Sarre Anglo-Saxon Cemetery
Discovered during works on the
property of Mr. Holman, at Sarr windmill, in July,1860, of a
remarkably fine fibula, some gold coins, a bronze bowl, and other
articles of great interest. These relics, which are described by Mr.
C. Roach Smith, in the fourth volume of ‘Archaeologia Cantiana,’
were purchased by the British Museum, and our Society at once opened
negotiations for further researches on the land immediately adjoining,
the property of the Marquess Conyngham. Mr John Brent, junior, F.S.A.
accordingly commenced the excavations, with two labourers, on the 17th
of September, being then and ever since assisted by the kind
co-operation of the Rev. Mr. Drake and Mr. J. B. Sheppard. Other
gentlemen, too, have occasionally rendered me much service. Relics
discovered by these excavations were published in
Archaeologia Cantiana Vol.
3 - 1860 pages 35-46, Vol.
5 - 1863 pages 305-322, Vol.
6 - 1866 pages 157-185, Vol.
7 - 1868 pages 307-321.
The finds from the excavation are now in
the possession of the Kent Archaeological and many items are on
display at Maidstone Museum, Faiths Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH.
In 1990 Dr David Perkins excavated some evaluation trenches
near to the earlier 1860's excavations. The results are published in
Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. 109 - 1991 pages 139-166 and Vol 110 - 1992
pages 83-120. Vol 110 contains a very useful Appendix listing
tabulated data from all the excavations page 106 to 120 bring to a
total of graves discovered over the years to 299. research@kentarchaeology.org.uk