This is a Roman lead coffin, a symbol of some wealth and status. It was made and used some time between 200 – 400 AD. Due to its small length (approx. 1.33 m), it is thought to have contained the remains of a child or young person.

This Roman coffin was discovered on the south west border of the churchyard in the 1870s, indicating that there may have been a burial ground here prior to the foundation of the church.

There has been suggestion that this, and a second stone sarcophagus found very close to the lead coffin in 1930, and now housed in the Dovecote in Beddington Park, were linked to the nearby Roman villa discovered on north side of the River Wandle.

It is possible that these two burials are associated with a settlement, yet to be discovered, on the south side of the river.

Early Christian tradition

The Roman lead coffin lid is decorated with a beaded central Y shape surrounded by seven large scallop shells. The scallop shell has links with both pagan and early Christian tradition, but in this example the design is certainly pagan – possibly alluding to the journey of the soul to the afterlife.[1]

The use of large scallop-shells appears to be a typically British design. There are several examples like this, particularly around the Thames Valley area, perhaps reflecting the taste of local craftspeople or clients.

In Roman Britain, the lead for these coffins would have mostly been sourced from the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Coffins were made from flat sheets of lead, one for the base and one for the lid, which were formed in a sand tray.

The coffin’s decorative scheme was impressed first into the sand and then molten lead poured in. To achieve the scallop shell design, real shells were impressed into the sand.

[1] According to Greek mythology, the souls of heroes and other favoured people were received by the gods on the Fortunate Islands. Here they enjoyed a winterless paradise.

Roman Lead Coffin illustration

Image: Lesley and Roy A. Adkins. Two Roman Coffins from near St Mary’s church, Beddington, Surrey Archaeological Society, 75 (1984), p.282.

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