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Bones put flesh on an ancient myth

For some, the Isle of Thanet is an area of great economic potential and a new hub for culture vultures. Others see it as a poor shadow of its glory days as a thriving 1950s seaside resort.

But the dramatic discovery of a Bronze Age skeleton has resurrected considerable historical interest in the district and may just prove that a long-forgotten definition of its name is not merely based on myth and legend.

For Thanet is, literally, the Isle of the Dead.

Experts examining the remains of the 4,000-year-old skeleton, discovered by the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) near Monkton last week, say the find is an example how densely populated the land once was with burial mounds.

Director of CAT Paul Bennett said: “Thanet was covered with small burial mounds, many of which were in groups and clusters across the land – the area is not unique in that respect, but there are definitely a large number there and they would have been conspicuous.

“It had a rich agricultural landscape, and the mounds would have been visible to all probably up to medieval times when farming reduced them to flat land.”

~ Thanet giant: A strapping guy, but you wouldn't want to kiss him>>>

He added: “There is also the fact that the word ‘Thanet’ is thought to be derived from the Latin Thanatus, which means Isle of the Dead.”

East Kent is also thought to be the basis for the Greek legend of Ynys Thanatos (Isle of the Dead), where un-manned boats once rowed across the sea carrying bodies to the isle and returned empty before dawn.

But regardless of its gruesome past, the isle remains an archaeological hotspot.

The Ringlemere Cup, now on display in the British Museum, was discovered near Woodnesborough in 2001. This prompted further excavations of the area which uncovered a mass of Anglo-Saxon graves in 2005 and 2006.

Mr Bennett said: “The whole of East Kent has a very rich archaeological landscape, including Thanet, with many burial mounds, roman farms and villas, and settlements.”