Roman VIP found at burial ground

The excavation was carried out before work to widen the A2

A burial ground found under the A2 in Kent has marked the area as one of the most important sites of Roman Britain.

Archaeologists say the burial site, near Gravesend, ranks with those found at the most important Roman cities such as Colchester and St Albans.

Three graves were found during a routine dig before work started on a £122m road widening scheme.

Archaeologist Tim Allen said one of the bodies, which had been cremated, was clearly of a "very important person".

There was known to be a enclosure on the site, near the Roman town of Springhead, but it was believed to be a rural farmstead.

"At the bottom of the pit, we came across the metal handles of a wooden board, and later a set of 23 glass counters and two bone dice, suggesting that we had found a gaming board," said Mr Allen.

The relics are on display to the public for two days

"These finds are rare, and mostly occur in graves, so we carefully took down the other half of the pit, and sure enough, it was full of grave offerings."

The remains included half a pig, which would have been food for the afterlife, and a large safety pin brooch.

The second burial site contained 15 pots, a bronze jug and another cremated body with a brooch.

In the third was a wooden box with a polished bronze mirror and several copper rings.

Enough of the skull survived for archaeologists to be confident the body was that of a woman.

The relics are on display at Shorne Wood Country Park visitor centre, Gravesend, on Friday and Saturday.