature of the bones, it was difficult to identify many disease
processes. The few bone ends available did not show any degenerative joint disease.
The frontal bone from grave 286 was very thick and lumpy on its internal surface,
indicating internal frontal hyperostosis, a condition found only in post-menopausal
women. This burial was that of a woman of over 30 years.
TRAUMA
There was no apparent evidence of trauma to any of the bones. The youth in grave 290
had at sometime lost his two front lower incisors, probably due to a blow, as the roots
only were present.
SKELETON DETAILS
All skeletons were sexed by their grave goods unless otherwise stated. Age was
estimated by the degree of attrition and eruption of teeth.
Grave 275
Sex: Male
Age: 25-30 years approx.
Height: unable to estimate
Some bones showed red markings. Teeth-normal wear and tear. Fragmentary, no
extremities on long bones.
102
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Grave 276
Sex:?
Age:?
Height:?
Extremely fragmentary, one bone showed red markings.
Grave 277
Sex: Female
Age: 4-6 years approx.
Height: ?
Skeletal remains consisted of two tooth sockets and eight teeth.
Grave 278
Sex: Female
Age: 3--5 years approx.
Height:?
Skeletal remains consisted of four very thin small bone fragments and 13 teeth.
Grave 279
This grave contained a minimum of four individuals, although all very incomplete and
the bones were in various states of preservation.
Individual A
Sex: Possibly Female (from size of head of femur)
Age: Adult
Height: 156.8 cm.
Represented by one virtually complete femur and ? a second shaft.
Individual B
Sex:?
Age: Juvenile
Height: ?
Represented by femur with unfused epiphyses and shaft of tibia.
Individual C
Sex:?
Age: Child
Height:?
Represented by shaft and neck of femur.
Individual D
Sex: ?
Age: Adult
Height:?
Represented by two fragments of shafts of femur.
Other bones included a virtually complete pelvis, possibly female, which appeared
to be of similar build to the femur of individual A, a shaft of humerus, shaft and
unfused upper extremity of ulna and a shaft and unfused upper extremity of radius,
possibly belonging to individual B. There was also part of a mandible, possibly female,
with three teeth in situ and one loose tooth, giving an estimated age of about 20 years.
The socket of lower 6 showed evidence of a possible abscess. Three other adult teeth
were present, with an estimated age of 25-30 years. Some of the bones showed red
markings.
Grave goods suggested a male burial.
103
Grave 280
Sex: Male
Age: Child
Height:?
D.R.J. PERKINS
Represented by one? shaft of femur and three badly eroded smaller long bone
fragments. Some had red markings.
Grave 281
Sex: Female
Age: 25-30 years approx.
Height: ?162 cm. (femur measured in grave)
Represented by several long bone shafts, skull fragments, vertebra fragments and
some foot bones. 24 teeth were present, including three in situ in fragment of
mandible. Lower left first molar showed possible signs of caries and upper right first
molar had a pit deformation. Teeth were well worn.
Grave 282
Sex:?
Age: 25-30 years approx.
Height:?
Represented by fragmentary bones, including part of pelvis - the sciatic notch
suggesting a male burial, and one molar showing normal wear.
Grave 283
Sex: Male
Age: 30+ years
Height: ?
Represented by skull fragments, shafts of femurs, tibias, humerii and fragments of
both acetabulum. There were three well worn teeth. Several bones had red markings.
All the long bones were robust and well developed. The shaft of the femur when
placed against that of a 185 cm. tall man suggested a height of 178 cm.
Grave 284
Sex:?
Age: 9 years approx.
Height:?
Represented by a few thin skull fragments and one unerupted molar.
Grave 285
Sex: Female
Age: 20 years approx.
Height:?
Represented by several long bone fragments, skull fragments, part of the mandible and
six teeth. The front sockets were very close together, suggesting overcrowded teeth.
Several animal bones (Bos) were found in the grave.
104
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Grave 286
Sex: Female
Age: 30 years approx.
Height: ?
Represented by several skull fragments including part of the left frontal bone, a few
long bone fragments, two pieces of jaw with six teeth in situ, eight loose teeth and one
milk tooth. The frontal bone was very thick and lumpy - ? Internal frontal hyperostosis.
The teeth generally had short roots, with one upper incisor having a 'dwarf root'
?hereditary. The jaw line had also receded, ? peridontal disease.
Grave 287
Sex:?
Age: 35-40 years approx.
Height:?
Represented by incomplete long bones, ? hand or foot bones and 13 very worn teeth.
Grave 288
Sex: Male? (from size of femoral head and sub-pubic angle)
Age: 30-35 years approx. (from pubic symphysis)
Height:?
Represented by a surprising number of bones, including vertebrae and small hand and
foot bones. There were two worn teeth and some cow and chicken bones.
Grave 289
Sex: Female
Age: 25-30 years approx.
Height:?
Represented by fragmentary bones including part of the mandible with three teeth in
situ and eight teeth, showing some wear and evidence of a receded jaw bone
?peridontal condition of maxilla. Several of the bones have red markings.
Grave 290
Sex: Male
Age: 16 years approx.
Height: 151 cm. (from femur measured in grave)
Represented by part of skull, some vertebrae, femurs with unfused epiphyses and
other bone fragments. 22 teeth, three unerupted third molars and two lower incisor
roots were present.
Grave 291
Sex: Male?
Age: 11-12 years approx.
Height:?
Represented by all bones of upper limbs (incomplete), femurs and tibias with some
unfused epiphyses and other fragments. A fragment of mandible had two teeth in situ
and there were four loose teeth, two well worn incisors. Some bones have red
markings.
105
D.R.J. PERKINS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to express our thanks to Trevor Anderson, of the Canterbury
Archaeological Trust, and to John Morris-Wilson, retired dentist of Broadstairs, for all
their help in analysing the skeletal and dental remains.
REFERENCES
W.M. Bass, Human Osteology - A Laboratory and Field Manual,
D. R. Brothwell, Digging Up Bones
Gray's Anatomy - 34th Edition
Resnick and Niwayaha (1981) Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Disorders Vol. 3 -
Hyperostosis Frontalis Intern
APPENDIX II: TABULATED DATA FROM ALL EXCAVATIONS
For the 1860s, John Brent's Sarre excavation report was a model of lucid detail with
illustrations that may be admired today. It is a nightmare, however, by modern
standards. While it is possible to refer back from the plates of artifacts to the grave
inventory, the student is otherwise forced to search for data in Brent's confusing text,
often finding that the remembered reference is on the next to last page, and that the
additional detail sought is not there anyway.
Brent's account is often ambiguous, concentrating on the more impressive artifacts,
and often omitting data considered essential today. In some cases, even the presence of
skeletal remains is recorded by 'a spearhead by the left shoulder' or like remark.
Sometimes, he omits all reference to a grave but for its number, or refers to several
graves and their artifacts collectively. Much can be inferred from his text though, as for
example orientation, where we can assume that graves were aligned east-west, other
than when he describes them as 'oblique', or 'very oblique'.
This appendix seeks to help by listing the data from all excavations, 1843-1990, in
tabular form. Apart from convenience to the scholar, the table should prove useful in
the preparation of a final report in the event of the Sarre cemetery being fully
excavated. Some statistics gleaned from the tabulated data are given below
Graves discovered to date = 294, of which sex can be inferred from grave goods as:
Male 74 (25 per cent), and Female 82 (27 per cent).
Disturbed graves 54 (18 per cent) although 60% of graves excavated in 1982 or after
were disturbed.
Grave structures observed = 10 (3 per cent) although 30% of graves excavated in or
after 1982 had them.
Grave Goods, these were distributed as:
Disc brooches = 10 Graves (3 per cent): A, B, 4, 63, 94, 115, 158, 162, 210, 260.
Other brooches and pendants: = 15 Graves (5 per cent): 4,2 3,2 7,8 5,9 0,9 7,1 15,1 23,
126, 140, 148, 158, 159, 274, 286.
Beads = 46 Graves (15 per cent): B, 9, 13, 17, 19, 20, 22, 27, 32, 35, 53, 61, 63, 67, 75,
76, 84, 90, 94, 96, 101, 102, 105, 110, 115, 120, 124, 128, 141, 158, 162, 166, 173, 177,
188,210,225,229,236,260,262,268,278,285,286,289.
Coins = 6 Graves (2 per cent): B, 4, 6, 54, 83, 226.
Glassware = 7 Graves (2 per cent): 4,.6 0, 115,1 68,2 15,2 20, 274.
Pottery = 26 Graves (8 per cent): 6, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 33, 65, 70, 103, 109, 120, 124,
129, 156, 157, 168, 170,181,202,207,230,231,240,250,277
106
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Swords= 28 Graves (9 per cent): 3, 6, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 39, 54, 57, 64, 68, 71, 86, 88,
91, 103, 113, 156, 160, 189, 190, 211, 230, 250, 256, 264, 275.
Spears = 60 Graves (20 per cent): 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15, 18, 26, 30, 36, 38, 39, 40, 53, 56,
57, 60, 64, 65, 70, 71, 81, 87, 89, 111,113,132,135,138,142,143,153,156, 157,167,
180,185,189,190,198,200,207,209,211,213,230,231,233,237,238,240,244,250,
253, 256, 263, 264, 279, 283, 290.
Shields = 34 Graves (11 per cent): 3, 6, 8, 14, 18, 24, 26, 36, 39, 54, 57, 64, 68, 70,
71, 72, 81, 88, 91, 92, 103, 111, 113,118,132, 156, 185, 189,190,211,237,244,250,
264.
The format followed in the table below is:
Grave numbers: in sequence from Brent's Grave I except when given an # prefix
(modern excav ations), when they are considered to have been opened by Brent.
Orientation: approximately in degrees (modern excavations) or as east-west or
north-south as inferred from Brent.
Grave measurements: length and width given in metres as maximums, depth, in
metres from ground surface (Brent's graves), or from chalk surface (modern excav
ations).
Grave structures: marked t if present and Hogarth's Class given in comments.
Disturbed graves: marked D, disturbance class given in comments.
Sex: male (M) or female (F).
Age group: child (C), adolescent/young adult (YA), adult (A).
Grave goods and comments: given in condensed form, quotation marks indicate
Brent's text is quoted.
Table conventions:
Column space empty = no data, negative, or ambiguous.
x = no measurement supplied by Brent.
) = Graves dealt with collectively by Brent.
? = Brent's text indicates a possibility, i.e., that the grave referred to had a grave
structure or had been disturbed.
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
A X X X X F Disc brooch, Coptic Amhurst brooch
bowl discovered in 1843.
Stone coffin found
nearby.
B X X X X F Disc brooch, Coptic Discovered 1860
bowl, gold pendant during work on
18 beads, 4 coins Sarre Mill.
C X X X X do. do.
John Brent's Excavations, 1863:
1 E-W 2.43 X 0.91 A Double burial,
head to foot.
2 E-W X X X D 'Bones of Oxen,
no other relic'
3 E-W 2.59 0.97 1.21 D M Sword, spearhead,
shield-studs
107
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
4 E-W 3.04 1.22 1.37 F A Gold braid, silver Coffin-shaped
ring, bracteates, 2 grave.
disc brooches, 2
square-headed
brooches, bell
beaker, weaving
baton knife, keys,
shears, crystal ball
and spoon, comb,
pins, 2 Roman coins
5 E-W X X X X X 'No relics'
6 E-W X X 0.69 M X Pot, 50 ivory gaming
pieces, sword, umbo,
I, spearhead, iron ring,
Roman coin, knife,
bronze buckle, rivets.
7 E-W X X X X X X 'Some clench bolts Coffin?
found down left side'
8 E-W X X X M A Umbo, Spearhead,
sword pot, knife.
9 N-S X X X F Bead, Bronze ring,
Buckle, 'fragment of
stamped bronze'
10 E-W (1.22) X X M C Knife, spearhead,
ferrule.
11 E-W 2.74 X X M Sword, spearhead,
'two circular iron
plates'
12 E-W X X X ? M Bottle-vase, sword, Sword was across
'four iron studs or the grave.
broad-headed nails'
13 E-W X X X F A Bead, knife 'Grave of a very
old woman Teeth
sockets absorbed'
14 E-W X X X M A Knife, umbo Double burial
A Side by side
15 N-S? X X X ? M A Spearhead, sword, 'An oblique grave'
knife, Clench bolts Coffin?
down right side.
16 E-W X X X Buckle 'Only a small
bronze buckle'.
17 E-W 2.74 X X F A Beads (2) Double burial
C Iron box fitting?
bronze 'toy' axe
18 E-W X X X M Sword, spearhead,
large knife, umbo,
iron pin.
19 E-W X X X F A Beads (14) tweezers,
keys Buckle, knife
20 E-W X X X F Pot, chatelaine ring,
Beads
21 E-W X X X D None No relics.
Disturbed
22 E-W X X X ? F Beads (35) knife,
iron Buckle, two
Key broken
keys.
108
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
GNroa.v e Ornt. L. w. Dpth,, GS. D 1Sex \ A. Grave Goods Comments
23 E-W X X X F C 'KNnaiufet,i lubse ashdas p(e5d) ' 24 pendant E-W X X X M 25 Knife, umbo (broken E-W X X X 26 D C Bronze buckle E-W 2.43 0.76 0.99 M A bUumckbloe,, sPpuerasreh meaodu, nt, birroonn zloec bka, lKanecyes ,w ith k1n9i wveesi gihnt sd,o tuwbole schirecautlha,r kirnoinfe ,p lsahteea rs,
27 E-W X X X F bBrrooonczhe Banenaudlsa. r 28 E-W X X X 'hAor rsien-gb iat'n d a small 29 E-W X X X bPuoct,k lken. ife, iron 30 E-W X X X M 31 Pot, spearhead. E-W X X X 32 No relics E-W X X X F bKenaidfe n, eircoknla fcrea.g ment, 33
} E-W X X X 34 D kPnoitf e(f riraognm beunctekdle), BBoretnht d disoteusr bneodt , bbrooltnsz. e tag, clench sgarya vfero tmhe wohbijcehc ts 35 came. E-W X X X F 36 Beads, Iron ring E-W X X X t M A Sumpebaor,h ebardo,n zfeer rbuulcek, le tAh er eccheaslsk ctuot into 37 and tag. receive the head E-W X X X None dNiosc oinvteerrambelen.t 38 E-W X X X M YA fKrangifme,e nfetr rule, iron 'A youth's grave' 39 E-W X X X M (a) A bBuucckkleet ,( btwroon zken)i ves, lbouwriearl so f two uhmeabdos,, tswwoo rsdp,e aaxr-e, (b) chisel M A S(bpreoakrehne)a d, knife, (Upper burial) 40 E-W X X X F A (a) Lsiedfet--bhya-nsdid eo f bau rial
(b) E-W X X X
looking west.
M A Tfewrrou lsep.e arheads and Right hand burial 41 E-W X X X F fBraegamdse, nirtso.n 42 N-S? X X X Knife, iron fragments N'Aonr tohb-Slioquuteh grave' 43 orientation? E-W X X X Horses teeth 'no other relics·
44 E-W X X X 45 No data E-W X X X No data
109
D.R.J. PERKINS
Gravt
No. Ornt. L. W. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods !Comments
46 E-W X X X D No data Double burial, a
(a) skull at centre of
(b) grave
47 E-W X X X No data
48 E-W X X X No data
49 E-W X X X silver finger-ring,
buckle in link
(chatelaine?)
50 E-W X X X No data 51 E-W X X X No data Double burial
(a)
(b)
52 E-W X X X No data
53 E-W X X X M Spearhead, iron
buckle.
54 E-W X X X M A Sword, shield, knife,
bronze stud set with
garnet, Roman coin,
iron buckle, cup
mounts, shears.
55 E-W X X X F Beads
56 E-W X X X Spear ferrule, ( or
spearhead?), knife
57 E-W X X X M Sword, spearhead,
ferrule shield, (umbo
+ studs)
58 E-W X X X D F Keys, knife, (all 'A woman's
broken) grave',
59 E-W X X X Knife, iron buckle, • An irregular and
bronze nail head. crooked grave'
60 E-W 2.89 X 1.37 M Knife, small spearhead,
small bronze
buckle, claw-beaker
61 E-W X X X F Knife(broken), key,
bead
62 E-W X X X Knife, iron buckle. 'Grave of a very
old person'
63 E-W X X X F X Bead, disc brooch,
'Plaque from a Stoup'
64 E-W X X X D? M A Sword, shield studs 'umbo at the feet'
and umbo, spearhead,
knife (broken) 65 E-W X X X M Spearhead, knife, 'probably a youth's
YA pot, (fragmentary) at grave'.
feet
66 E-W X X X D X X X Disturbed, no
relics.
67 E-W 2.4 X 1.37 D F Bronze buckle, strap- • A girls grave from
tag, three beads the bones in spite
of its size'.
68 E-W X X X Sword, shield A grave nearly as
fragments, bucket deep as the last.
mounts, knife tags
and studs, comb,
belt-buckle
69 E-W X X X D Pot sherd. 'Disturbed'
110
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS D Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
70 E-W X X X D M Battle-vase, spearhead.
Shield-studs
71 E-W X X X M Sword, umbo, two
spearheads
72
}
E-W X X X Collectively: two
73 knives comb
74 fragment, iron buckle
umbo (broken)
75 E-W X X X ? F Beads, two small
bronze buckles, keys,
a bronze pin knife
(broken)
76 E-W X X X ? F Beads, knife,
keys(broken)
77
}
E-W X X X Bronze and iron
80 fragments
81 E-W 2.74 1.52 1.82 X D M Shield fragments,
spearhead and ferrule
(broken) bronze pin
'small piece of yellow
clay'
82 E-W X X X D 'Disturbed, no
relics'.
83 E-W X X X Bronze stud, two 'A double
(a) Roman coins, knife interment'
(b)
84 E-W X X X D F Small double bead, Disturbed
(glass)
85 N-S X X X D F Ring brooch, knife 'An oblique grave'
(broken) animal
bones
86 E-W X X X M Sword, knife
(broken) bronze
buckle. Tweezers,
'some studs'
87 E-W X X X D Spearhead, bronze
buckle, stud
88 E-W X X X M Sword, bronze dish 'A large, deep,
and stand, umbo, grave'
knife
89 E-W X X X M Two spearheads ('om
an angon') 'large
knife', iron buckle.
90 E-W X X X F A Bronze buckle, iron
ring, bead, gold
braids, bracteate.
91 E-W X X X D M Umbo (broken)
bronze sword pommel
92 E-W X X X C? Umbo (broken) and 'A child's grave'
single bead
93 E-W X X X 'No relics'
94 E-W X X X F A Bronze box-fittings,
beads, disc brooch,
gold braids,
belemnite fossil
(sharpened?)
111
D.R.J. PERKINS
GNora. ve Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
95 } E-W X X X D F A Fragment of knives 'Graves of women' 96 F A and keys, Beads in 96
97 E-W X X X D F A Cruciform brooch, Iron fragments
98 E-W X X X D F A Iron fragments 99 E-W X X X Knife, clench-bolts bfroaxg-mfitetnint g, leather
110001 EE--WW X X X F A 102 X X X F A Amber beads, 2. E-W X X X F A Beads, iron rings (2) 103 E-W X X X M A Pot, sword (broken) 104 E-W X X umbo, bronze pin. X D M C hKilnti'f e, 'top of sword 'A very small grave' !Ol X X X F A Beads, keys, knives 'All probably 106 F A (broken), a small women's graves' 110087 F A piece of glass, iron 109 FF AA buckle, two small bbroottnlzee-v bausec kles, 111110 EE--WW X X 0.45 F C Three beads 'a child's grave' X X X M A Spearhead, umbo (broken), knife,
'several clench
112 E-W X X X bolts' 113 X X 'no relics' E-W X X X M A Sword, spearhead, 'The rim of a small umbo, knife. cup- bronze vase' 114 N-S X X mounts? X F A Fragments of keys 'A woman's grave; oblique' 115 X X X X F A Two glass vessels, 'The bone of some one fragmented, the carnivorous
other a squat jar, animal' ???
keys (bronze and
isriolvne)r, pbeenaddasn, ttsw, od isc 116 brooch. } 117 X X X X X X 'No relics' 118 X X X X X X Grave E-W M A Umbo, three rings of silver wire, 'fragment
okef yas ,w aonodd eonth beor xi,r on
119 X X X X implements beside it' 120 X X X No relics E-W Pot, beads, 'Probably the (a) F A 'triangular pieces of grave of a woman (b) C perforated bone iron and child' fragments, 'one the cross plate of a shield' 121 E-W X X X X X Bronze key, ring 122 E-W X X X X X knife
112
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Grave
No. Ornt. L. W. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
123 E-W X X X X C? (Kberyosk,e knn),if pe,e nridnagn t, 'A child's grave, as silver pin, beads hown by the small piece of eeth'
mother-of-pearl.
124 } E-W X X X X F A Pot, knife, two beads 'Probably the 125 (amethyst), 'circular graves of women' purple stone' 126 E-W X 0.45 X X F Diamond-shaped 127 brooch E-W X X X X bIrroonn zrein bgu, cskmlea ll
128 E-W D Knife, beads, (2 Triple burial 'three (a) amethysts) Samian skulls in (b) sherd juxtaposition near (c) lgorwaveer' end of
129 E-W Pot, knife 'A child's grave as shown by the milk
molar teeth'
130 E-W X X X F A fIrraognm beunctks le'p, airrto no f a 'A woman's bronze plated grave'. This and ornament', Samian ontehaerrb yg raarvee s
sherd 'dpeesrchraibpesd b aesin g dug
oRno mthaen s ite of
interments', A
nearby feature
seems to have
been an Iron Age
granary pit filled
with midden
material and
containing a
burial.
131 E-W X X X X X X knife 'only a knife'
132 E-W X X X M Umbo (broken), spearhead, knife, two
iron studs
133 E-W X X X X X X X N'Ao crheillidc'ss. grave',
134 Double burial
(a) E-W Small piece of glass (a) lower
(b) Cinlcehnecsh -fbroomlts s 'uerifgahctee'e n(b) upper Coffin?
135 E-W X X X M 'A long pike, iron rivets, and small iron
tool like a farrier's
knife'.
136 E-W 3.35 0.76 X X D Red pot sherd 137 E-W X X X 'No relics. Femur and tibia measurements
together 37
inches'.
113
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
138 E-W X X X M A Spearhead, knife
(fragment) end-chape
of sword sheath
139 E-W X X X Small pieces of brass
and iron
140 E-W X X X Brooch-headed pin
141 E-W X X X F Amethyst bead, pot 'A girl's grave'
sherd
142 E-W X X X D M Two spearheads, 'Most of the graves
ferrule red pot sherd in this part of the
field had been
disturbed'
143 E-W X X X X X X X 'Two small knives,
144 spearhead, bead, and
145 an iron tool'
146
147
148 W-E X X X F A Brooch, bronze Buried with head
buckle, strap-tag to the east
149
}
E-W X X X D X X 'A knife and a piece Probably disturbed
150 of iron'
151
152 E-W X X X 'A double
(a) interment' no
(b} relics
153 E-W X X X M A Spearhead, knife
154 } E-W X X X D 'A broken pin, 'both disturbed'
155 amber bead bronze
and iron fragments'
156 E-W X X X M A Sword, umbo,
spearhead, bottlevase
157 N-S X X X M A Jug, bronze pin, 'An oblique grave'
spearhead
158 X X X F A Quatrefoil brooch,
disc brooch, 24 amber
beads iron loop.
159 E-W X X X Great square-headed
brooch. Tweezers,
keys, two knives 'an
iron .bolt'
160 } E-W X X X D Fragments of a
161 D sword and pieces of
iron
162 E-W X X X F A Disc Brooch, six
beads (3 amethyst),
fragment of blue
glass.
163
}
E-W X X X Knife (broken)
164
165
166 E-W X X X F A 'A knife, a link of
chain & a broken
key' Fragments of
ivory (purse ring?)
Bone disc, beads
114
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
167 E-W X X X M Spearhead, knife,
iron buckle
168 E-W X X X Buckle, iron
fragments, jug, claw
beaker
169 E-W X X X F Key, knife 'A woman's grave'
170
}
E-W X X X Pot 'not preserved'
171 E-W X X X broken knife, iron
172 E-W X X X fragment.
173 E-W X X X F Beads, keys, piece of
bronze
174 E-W X X X F Pin (ivory) 2 bone 'A woman's grave'
combs
175 E-W X X X 'no relics'
176
}
E-W X X X 'Small piece of 'Childrens' graves'
bronze'
177 E-W X X X F small glass beads
178 E-W X X X D Disturbed, no
relics
179 N-S X X X 'knife at foot' 'An oblique grave'
180 E-W X X X M Spearhead, knife
181 E-W X X X Remains of an urn, 'probably a Roman
animal bones interment'
182 E-W X X X Bronze ring, 'small
iron keys, much
broken'
183 E-W X X X Keys (broken) 'A woman's grave'
184 E-W X X X No record in
Brent's text
185 E-W X X X M Spearhead, umbo,
knife, bronze
buckle
186 N-S X X X D Iron buckle 'Small oblique
grave, disturbed'
187 E-W X X X F Box fittings,
keys, knife girdlehanger
188 E-W X X X F Beads, iron 'grave of a woman
(a) fragments and child, teeth of
(b) an adult and milk
molar teeth'
189 E-W X X X M Sword, spearhead,
knife umbo.
190 E-W X X X M Sword, spearhead,
umbo, two knives,
bronze buckle iron
bolt-head
191 E-W X X X Graves 191-197
192 produced few
193 relics, some bronze
194 D plating and two
195 broken knives.
196) E-W X X X D Double burial or (a) second interment
(b) E-W X X X
197 E-W X X X
115
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
198 E-W 2,13 1.21 X D M 40 gaming counters 'Near the turnpike
of ivory, two dice, gate on the
bronze buckle, iron Ramsgate Road.'
buckle, two 'At the foot of the
spearheads. grave was a small
hole containing
human bones.'
199 E-W X X X A broken knife and 'A woman's grave'
a key
200 E-W X X X M Three spearheads, 'A deep wide
(a) broad-headed nails grave'
(b) iron staples bronze An earlier grave
fragments had been cut
201 E-W X X X D 'The bones
displaced'
202 E-W X X X Bottle-vase (broken) Teeth of a child or
very young person
203 E-W X X X Portion of key, 'Grave of a
fragment of bronze. woman'
204 E-W X X X F Two carved pieces of
walrus tusk, beads
iron lock fragments
205 E-W X X X Knife • A child's grave'
206 E-W X X X Two iron keys, large
iron fragments
207 E-W X X X M Spearhead and
ferrule, knife (seax?)
bottle-vase, umbo
(broken)
208 E-W X X X Clench-bolts, 'iron Oyster shells, a
shield-braces', iron food offering? A
buckle, small bronze coffin?
buckle
209 E-W X X X M Spearhead, iron ring,
knife, small iron
buckle, bottle-vase
210 E-W X X X F C Disc brooch, beads 'A small grave, a
(a) wire ring, keys, girl's, the teeth
(b) bronze rivet, bronze being young. The
pin teeth of another
child were found
in the grave'
211 E-W X X X M Sword, spearhead
knife, umbo, pot,
pyramid-stud
212 E-W X X X Shears with remains
of a wooden sheath,
part of a key
213 E-W X X X M Spearhead, knife,
buckle (fragment)
214 E-W X X X Bronze buckle, knife Coffin trace down
sides of grave
215 E-W X X X Two pouch bottles Coffin trace down
both sides of
grave. 'A very
deep grave'
116
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
Gravi
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
.,,
216 E-W X X X '216 to 219 yielded no
relics except a bronze
buckle and two knives'
217 E-W 2.74 1.21 1.67 t Knife Coffin trace down
both sides of
grave, wood
remains
218 E-W X X X 'equally as long as
217'
219 E-W X X X
220 E-W X X X F Two squat jars, 30
beads, keys, a large
bronze ring, knife,
iron fragments silver
and bronze studheads
221 E-W X X X 'only two broken
knives'
222 E-W X X X
223 E-W X X X
224 E-W X X X
225 E-W X X X F Amethyst bead, 'The bottom of the
knife, 'the sliding grave was lined
bolt of a small lock' with decayed
vegetable matter'
226 E-W X X X Knife (broken), two
coins ( scea ts)
227 E-W X X X No record in
Brent's text
228 E-W X X X D Roman? pot sherds, 'at one end a thick
shells. layer of mortar or
cement'. ls this
grave cut by the
fourteenth century
post-mill foundation,
possibly
Grave #35?
229 E-W X X X F Knife, beads
230 E-W X X X M Bottle vase, umbo,
and shield-studs,
knife, two spearheads
231 E-W X X X M Bottle-vase, spear- Coffin?
head, 16 clench-bolts
232 E-W X X X Bronze buckle
ornamented with
enamel and garnets
233 E-W X X X D M Two spearheads, Coffin trace
umbo three beltstuds,
iron chisel,
knife, iron 'rivet or
clamp' bronze stud,
'metal ornament with
thin edging of gold'
234 E-W X X X 'A deep and
irregular grave, no
relics'
117
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave
No. Omt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
235 E-W X X X 'Two large iron Traces of burnt
clamps or rivets', wood.
knife
236 E-W X X X F 3 knives, four beads
237 E-W X X X M Spearhead, umbo, 'spearhead
shield studs, knife vertically placed in
iron buckle upper soil'
238 E-W X X X D M Spearhead, beads, Presumbly a
(a) small bronze buckle, double burial,
(b) F keys iron object, iror male and female
rivets, bronze and Spearhead vertical
iron rings, cowrie Remains of chain
shell mail?
239 E-W X X X A small bronze 'A very long
buckle, iron buckle, grave, but very illfragments
of wood shaped'
stained with iron
240 E-W X X X M A Pot, large knife, Wood traces,
spearhead and ferrule spearhead vertical
241
}
E-W X X X 'only an iron ring
242 a small bronze
243 E-W X X X buckle & a knife'
244 E-W X X X t? D M Spearhead, shield- A grave structure?
studs, studs, 'Hat 'A spearhead lay
piece of iron with in the cist at the
anchor knobs' head of the grave'
245 E-.W X X X Knife, clench-bolts
246 } E-W X X X 'Children's graves
247 no relics'
248 E-W X X X Knife, key, 'a ring o 'A woman's grave'
copper wire round
bones of left arm'
249 E-W X X X D Disturbed, no
relics
250 E-W X X X t? M Bottle-vase? Sword, Grave structure?
umbo and three • A red earthen
shield studs, two vessel laying on its
spearheads. side in a recess at
the feet'.
251 E-W X X X D Disturbed, no
relics
252 E-W X X X Knife Wood trace
253 E-W X X X M Spearhead, knife, • An irregular grave
'pieces of unbaked with the head 12"
pottery' animal teeth, higher than the
shells. feet'
254 N-S X X X Iron fragment 'An oblique grave'
255 E-W X X X 80 iron clench-bolts. The grave almost
cut another and
was on an incline.
• A shoulder-blade
and an arm bone
lay above the
skull'.
256 E-W X X X M Sword, spearhead 'A small and
small bronze ring contracted grave'
118
THE JUTISH CEMETERY AT SARRE, II
GNora. v1 Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
257 } 258 E-W X X X p'Srmobaallb glyr aovfe sc,h ildren, no relics' 259 E-W X X X 'Bronze stud or sbmutatlol ni'r oirno ncr uncaiiblsl e
oclre nbcehll ,b hooltn, ei,r on
staple, three
knives
260 E-W X X X F A 26 beads, bronze Double burial,
(a) rgirnege,n f rgalagsms.e nt of wsidoem bany saindde child
(b) F C bSrilovoecrh w airned rbinrog,o cDhi sc
fragment
261 } E-W X X X F Fragments of knife 'womens' graves'
262 or key, two beads 226634 E-W X X X M Small spearhead E-W X X X M Suwmobrod,, bsrpoenazreh ecaudp,-
mounts
265 E-W X X X lKanrgifee ,k e'hyo' obku'n 'cvhe royf
smaller keys
266 E-W X X X r'Celhicilsd' 's grave, no
267 E-W X X X a'Gndra cvhei lodf, an ow oman
relics'
268 E-W X X X F Four beads 'gAra vloen' g deep
269 } E-W X X X 'No relics'
227701 E-E X X X D Iron snaffle-bit iAn tseercmoenndt
(a) Horse's jaw and Disturbed, Class
teeth A,2
2(b7)2 E-W Knife X X X r'Ael icsms' all grave, no
Two graves encountered during work to locate the site of St. Giles, 1982.
273 260 1.95 0.85 0.35 D - A Iron fragments, Disturbance Class
sherds A3, 1.
(a) dPirsitmuarbrye db,u rial
(b) Spelocuognhd adraym b-urial aged.
274 260 1.80 0.62 0.22 F YA Silver ring, silver/ glass pendant, glass fragments
bfreoamd s3. vessels,
119
D.R.J. PERKINS
Grave
No. Ornt. L. w. Dpth. GS. D. Sex A. Grave Goods Comments
Graves excavated during rescue/evaluation excavations in 1990. Additional grave numbers with
a # prefix are given. These were used in the interim report.
#1 100 3.00 1.12 0.45 D Empty, one of
John Brent's
275 287 2.62 1.10 0.20
graves?
M A Sword, knife, bronze
#2 buckle. Grave
276 295 2.40 0.88 0.57 + D A Two bronze strap- Grave structure
#3 tags Class II,a,2.
277 120 1.60 0.85 0.59 F C Bottle-vase,
#4 chatelaine, two keys,
knife
278 290 1.65 0.86
#5
0.67 F C knife, 25 beads. Only teeth.
279 305 2.40 1.20 0.98 D Knife, spear ferrule. Remains of four #6 persons.
Disturbance Class
A,2,b.
280 290 1.80 0.60 0.35 M C Spearhead, knife,
#7 buckle
281 115 2.70 1.00 0.55 + D F A Four iron keys or Grave structure
#10 latch-lifters. Class l(b)5.
Disturbance Class
A,2,a.
282 110 2.35 1.25 0.89 D Disturbance Class #13
A.
Peg-tile, pipe stem
in fill.
283 295 2.05 0.75 0.24 D M Spearhead, knife. Plough damage. #14
284 115 1.47 0.60 0.10 C Child's grave,
#15 ploughed out skull
285 120 2.90 1.53 1.23
fragments only
D F A Gold braids, two Copper stain on
knives beads, iron jaw, brooch?
fragments.
286 115 2.88 1.10 0.88 + D F A Pendant (Tremissis), Grave structure #17 key, garent pendant, Class II(e)
36 beads bronze box
fittings
287 115 2.24 0.78 0.79 D Iron nails (from
#19 coffin?)
288 285 2.60 1.15 0.90 D Small bronze-buckle
#20 pin, iron box fittings
289 273 1.95 0.67 0.25 + D F Knife, beads, Grave structure #21 amethyst bead. Class I(b)5
290 125 1.85 0.88 0.50 + M YA Spearhead, knife, Grave structure
#22 I iron buckle. Class I(b)3
291 260 1.90 0.75 0.61 +? M Y
I
Knife, shield stud? #31
120
