Otford Anglo-Saxon Cremation Urn

An Anglo-Saxon cremation urn has been unearthed in Otford following a watching brief ahead of construction of an extension in a private garden. Otford and District Archaeological Group (ODAG) suspected that they might encounter remains of this type as a similar urn was found in the 1950s in the same garden, although the exact location was unknown.

Amazingly, the pot was only 8" below the present land surface and was partly under a concrete path. It was partly crushed but apparently still complete; the urn found previously (now in Maidstone Museum) needed to be partly restored. Careful trowelling revealed a pattern of incised decoration and 3 bosses, an unusually small number as cremation urns can have over 20. After excavation it was wrapped in crepe bandages and covered in cling film.

ODAG hope to be able to reconstruct the pot after careful excavation of the interior and to display it in the Heritage Centre in Otford. It has been x-rayed, courtesy of the owner of Elvian Veterinary Clinic at Dunton Green, and there are indications of bones on the x-ray but no grave goods as yet.

Below left: The cremation urn, and right: a detail showing the pattern of incised decorations.