Roman inhumation burial in coffin, Chesterford to Newmarket Railway (EHER 83476)

An inhumation burial in a coffin discovered in 1847 by workmen during construction of the Newmarket Branch Railway (EHER 4984) and recorded by Lord Braybrooke (Hon. R.C. Neville).

A coffin burial found in 1847 in making the Newmarket Branch Railway (EHER 4984). Iron fittings of a coffin were found. Burial was accompanied by a red ware flask, ornamented with white streaks, probably late Roman. <1> <2> In July 1847, ‘on the new branch of railway from Chesterford to Newmarket, not far distant from its junction with the Eastern Counties line’, Braybrooke recorded the discovery of an inhumation. This comprised the debris of a coffin, found by the navvies, who came on a perfect skeleton, accompanied by two iron bracts with grabs attached to them. These were no doubt intended for the purpose of obtaining firm hold of the coffin, and apparently crossed it, one at the foot, the other nearer the head of the corpse and bore marks of having been nailed or screwed to the lid. Besides there was a longitudinal handle, not affixed, and moveable on its hinges, so as to lie flat on the top of the coffin, in the fashion of the handles attached to lady’s work boxes at the present day. Not a vestige of woodwork remained, but a plate of very thin bronze lay longitudinally with the bones. The holes of the nails with which it was fastened are still plainly to be seen, but no traces were visible of any inscription, or other distinguishing marks. When perfect, the length must have been 4 feet and a half [1.47m], but the breath would not exceed 3 inches [70mm].' Accompanying this was a globular red vase ornamented with white streaks, which was whole on discovery. <3> Note: The burial described in this record had previously been incorrectly equated to a later discovery from the same year of an inhumation burial (or burials) with grave goods including coins, recorded separately in EHER 4985. The comments from that record which relate to this (coffin) burial have been moved to this record.