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Four special artefacts discovered on Thanet could indicate the presence of other lost Beaker burials.

(i) A small, tanged, bronze knife or dagger with a leaf shaped blade was reported to have been found with human skeletal material during the digging of house foundations on the north side of London Road, Ramsgate in 1971 (OS 374 645; TSMR 350).

The discovery was not reported at the time and a unique piece of Thanet’s history allegedly relocated to London with the contract worker who found it.

(ii) A finely made flint dagger was found during house building on the Sunley estate, Cliftonville. Bradley Sergent, Grandson of the finder, kindly showed it to the Trust and made a vital, enriching contribution to Thanet’s archaeological heritage. Many thanks to him.

This dagger is a rare and important find. Clarke records no Kentish examples before 1970 (see below for a flint knife of different form). None have been recorded in Archaeologia Cantiana since (D.R.J. Perkins).

(iii) A very large 'beautiful flint knife' found on the West Cliff at Ramsgate was reported by Robert Hicks (Hicks 1878). He records that it was discovered together with two polished stone 'celts'. However this may be a reference to them being recovered in the same area rather than the same feature.

His photograph of this object sitting alongside Belgic and Roman pottery, plus the two polished flint axes (possibly of Scandinavian type; Ashbee and Dunning 1960) seen in the lower picture opposite, gives the impression that the knife is very large indeed. In shape it is somewhat similar to Later Bronze Age sword (Ewart Park) and knife (Thorndon) forms (Burgess and Coombs 1979).

The knife is not of the general form of Beaker associated flint knives. However the level of flintknapping skill required to produce such an object suggest that it would not have been produced later than the Early Bronze Age.

The current whereabouts of this object is not known, but it is suspected that it may have been stored at Ramsgate Library which was recently destroyed by a fire.

(iv) A large stone battle-axe was recovered from Ramsgate; possibly the West Cliff area again. This is a highly prestigious object which is again unique in Thanet. It can be seen on display at Maidstone Museum. The circumstances of its discovery are not currently known.

Beaker burials?

Of these three objects, the first two are most likely to have occurred in high status Beaker burials. The stone battle-axe is also a strong candidate, but could have appeared in other Early Bronze Age contexts. The large flint knife from the West Cliff appears most unusual and remains a mystery at present. It would however be well suited to a high status burial context.

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Beaker type?

Clarke's 1970 survey presented details of Beaker grave-goods and the type of Beaker which accompanied them. His work shows that bronze daggers are more commonly associated with the Southern British Beaker Group, though there is one association with a Wessex/Mid Rhine Beaker. Tanged copper daggers may be more strictly associated with Wessex/Mid Rhine Beakers.

Flint daggers also occur with Beakers of the latter type, but appear more commonly with the Southern British Beaker Group. Stone battle-axes appear rarely and seem confined to the Southern British Group.

Thanks to Ges Moody for the reproduction and enhancement of the Hicks photograph from Archeaologia Cantiana.


		The Beaker Period 2500 - 1700 BC
Return to Beaker burials on Thanet - Part 2 Display Contents Beaker Burials on Thanet - Part 2 Other possible Beaker burials Link - Special artefacts		Beaker burials on Thanet - Part 2 Other possible Beaker burials Link - Special artefacts Four special artefacts discovered on Thanet could indicate the presence of other lost Beaker burials.



Artefact scale in centimetre divisions		(i) A small, tanged, bronze knife or dagger with a leaf shaped blade was reported to have been found with human skeletal material during the digging of house foundations on the north side of London Road, Ramsgate in 1971 (OS 374 645; TSMR 350). The discovery was not reported at the time and a unique piece of Thanet’s history allegedly relocated to London with the contract worker who found it. Top
The Sergent Dagger Photo by TTA Photographer unknown		(ii) A finely made flint dagger was found during house building on the Sunley estate, Cliftonville. Bradley Sergent, Grandson of the finder, kindly showed it to the Trust and made a vital, enriching contribution to Thanet’s archaeological heritage. Many thanks to him. This dagger is a rare and important find. Clarke records no Kentish examples before 1970 (see below for a flint knife of different form). None have been recorded in Archaeologia Cantiana since (D.R.J. Perkins). Top
Both copyright Hicks 1878		(iii) A very large 'beautiful flint knife' found on the West Cliff at Ramsgate was reported by Robert Hicks (Hicks 1878). He records that it was discovered together with two polished stone 'celts'. However this may be a reference to them being recovered in the same area rather than the same feature. His photograph of this object sitting alongside Belgic and Roman pottery, plus the two polished flint axes (possibly of Scandinavian type; Ashbee and Dunning 1960) seen in the lower picture opposite, gives the impression that the knife is very large indeed. In shape it is somewhat similar to Later Bronze Age sword (Ewart Park) and knife (Thorndon) forms (Burgess and Coombs 1979). The knife is not of the general form of Beaker associated flint knives. However the level of flintknapping skill required to produce such an object suggest that it would not have been produced later than the Early Bronze Age. The current whereabouts of this object is not known, but it is suspected that it may have been stored at Ramsgate Library which was recently destroyed by a fire. Top
		(iv) A large stone battle-axe was recovered from Ramsgate; possibly the West Cliff area again. This is a highly prestigious object which is again unique in Thanet. It can be seen on display at Maidstone Museum. The circumstances of its discovery are not currently known. Top
		Beaker burials? Of these three objects, the first two are most likely to have occurred in high status Beaker burials. The stone battle-axe is also a strong candidate, but could have appeared in other Early Bronze Age contexts. The large flint knife from the West Cliff appears most unusual and remains a mystery at present. It would however be well suited to a high status burial context. Top
		Beaker type? Clarke's 1970 survey presented details of Beaker grave-goods and the type of Beaker which accompanied them. His work shows that bronze daggers are more commonly associated with the Southern British Beaker Group, though there is one association with a Wessex/Mid Rhine Beaker. Tanged copper daggers may be more strictly associated with Wessex/Mid Rhine Beakers. Flint daggers also occur with Beakers of the latter type, but appear more commonly with the Southern British Beaker Group. Stone battle-axes appear rarely and seem confined to the Southern British Group.
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		Acknowledgments Thanks to Ges Moody for the reproduction and enhancement of the Hicks photograph from Archeaologia Cantiana.
		The text is the responsibility of the author. The photographs are credited where known.
		Paul Hart Version 1 - Posted 07.05.06 Version 2 - Posted 21.06.06 Version 3 - Posted 16.12.06 Top
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