A collection of more than 1,700 Anglo-Saxon artefacts which were discovered in Ramsgate has been bought by the Kent Archaeological Society.
The ‘Ozengell Hoard’ comes from a cemetery, probable 6th century in date, that was uncovered at Ozengell, during the construction of the Ramsgate-Deal Railway in 1845. A number of graves were found cut into the chalk and a further number, possibly as many as 100 ,were said to have been destroyed before the area was investigated.
The collection had been due to go to auction at Rosebery’s on October 28 but the Society has stepped in, meaning the artefacts will now remain in Kent.
A statement from KAS says: “An exciting acquisition has been made by the Kent Archaeological Society – the Ozengell Anglo-Saxon Collection.
“This has been bought to keep the collection in Kent and add it to our existing nationally important Anglo-Saxon graves goods collection.
“The first discoveries from this inhumation burial site were made in 1846 during the construction of a railway. Some of these early finds, now in the World Museum, National Museum Liverpool, originated from the collection of antiquarian, Bryan Faussett, which was then acquired by Joseph Mayer, who gifted his collection to Liverpool in 1867.
“In 1966 workmen discovered 7 graves and a further 87 graves were revealed during excavations in 1977, with a total of 192 graves revealed during excavations between 1977-1981.
“This purchase will complement our nationally significant collection of Anglo-Saxon grave goods, and we aim to display the Ozengell artefacts as part of this wider important collection.”
The Society will be publishing more details and images as they catalogue the inventory of items.
The finds from the excavations between 1977-1981 had been placed on loan to the Powell-Cotton Museum at Quex Park from 1983-2010..
The collection comprises over 1,700 artefacts, with disc brooches, inlaid pendants of silver and gold, glass and other beads, iron weaponry and implements, buckles, bracelets and fibulae, shield bosses, a pyramid mount and pommel, carved bone artefacts, pottery and glass vessels.
