Monument record TR 26 NE 1404 - Two Early Bronze Age beaker burials - Monkton

During excavations conducted in 1994-5 in advance of dualling work on the A253 several beaker period graves were recorded. Two were located in area 9, just to the south west of the western post-pit alignment.

Grave 3035 was an elongated oval in plan and measured 1.8 by 0.85m. The longitudinal axis of the cut was of the same general orientation as the westernmost section of the post-pit alignment. The cut itself was 0.4m deep with a steep-sided profile which graded into a u-shaped base. Although no trace of a skeleton survived within this feature, its interpretation as a grave is secure because of the presence of a copper alloy bracelet situated in its western half and a complete Beaker vessel laid on its side, some 0.5m to the east. The position of these artefacts suggests that the corpse was probably laid in a crouched position with its head to the west, in other words with the beaker at its feet and the bracelet on one of the arms. The backfill of the grave generally consisted of a compact brown soil with frequent chalk inclusions. There was a discoloured chalk packing around the inside edge of the cut, possibly representing packing around an original timber lining, now completely decayed. Both of these deposits were otherwise sterile.

Grave 3033 was This subrectangular with its long axis parallel to the post-pit alignment The grave was 2.3m long and, on average, 0.9m wide, with a well cut, verticalsided and flat-based profile 0.52m deep. On the base of the grave, in its western half, was a very badly preserved crouched skeleton with its head to the west, facing south. This was probably an adult, but its sex could not be determined. An assemblage of 217 minute annular jet beads was found located in the neck area of the body, presumably part of a necklace. These were the only grave goods. The grave contained two identifiable backfills. Around the edges of the cut was a deposit of discoloured chalk rubble packing, this had a near vertical inner edge. This deposit was abutted by the general fill, which consisted of a compact brown soil with frequent chalk fragments. Both of these fills were artefactually sterile. The disposition of these deposits suggests that some form of wooden lining or coffin had once surrounded the interment, though no trace of the timber had survived. (1-2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Canterbury's Archaeology 1994 - 1995 (Serial). SKE11882.

<2> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1993, An Archaeological Evaluation Ahead Of Improvements To The A253, Monkton To Minster (Unpublished document). SKE17233.

<3> Historic England Archive, 1949-1976, Historic England Archive CUCAP oblique aerial photographs, CUCAP CW65 19-JUL-1949 (Archive). SKE57107.