Roman Pottery and Burial Rituals on Upchurch Marshes

Memories of Upchurch

The Romans first appeared in Upchurch during the late first or early second century A.D. This is when a Roman settlement, one of the biggest pottery producing centres in the county was constructed, although the site is now covered by the river. According to Dr Richard Pollard in his 1982 doctoral thesis, the site probably lasted until the late second century when rising sea levels engulfed the marshes at Slayhills and Milfordhope. Although this probably finished pottery on the marshes, Pollard says that potting probably continued at Otterham Quay where Roman pottery and the location of a nearby Roman cemetery were discovered.

Most of the pottery found on the Upchurch marshes consists of beakers with smaller numbers of jars, necked and open bowls and flasks.  The quantity and variety of pots shows that Upchurch pottery was made where it was found. These black and grey pots known as ‘Upchurch Ware,’ are very different to other North West Kent pottery and have only been found in the Upchurch area.

The Romans introduced their own culture to Upchurch including the worship of a deity of Gods requiring the sacrifice of animals. Seven pots found on the saltings from 1950 to 1955 contained the sacrificial remains of puppy dogs only several weeks old. Charcoal was also found with the remains in each pot consisting of birch, hazel, ash, oak and willow. The pots were buried about five feet seven inches below the surface and the style indicated that these were made in the late second century A.D.

The significance of the puppy burials is uncertain because similar cases have not been discovered elsewhere in Britain, but in the classical religion of Greece and Rome dogs were connected to the underworld and were sacrificed to the Goddess Hecate as a purification ritual. She was sometimes referred to as 'The She Dog' and possessed power over fishermen and the sea. This may have been important to the Roman inhabitants of the low lying Upchurch marshes, close to the river. Sacrifices to Hecate were usually in the form of young dogs, preferably black puppies although the colour and breed of those found in Upchurch is unknown. Black lambs were also sacrificed. Types of wood like hazel and willow found in the form of charcoal with the puppy remains are also linked to Hecate.

The burials could have also been connected to agrarian ritual. The Robigalia ritual was held in honour of Robigus the God of Rust (mildew) to eradicate disease in wheat crops. Deities like this are known as earth spirits. Therefore, the puppy burials may have been offered or dedicated to the earth deity connected with the growth of crops. The only similar ritual can be found in nineteenth century Devon where, in order to rid a field of weeds, three puppies had to be buried there. However, available evidence shows that the Roman inhabitants of Upchurch were mainly concerned with making pots in a thriving and sizeable local pottery industry.

David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village.

David Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood

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