KAS Newsletter, Issue 65, Summer 2005
Written By KAS
nneewwss ll ee tt tt ee rr K E N T A RC H A E O LO G I C A L S O C I E T Y
Issue number 65 Summer 2005
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
Inside
2-3
Tothill Street
Library Notes
4-5
New Venture
Time Team
6-7
Lectures, Courses,
Conferences & Events
8-9
Notice Board
10-11
Hollingbourne Hoard
Virtual Museum
Letters to the Editor
Mystery picture
12-13
Bigger and better
‘Distinguished
Contribution’ Award
Sandwich Project
14-15
Sandwich Project
Leybourne
16
Swanscombe opening
T O T H I L LS T R E E T THANET SITE REVEALS REMAINS FROM THE BRONZE AGE, IRON AGE AND ROMAN PERIODS - SEE PAGE 2
Chalk Ridge Cemetery
Rectangular
Structure
Sunken
Structure
Small Enclosure
Solution Hollow
Barrow
ture, a construction type which is being increasingly
recognised on Thanet sites. Sub-rectangular
or oval in shape, the building measured roughly
8m by 5m. Several post-holes were found in the
base of the feature, including two large squared
post-holes at the longer ends. There was no
direct evidence for a hearth but the chalk in one
corner appeared to be discoloured by exposure to
heat. Two pits at opposing corners of the structure
contained refuse material including mussel shell
and animal bone, charcoal-rich deposits and loom
weights. There is some evidence for several
stages of modification of the building and a concentration
of flint and daub sealing the feature
may derive from its collapsed superstructure.
To the east of the main enclosure, a second
smaller sub-circular enclosure, provisionally dated
to the Middle Iron Age was found. The enclosure,
which was approximately 18m in diameter, had a
south-west facing entrance. Although groups of
The Isle of Thanet continues to provide exciting
new archaeological discoveries. It was
unsurprising, therefore, that excavation by
the Canterbury Archaeological Trust in advance of
the first phase of a new roadside services at the
A253 Minster Roundabout revealed a wealth of
remains. Commissioned by 305 Management
Services on behalf of their clients Somerfield, the
Trust stripped topsoil from a 2 hectare area to
reveal funerary remains from the Bronze Age, Iron
Age and Roman periods, and an extensive and
long-lived Iron Age settlement.
Although earlier finds, including a polished
axe and hammer stones, were found, the earliest
feature exposed was a substantial Bronze Age
barrow which has been left for excavation during
a future phase of development. Aerial photographs
of the site, which lies close to one of the
highest points on Thanet, show this barrow is part
of a NE/SW alignment, following the slope of the
hill, with two further barrows lying to the east of
the site.
A single crouched inhumation, thought to be
of Early Bronze Age date, was found buried in a
shallow pit. The skeleton was in poor condition
but appears to be that of an adult. A jet bracelet
or armlet was recovered in situ along with an
amber bead, and a second bead fashioned from a
polished fossil sponge with an elephant tusk shell
placed through it.
In the northwest corner of the site, part of a
large Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age quarry pit
was found excavated into the chalk, probably to
retrieve flint. The fills within the quarry suggest
that it had been worked intermittently and silt
horizons containing pottery, animal bone and mussel
shells suggest a nearby settlement. A single
inhumation was found buried beneath the chalk
backfill in the pit.
By the Middle Iron Age the north-western
quarter of the site became a focus for settlement,
with the construction of a large sub-rectangular
ditched enclosure with internal dimensions varying
between 30m and 36m. The enclosure ditches
had been constructed in at least two phases and
greatly varied in depth. Provisional dating of the
pottery suggests a date of c.600 – 400/350 BC,
however, there are several phases and activity
within the enclosure may have extended to the
later part of this period.
A wide southern entrance led into an interior
packed with features, mainly pits and post-holes,
with the greatest concentration being on the eastern
side. A second entrance, later blocked, was
found on the northwest side. Just outside this
entrance was a pit in which a human skull and
other very fragmented bone had been placed.
Human bone was also found within the fills of the
enclosure ditches.
Two substantial buildings occupied the southern
half of the enclosure. In the south-western
corner a post-built rectangular structure, measuring
13m by 7.5m was found. Eaves drip gullies
drained into the enclosure ditch and there was
also some evidence for internal partitioning and
both external and internal flint surfacing.
The building in the south eastern corner of the
enclosure appears to be a sunken-floored struc-
T O T H I L L S T R E E T
TOP: The jet bracelet or armlet.
ABOVE: Polished axe found on the site.
Sum m er 2005 2
Towards the end of the Iron Age, a small inhumation
cemetery developed at the Tothill Street
end of the site, provisionally dated on the basis of
a single pottery vessel to between c.100 BC to AD
50. Eleven graves were excavated and it is expected
that the cemetery extended west and east outside
the limits of the excavation. It was noted that
a chalk ‘ridge’ formed the southern boundary, and
that ten of the graves were aligned perpendicular
to its line, while the eleventh was parallel to it.
This suggests that the ridge was a conspicuous
landscape feature in the Late Iron Age and formed
a boundary. Bone was well preserved in all of the
graves, and in one, larger than the rest, the outline
of a coffin and its iron nails could be distinguished.
This first phase of excavation at Tothill Street
has again demonstrated the rich archaeological
resource that lies buried on the Isle of Thanet and
suggests that many more important and exciting
discoveries will be made during later phases.
Adrian Gollop,
Canterbury ArchaeologicalTrust
Simon Mason,
Principal Archaeology Officer,
Heritage Conservation,
Kent County Council
pits and post-holes were found within it, no clear
building pattern could be identified.
Outside the enclosures, post-hole alignments
indicated further buildings and fence lines. In particular,
the partial remains of a ring ditch and post
structure, which encircled a flint surface containing
pottery, quern fragments and burnt stone, may
indicate an industrial area. Other features included
a range of pits containing refuse material,
including fragments of possible sword moulds.
T h ree small pits contained possible ‘placed’
deposits, including a copper alloy brooch, partial
deer skulls with antler still attached, and a nearcomplete
pottery vessel.
STACKS OF INFORMATION?
On the shelves in the corner of the Fire Escape alcove in the Kent Archaeological
Society Library is a floor-to-ceiling stack of note books, papers and documents,
to which no reference can currently be found in the index of the KAS Library collections.
The stack has accumulated mainly from material bequeathed to the Society by
long-since departed KAS members eminent in their time as historians, archaeologists
and antiquaries. One of our members, Sheila Wilson, has recently spent many a
Wednesday afternoon working her way through the collection, and has succeeded in
separating it out into a series of roughly defined categories, guided by provenance,
possible authorship and content, and within each category has provided a broad
description of items which comprise the category.
There are, for instance, a number of note books, photograph albums and boxes of
papers, of which Arthur Hussey was probably the author or compiler, covering diverse
topics such as the history of Meopham, Dover churches, and architectural features of
Kent churches. E.H.W. Dunkin has left some 20 exercise books touching on a wide
range of interests among which are Saxon charters, Pipe Rolls, Tithes, and Rochester
churches. Material emanating from the indefatigable Dr. Gordon Ward includes a
ledger on the Sun Fire Office, a book on ‘Constables of the Montfort Family’, material
on ‘The Hundred of Folkestone’, ‘Anglo-Saxon Dens’, and an ‘Analysis of the Domesday
Book relating to Kent’. From an unidentified author there are an assembly of 63 note
and exercise books in a series numbered up to 193, (the other 130 in this series, if they
exist, have yet to be found), mostly on architectural features of Kent churches. Other
items include a box of papers concerning KAS matters left by Livett; a History of
Addington by J.G.Madden; Jessop’s notes on Kent, and a number of note books written
by Leland Duncan. The authorship of another batch of two dozen exercise books on
a variety of subjects has not been determined, but it may be that Hardman had a hand
in some of them.
The question may be asked, is this stack of items worthy of further study? In the
first instance, these handwritten notes in cheap school note and exercise books were
probably mostly for research purposes, and may have formed the basis of still-available
printed books and articles. Then, too, what we are dealing with here is, in the
main, not direct source material, but other peoples’ notes and impressions of sources
existing at the time they were committed to paper. There may, however, be recorded,
within the material, information on places, events or people not used in print and for
which the original source no longer exists. It may be useful therefore to make present
day researchers aware of the fact that this stack of notes and papers is available, and
in any event it seems wrong to keep the material occupying space in an already over
crowded Library unless some reference can be made to it in the Library index.
Building on the work already done by Sheila Wilson, I am therefore intending to
invite the Volunteers who have now completed their excellent work on the Hussey
papers, to undertake a more detailed study of this material in order to reference it
appropriately in the Library index. More Volunteers are always welcome.
Frank Panton, Hon. Librarian.
Some notes on persons mentioned in the text.
Leland Lewis DUNCAN. KAS member from 1887, and prolific contributor to
Archaeologia Cantiana. Co-Author of Testamenta Cantiana 1906. D.1923.
Arthur HUSSEY. Vice-President, KAS 1927. D.1941. Co-Author with DUNCAN of
Testamenta Cantiana 1906.
F.W.HARDMAN. Council member, KAS, for many years. D.1941.
F.W.JESSUP. President, KAS, 1976-1982. Published many papers and books, notably
‘A History of Kent’ 1958. D.1990.
Rev. Canon G.M.LIVETT. Editor, Archaeologia Cantiana 1907-1914, Vice-President
KAS 1914. D.1951.
Dr. Gordon WARD. Member KAS 1927, Council 1931, Hon. Life Member 1954.
Author of many and varied contributions to Archaeologia Cantiana. D.1962.
Postscript
Since writing the above I have discovered an article in Arch. Cant. LXXXIII (1968),
which identifies the writer of the 63 notebooks mentioned in para 3 as V. J. Torr, a
monumental brass and church architecture expert, a contributor to Arch. Cant., who
died in 1965 and left his notebooks to the Society. The 1968 Arch. Cant. article indicates
the content of the notebooks, and this information will make the task of assimilating
them into the library catalogue that much easier.
ADDITIONS TO LIBRARY
FEBRUARY TO MAY 2005.
Archaeology in Vlaanderland VIII 2001/2002.
Norfolk Archaeology Vol.XLIV, P.III.
Materielshefte zur Archaeologie. Baden-Wurttemberg.
Monumental Brass Society Bulletin 98. Jan. 2005.
Surrey Archaeological Collections Vol.91. 2004.
Transactions of the Worcestershire Archaeological Society. 3rd Series Vol.19. 2004.
Thurnham Castle; Fact And Fiction. 1999. (Alan Ward).
Archives Vol.27 No.1. (Orpington and District).
Greater London Advisory Service Quarterly Review. Aug-Nov. 2004.
Fornvannen 2004/1. /2. /3. /4. (Journal of Swedish Research).
Jahrbuches Romisch-Germanischen Mainz. 50 Jahrgang. 2003.
Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society.Vol.54 2003.
Review of Archaeology in Hampshire. 1980-2000.
Shropshire History and Archaeology. Vol.LXXVIII. 2002.
Canterbury’s Archaeology. 2003-2004.
Snodland Paper Mill. (K.J.Funnell).
Surrey History. Vol.VII No1 2004.
L I B R A RY N O T E S
CONTINUEDON PAGE 4
3 Sum m er 2005
Ewell – Village That Became A Town. (Epson and Ewell Historical and
Archaeological Society).
Archaeometry Vol.47 P.1. Feb. 2004.
Bygone Kent Vol.26 No.3.
Facing the Palace. (Excavations at Fishbourne). Sussex Archaeological Society
Vol.141 2002.
Jarhschrifte fur Mitteldeutsche Vorgeschichte, Halle, Band 86, 87, 88.
Montgomeryshire Collection Vol.92, 2004.
Transactions of the Historic Society Lancashire and Cheshire. Vol.151, 2004.
A NEW VENTURE
- informal adult learning
RESEARCHING LOCAL HISTORY
with Dr. Jacqueline Bower
Enrol now!!! Only 20 places available.
The course will be held on Monday afternoons in the KAS library in Maidstone Museum. It will be
in 4 modules of 5 sessions each, priced at £20 per module. The sessions will commence at 2 p.m.
and finish at 4 p.m.
The course will cover a wide range of sources and include live online internet research.
Module 1 from 19 September 2005 for five weeks
The Victorian Community
How to use trade directories, census returns and a range of other sources, to research towns and
villages in Victorian Kent.
Module 2 from 31 October 2005 for five weeks
Reconstructing the Community
Using parish registers and other sources to reconstruct the population of a parish from the 16th
century to the 19th century.
Module 3 from 9 January 2006 for five weeks
Parish Affairs
Sources for local government in the 18th and early 19th centuries, especially the relief of the poor.
Module 4 from 20 February 2006 for five weeks
Life in Elizabethan and Stuart Kent
Using probate records and other sources to research work and living standards in the late 16th and
17th centuries. Plus guidance on reading old handwriting.
An enrolment form for the first module is included in this Newsletter.
CONTINUEDFROM PAGE 3 Flint Mines in Neolithic Britain. (Miles Russell).
Derbyshire Archaeological Journal No.125, 2005.
Life at the Sharp End. (St John’s Catholic Comprehensive School, Gravesend).
Whitstable remembered. (Tribute to Wallace Harvey).
Materiel Hefte zur Archaeologie. Hefte 65 Stuttgart 2005.
Books and pamphlets on finds and their recognition from Greenlight Press:
‘Buttons and Fasteners’, ‘Tokens and Tallies through the Ages’, ‘Benet’s Artefacts’,
‘Medieval English Groats’, ‘Reading Tidal Rivers’, ‘Reading Land’, ‘Reading Beaches’,
‘Pottery in Britain’.
Coins of England. 40th Edition 2005 Spink.
Consistory Court of Chancery. Index of Wills 1557-1887. (M.J.Cozens)
Sum m er 2005 4
demonstrate the team-work and professionalism
of Kent’s amateur archaeologists and metal detectorists,
something that Time Te a m were very
impressed with. The episode on Eastry will air
sometime between January to March next year.
Andrew Richardson
In early May Channel 4’s Time Team descended
on Eastry for one of their three-day excavations.
The aim was to explore Eastry’s Anglo-Saxon
origins, and in particular to see if any evidence of
the Villa Regales of the Kentish kings could be
located.
The focus of attention was a hill to the north
of Eastry on which the White Cliffs Metal
Detecting Club had found a number of early
Anglo-Saxon metal artefacts. Time Team also
investigated sites in and around Eastry Court,
whose origins as a Medieval manor house adjacent
to the church have led to the suggestion that
this was the site of the Villa Regales. In the event,
very little hard evidence of Anglo-Saxon activity
was located at the sites in the village. On the hill,
no burials or structures of Anglo-Saxon date were
located. However, a metal detector survey during
the course of filming produced a silver garnetinlaid
brooch fragment and D-shaped buckle loop
(both of 6th century date) and the head of a cruciform
brooch (late 5th century). On the summit of
the hill the base of a Medieval post-mill was
located. This was excavated by the Dover
Archaeological Group. The fill of this contained
the base of a 6th century glass cone beaker. Thus
the evidence for high status activity on this hill
during the 5th to early 7th centuries continues to
accrue.
Time Team’s visit to Eastry provided a useful
boost to our understanding of this import a n t
Kentish village, and was also an opportunity to
T I M E T E A MAT E A S T RY 3 rd to 5th May 2005
TOP: Andrew Richardson describes a
cruciform brooch found by a member of
the White Cliffs Metal Detecting Club to
Mick Aston.
ABOVE: The crossbars of the Medieval
post-mill showed clearly.
5 Sum m er 2005
KAS EVENTS
KAS Churches Committee Visit
Saturday 24 September.
You are invited to visit the two East Kent churches of Upper
Hardres and Stelling Minnis. We meet at 2pm at Upper
Hardres and at 3pm at Stelling Minnis. Tea and biscuits will be
provided at the last church. Tour £2 (Students £1) with tea
extra at £1.
Cheques in advance please, payable to Kent Archaeological
Society.
A booking slip for this visit is enclosed; it would be helpful if
return was made by 17 September.
KAS One-day Conference
Visualising Four Kentish Villages
Saturday 15 October 10.30am-4.30pm
Following the successful one-day conference last year, another
event has been organised to take place in the Church Barn
at Charing. ‘Visualising Four Kentish Villages’ will look at East
Peckham, Kemsing, Loose and Charing. Charge for the day,
including tea or coffee, is £5. A booking form for this event
appeared in the last Newsletter, so to book now please contact
Joy Saynor, Friars, 28 High Street, Shoreham, Sevenoaks TN14
7TD or email: saynor.shoreham@amserve.com
KAS History & Archaeology Show
Saturday 29 October, 10am – 4.30pm in Maidstone Museum
and Bentlif Art Gallery.
26 exhibitors plus KAS Committee exhibits. More details in
the October Newsletter.
KAS Christmas Lunch
Saturday 26 November. We are returning to the Great Hall
of Wye College in response to the popular request of those
who enjoyed this venue so much last year. Full details and
booking arrangements will appear in the October issue of the
Newsletter.
OTHER EVENTS FROM AROUND THE
COUNTY
TALKS
Public Lecture on Abbey Farm Villa, Minster, 21 July
7.45 – 9pm. By Keith Parfitt, excavation director.
A round-up of work done at this KAS–sponsored site. At St
George’s School, Westwood Road, Broadstairs. Cost £3.50 on
the door, £3 in advance. Info from Mrs V Robbins, Isle of
Thanet Archaeological Society, on 07906 360725.
Tonbridge Historical Society Lectures
15 September, 7.45pm
The End of the War – 1945 by Dr John Ray
27 October, 7.45pm
The Unusual River Crossing at Rochester by Paul Oldham
19 November, 2.30pm
Records of the Civil War by Michael Gandy
(2 sessions, with refreshments in between. Must be booked,
see below)
5 January 2006, 7.45pm
An Illustrated Walk around the Saxon Shore by Christopher
Wade
16 February 2006, 7.45pm
The Art & Architecture of Rochester Cathedral by Simon Bliss
6 April 2006, 7.30pm
AGM plus lecture (TBA)
All lectures are at the Adult Education Centre, Av e b u ry
Avenue, Tonbridge. For further details, and to book the 2 session
lecture, contact THS Secretary, Shiela Broomfield on
01732 838698 or mail to s.broomfield@dial.pipex.com.
C a n t e r b u ry Archaeological Trust 30th Anniversary
Lectures
Tim Ta t t o n - B rown, founding Director of Canterbury
Archaeological Trust and leading architectural historian and
freelance archaeologist.
The Building of Canterbury Cathedral ~ Archaeology and
Architectural History
Thursday 15 September
The Anglo-Saxon and Norman cathedrals, 597-1170
Thursday 6 October
The great Gothic rebuilding, 1174-1220
Thursday 3 November
The Perpendicular rebuilding 1350-1500
All lectures are in the Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 (GLT1),
University of Kent, Canterbury.
Suggested donation at the door: £3.00 for Friends of CAT, others
£5.00.
Organised by Friends of Canterbury Archaeological Trust in
association with Darwin College, University of Kent.
CONFERENCES
Council for Kentish Archaeology
Nelson and Trafalgar: Celebrating the 200th anniversary
of the battle of Trafalgar.
Saturday 5 November 2– 5.30pm at Canterbury Christ
Church University College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury.
Victory and the Road to Trafalgar by Richard Holdsworth,
Museum and Heritage Director, Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Nelson and the Trafalgar Campaign by Professor Richard
Harding, University of Westminster
What if Nelson had lost Trafalgar? By Andrew Saunders, leading
authority on Medieval and later fortifications.
Tickets £4.00 available from CKA, 7, Sandy Ridge, Borough
Green TN15 8HP. Cheque payable to CKA, please enclose SAE.
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Sum m er 2005 6
COURSES
Study for a Certificate in Archaeology!
If you are interested in archaeology, deepen your knowledge
and understanding of the subject through study on the
University of Kent’s well-established Certificate in
Archaeology. There are still a few places available for the
part-time evening certificate starting in September 2005 in
Canterbury.
Courses include an introduction to archaeological method, prehistoric
Britain, Roman Britain and Ancient Egypt.
No formal entry qualifications are necessary. You need
demonstrate only interest, enthusiasm and aptitude.
If you complete the Certificate you can then consider progressing
to a Diploma and Degree in Archaeological Studies
should you wish.
Why not ask for more information? Contact the Information
and Guidance Unit, The Registry, University of Kent,
C a n t e r b u ry CT2 7NZ, tel: 0800 9753777, email:
info@kent.ac.uk.
EVENTS
Heritage Open Days in England, 8 – 11 September
This 4-day event offers the chance to see inside many historic
buildings normally shut to the public. Further information can
be found at www.heritageopendays.org or telephone the Civic
Trust on 0870 240 5251.
London Open House, 17– 18 September
The capital’s equivalent of Heritage Open Days. A guide to
available buildings can be bought, from 20 August, by sending
an A4 self addressed envelope with a 60p stamp and cheque
for £3 (payable to London Open House) to L.O.H., PO Box
25361, London NW5 1GY. Visit www.londonopenhouse.org for
more information.
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK, Saturday 16 July to
Sunday 24 July. A nation-wide celebration of archaeology,
with hundreds of events taking place. A full listing is on
www.britarch.ac.uk; here are the Kent venues:
Archaeological Activities in a Roman Bathhouse, 16 &
17 July at Poverest Road, Orpington (entrance in Bellefield
Road).
A fun-filled weekend of activities for all the family, with guided
tours of the site. Info from Adrian Green on 01689 873826,
mail to bromley.museum@bromley.gov.uk.
Dartford Festival, 16 & 17 July, 1 – 5pm at Central Park,
Dartford..
Display of the recent excavations and finds discovered by
Dartford District Archaeological Group. Info from Chris Baker,
Dartford Borough Museum, on 01322 224739.
Find Out about the Romans, 17 July 10am – 5pm
Crofton Roman Villa, Crofton Road, Orpington. Guided talks on
the villa house, artefact handling, mosaic-making, Roman
games, dig for finds in the excavation box. Take the Villa
Discovery Trail for 6-11 year olds, with certificate.
Entry £1 per person. Children must be accompanied.
Info from Edna Mynott, on 020 8460 1442, mail to
CroftonVilla@aol.com.
Archaeology Roadshow at Lullingstone Roman Villa, 17
July from 11am.
Bring along your finds for identification by our experts. Info on
01322 863467.
Roman Festival at Richborough Fort, near Sandwich,
23 & 24 July, 11am – 5pm.
Watch combat and everyday life, including cookery, leatherwork
and a Roman surgeon. Adult £5.50, Child £2.70,
Concession £4.10. Info on 01304 612013.
Prehistory – life b4 txt, Sunday 24 July, 11am – 4.30pm
in the Museum of Kent Life, Sandling.
North Downs Young Archaeologists’ invite you to a family fun
day, focusing on prehistory. Carenza from Time Team speaking,
Living History groups, flintknapping, bronze axe-casting,
mini-excavation, artefacts of the period from Maidstone
Museum, lots of free activities for young & old including food
tasting & creative crafts, exhibition of local history & archaeology
groups.
Entry is free for all children 16 & under
(normally £4.50), adults £6.50.
Oare Gunpowder Works
After a long period of conservation, this
site is now open to the public free
of charge (8am – 5pm during the
week and 9am – 4pm at weekends).
Started by Huguenot immigrants from
Lyons in the 1680’s, the Works were
the main supplier to the East India
Company and the second most important
gunpowder site in Britain. Further
i n f o rmation on www. f a v e r s h a m . o rg /
history/oareworks.asp.
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7 Sum m er 2005
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
We are pleased to welcome the following new members:
JOINT MEMBERS
Andrews, Mr M, and Mrs, 62 Ashenden Walk, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3UN
Newport, Mr P J, and Mrs, 2 Longtail Rise, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5PZ
Spencer, Mr D C J, and Mrs, Five Oasts View, Gallants Lane, East Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 0LF
Spink, Mr P J, and Mrs, 55 Cornwallis Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 4ET
Wolton, Mrs D & Lintell, Mr M, 8 Oakford Road, London, NW5 1A
JUNIOR MEMBERS
Walton, Mr T J, 8 Alexandra Road, Kingsdown, Deal, Kent, CT14 8DS
White, Miss L C, 1 Croftside, Vigo, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0SH
ORDINARY MEMBERS
Barber, Ms E-R, Buxley Cottage, Lymbridge Green, Stowting, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6BL
Dane, Ms J, 38 Maudsley Road, Eltham, London, SE9 1LJ
Davidson, Mrs J, 7 Chatsworth Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1DS
Farmer, Mrs S, Enchante, Church Road, Hartley, Dartford, Kent, DA3 8DW
Gaunt, Ms B J, Penhall Cottage, Lamberhurst Road, Horsmonden, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 8LP
Green, Mr A, 63 Allington Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8AZ
Hooper, Sir Anthony, Lyddendone, Hastinglye, Ashford, Kent, TN25
Jones, QC, Mr A J, Hamden Farm, Smarden Road, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent, TN26 3HF
Keene, Mrs G, 24 Sharfleet Crescent, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8UQ
Lushington. Bt, Sir John, Kent House, Barrington, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 0JP
Monk, Mrs M, 46 Second Avenue, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 2HS
Reader, Mr T, 76 West View Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1T
Singleton, Mr A F, 8 Mount Pleasant, Talbot Road, Hawkhurst, Cranbrook, Kent, TN18 4ND
Stockdale, Mr N, 8 Foads Hill, Cliffsend, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 5EL
Tubby, Mr P W, Andelain, Woodchurch Road, Shadoxhurst, Ashford, Kent, TN26 1LF
Webb, Mr N C, 14 Ladywood Road, Cuxton, Rochester, Kent, ME2 1E
Weekes, Mr J, Horton Cottages, Ashford Road, Chartham, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 7HR
Wooding, Mrs H, Greystones, The Priory, East Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 0HA
Yeandle, Mrs L, 3200 Baker Circle, Adamstown, Maryland, 21710, USA
For all correspondence relating to membership please contact Mrs Shiela Broomfield,
KAS Membership, 8 Woodview Crescent, Hildenborough, Tonbridge TN11 9HD. Tel: 01732 838698.
Email: membership@kentarchaeology.org.uk or s.broomfield@dial.pipex.com
vation of the Roman villa at Minster in Thanet;
he later became a member, and then chairman,
of the Fieldwork Committee. He is also Treasurer
of the Trust for Thanet Archaeology and a director
and trustee of the Canterbury Archaeological
Trust Ltd.
The meeting took place on the 21st May at
Maidstone Town Hall and was attended by 59
members. The Officers, other than the President,
were re-elected and Dr Frank Panton was also
elected a Vice-President following the retirement
of Lawrence Lyle. Dr James Gibson and Dr
Andrew Richardson were elected to the Council
for the first time and Ted Connell, Ramon Higgs
and Alan Ward were re-elected.
A.G.M. ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
Christopher Pout, M.A. was elected President of
the Society following the retirement of Paul
Oldham after seven years in that office and thirty
years on the Council.
Chris, 62, is a chemist by profession and followed
a career with BP in which he moved from
research into management. When he retired
early he was able to devote time to his interest
in history and was awarded a first class honours
degree in archaeology by the University of Kent.
He joined the Society in 1996 and became
an active member when he took part in its exca-
Y O UA N DY O U R SOCIETY
COPY DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT
Following the formal business Philip
Lawrence described the work of the Churches
Committee, Lyn Palmer spoke about her
approach to editing the Society's Newsletter
and how its design might be improved and Ian
Coulson spoke on education and archaeology
including the Society's involvement through its
Education Committee and the education service
of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
In the afternoon members had an opportunity
to visit the Society's library in Maidstone
Museum where they were shown some of the
collections housed there and Paul Oldham
conducted some members on a tour of the
Town Hall.
Sum m er 2005 8
Sharp-eyed members will have spotted the error made on the back page of the last issue within the article ‘Recording Kent’s 20th Century Defences’. The caption
for the photograph of the anti-tank obstacle should have read ‘Chartham’, as written on the slide provided by KCC, and not ‘Chatham’.
The Editor
Another site at which more volunteers can be
taken exists at East Farleigh. Here, excavation of
a Roman building is being led by Albert Daniels,
with the Maidstone Area Archaeological Group.
Interest in participating here can be registered
with David Bacchus.
Chris Pout
Fieldwork Committee
Excavations will also resume at Ringlemere –
the Bronze Age gold cup site – in September 2005.
KAS members are warmly invited to join the team
of local volunteers, British Museum staff and
C a n t e r b u ry Archaeological Trust excavators. A
range of work is available including finds processing,
sieving and some good steady digging.
However, the site is isolated with few facilities
and it is always windy! Anyone interested in
assisting on this nationally important prehistoric
site should contact me on 01304 227000 (working
hours); 01304 852502 (weekends & evenings).
Keith Parfitt
CHURCHES COMMITTEE
On St George’s Day (23 April), a large group of
KAS members and their friends visited the churches
of Stone next Dartford and Southfleet. In both
places the company was welcomed and
addressed by the resident minister.
The Revd. Kenneth Clarke has only been rector of
St Mary’s, Stone, for a short time, but has a considerable
knowledge of this impressive building.
This fine example of late thirt e e n t h - c e n t u ry
Decorated Gothic architecture possesses many
notable and beautiful features, some of which
have been compared with what is to be found at
Westminster Abbey. There are also surviving
fragments of thirteenth- century wallpaintings,
including a mart y rdom of St Thomas of
Canterbury, which reflects the church’s proximity
to the pilgrim route.
St Nicholas, Southfleet is a lovely fourteenthcentury
Kentish church. Canon Clifford Goble,
who is soon to retire after a quarter of a century in
the parish, included many amusing personal anecdotes
in his talk. Points of interest here include
the brasses, Sedley tombs, a Jacobean pulpit and
a very fine fifteenth-century octagonal sculptured
font. Canon Goble had also thoughtfully put out
the church plate for inspection. A satisfying afternoon
was rounded off with tea and biscuits, again
administered by Canon Goble.
Paul Lee
KAS COMMITTEE
ROUND-UP
FIELDWORK COMMITTEE
New Fieldwork Opportunities
Recent work by a metal detectorist, in a farmed
field to the north of Ashford, has produced a number
of Roman-period coins. A brief further investigation
of the find spot revealed a pit containing
quantities of pottery, roof tile and some tesserae.
It is therefore thought possible that the field might
contain the remains of a previously unknown
Roman farmstead/villa.
The farmer appears to be keen on a more
detailed investigation and it is hoped that this
could be carried out by KAS volunteers (under professional
supervision). In the first instance, this
would involve a comprehensive field walking and
geophysical (resistivity) survey. If signs of a building
are confirmed, and it appears that the remains
are under threat of further destruction, then there
might be an opportunity, in 2006 and beyond, for
further excavation.
If agreement is obtained, the initial field survey
could be done after the field has been ploughed,
probably in August or early September this year.
Would you like to take part? If the project goes
ahead, the opportunity would arise for a dozen or
so KAS members to make up a team. Given a
dozen volunteers, the survey could probably be
completed in a few days, perhaps over a couple of
weekends.
If you would like to be involved in the possible
‘discovery’ of a new villa, would you please register
your interest by calling David Bacchus on
01634 843495, email bacchusdavid@yahoo.co.uk,
or Chris Pout on 01227 860207 (if not in, please
leave a message with your name, address and
telephone number and you will be contacted again
when there is further information).
A second opportunity may occur, for larger numbers
to take part in a more extensive ‘training
excavation’ at a site near Folkestone, where there
are substantial and important Saxon (7th century),
and possible Roman, remains. This site has been
the subject of pre l i m i n a ry investigation by
Canterbury Archaeological Trust, who have suggested
that excavation work could be done by
KAS volunteers and students at the University of
Kent. There may not be time to organise a project
for the late summer of this year, but, if not, 2006
is possible. Again, if you would be interested,
contact David Bacchus or Chris Pout.
ISSUE IS THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
St Mary’s, Stone, has a new and comprehensive
website about the church, past and present. It can
be found at www.stmarystone.org.
PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE
The Publications Committee met on 23 April
2005. Mr Paul Oldham had resigned from the
Committee thus reducing its membership. New
members are required and anyone interested in
serving, or knowing any such, should contact Dr
Gibson, the Secretary. The date of the History &
Archaeology Show was noted, and Committee
members volunteered to service the sale of surplus
book stock. Dr Thirsk reported that the
Hadlow Manorial Survey was at an advanced
stage, and that the introduction would be ready by
December. To mark the 150th anniversary of the
Society a larger issue of Archaeologia Cantiana
would be published in 2007; an annual Kent bibliography
would become a regular feature in the
journal. A CD of Kentish folksongs was on the list
of future publications. Four grants were approved
from the Kent History Fund. News was welcomed
that appointments were to be made to work on
two Kent volumes of the Victoria County History,
both on the lower Medway. And finally, the
Committee endorsed a proposal to go to the
Council that the Society establish, as from 2007, a
biennial prize to support publication of the best
doctoral thesis on a Kentish historical or archaeological
topic.
David Killingray
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Ian Coulson, Education Committee chairman,
gave a lively presentation to members at the
Society’s recent AGM in Maidstone. Beginning
with a review of archaeology and history in the
National Curriculum, Ian went on to speak of the
breadth of educational activity from committee
members such as Canterbury Archaeological Trust
(CAT Education Service), North Downs YAC, Dr
Frank Panton (KAS Library and website work) and
Ted Connell (KAS website projects in particular).
Ian then launched into a hands-on spree, distributing
finds from a CAT kit brought along by Marion
G reen to publicise a current project building
resource kits of original archaeological material
for 60 Kent schools. It had the desired effect, as
members chatted about their objects. It was Ian’s
commanding “Look at me when I’m talking to
you!” that brought them back into line!
Marion Green
9 Sum m er 2005
Thanet’s archaeology has been examined, excavated
and re c o rded by antiquarians and
archaeologists for over two hundred years.
The story of the Isle of Thanet is revealed by the
finds and buildings left by our ancestors, and in the
studies of these remains that give them meaning.
The Trust for Thanet Archaeology felt the need
for a museum, to provide for the collection, preservation,
study, interpretation and display of the
archaeology of Thanet, with easy access for anyone
wanting to study the material.
The Virtual Museum was opened on the
25th February 2005 and can be accessed
t h rough the Tru s t ’s website at
www.thanetarch.co.uk. The display of
finds and information held by the Trust for
Thanet Archaeology and Thanet
A rchaeological Society in a web-based
‘Virtual Museum’, is the first step in generating
a permanent and secure Museum for
Thanet’s Archaeology.
Introductions to the finds and sites of
each period are accompanied by images of
many of the most important finds. Although
many galleries have not yet opened fully, the
site is growing and the ‘Virtual Museum’ will
act as a co-ordinating centre, telling the
whole story of Thanet’s Archaeology.
Displays and presentations to the public will
provide a more immediate experience of the
artefacts, backed up by the information and
images in the Vi rtual Museum.
The Trust has developed
an education section on
the website, and
has resources and
The Hollingbourne Hoard, featured in issue 56
of the Newsletter, is now on temporary
display at Maidstone Museum. The hoard
consists of 32 pieces of Bronze Age metalwork
including axes, broken sword-parts, a spearhead
and bronze ingots.
The Museum has acquired the hoard through a
g e n e rous donation by the William and Edith
Oldham Charitable Trust, founded in memory of
the parents of Paul Oldham, newly-re t i re d
President of the Society. Amongst the Trust’s
aims are the promotion and development of the
study of archaeology and history of Kent; and the
acquisition, conservation, research and study of
artefacts in Maidstone Museum.
Do come and have a look at this wonderful 3000
year-old collection. The Museum is open from
10am – 5.15pm Monday to Saturday and from
11am – 4pm on Sunday.
H O L L I N G B O U R N E H O A R D
T H E T R U S T F O R T H A N E T
A R C H A E O L O G Y V I RT U A LM U S E U M
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
RIGHT: Just a few of the items within the
Hollingbourne Hoard now on display in
Maidstone Museum.
ABOVE: The Virtual Museum is the first
step in generating a permanent and
secure museum for Thanet’s Archaeology.
museum boxes available for schools. In May, the
Virtual Museum mounted ‘Timeline’, a successful
exhibition at Broadstairs Library in a space
normally used to display art works. It is hoped
that we can bring exhibitions and presentations
to many more unusual
spaces in the future.
Emma Boast
Sum m er 2005 10
paintings and stained glass. Sadly, many fine graffiti are being destroyed.
Clunch weathers easily and stone surfaces are constantly being scraped and
covered with whitewash. We are, thus, rapidly losing a unique and little
appreciated part of our heritage.
In order to gain some idea of the distribution and variety of graffiti, it is
necessary to look at a considerable number of buildings in the east and south
of England as well as in the Midlands.
Will you help with this survey? All that is needed is a seeing eye and
enquiring mind, a torch for dark corners, a feather duster for removing ageold
cobwebs, and pencil and paper for recording and rubbing (this last to be
undertaken with the greatest of care as it frequently destroys the outline of
graffiti). I have the backing of English Heritage, The National Trust, NADFAS,
Church authorities, county societies and many museums and art historians.
If you know of any graffiti or would like to help, please contact me at The
Chestnuts, Hacheston, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0DR, tel: 01728 747 293. All
enquiries are welcome.
Rosemary Bowden-Smith
Dear Editor
Ships, Signatures & Symbols ~ English Medieval Graffiti
For many years, I have been recording medieval incised and scratched
drawings – graffiti – found on the pillars and walls of our churches and secular
buildings. These are largely worked on the soft limestone – clunch –
used so extensively in the Midlands, Eastern and South-East England. They
vary in subject matter. There are the pictorial examples – fighting ships, a
reminder of our glorious naval past celebrated this year in ‘Sea Britain 2005’,
harps, ladies in elaborate headdresses, knights in armour, windmills, birds
and animals. There are also scraps of writing, signatures and dates and musical
notes. Less easy to understand are the symbols which, no doubt, had an
underlying heraldic and religious significance. These are a powerful reminder
of the importance of symbolism and imagery in the medieval world.
The drawings vary greatly in artistic ability. Some are mere casual scribbles;
others are works of art in their own right, artistically ranking with wall
L E T T E R S T O T H E E D I T O R S U M M E R 2 0 0 5
DO YOU RECOGNISE THIS SPOT?
This idyllic scene is one of many images held in the KASlibrary collection which have no provenance. Do you recognise the house or village?
If you do know the location of either please contact the editor at 55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QU
11 Sum m er 2005
wide-ranging, in both time and space.
Arriving in Charing 30 years ago,
Mrs Winzar was inspired by the ruins
of the Palace; she became the ‘temporary’
secretary for the Standing
Conference for Local History in Kent in
1974 and started the Local History
Journal in 1976. The Standing
Conference became the BALH, with
the County Commission for Kent
becoming the Kent History Federation,
of which Mrs Winzar is now the
President. “That’s what happens when
you volunteer…”. The annual oneday
conferences which Mrs Winzar
organised in her time as Secretary
have grown so successful today that it
is difficult to find halls big enough to
accommodate the enthusiastic audience;
the Kent History Federation has
some 30,000 historians within the
various local groups. Congratulations
to Mrs Winzar for her award and
her continued work with such a
successful group.
Historians from across Britain
recently witnessed an award of
‘Personal Achievement in Local
History’, made to Mrs Pat Winzar by the
British Association for Local History at
the Friends Meeting House, London on
4th June.
Mrs Winzar is well-known to those
interested in Kent’s past, and recognition
of her achievements by a nationwide
body such as the BALH is
admirable, her certificate stating ‘for
your distinguished contribution to local
history’. “The first I knew of it was a
phone call asking my permission to be
given the award!” she said. The award
was then sponsored by the eminent historians
Dr Joan Thirsk and Art h u r
Ruderman.
Although Mrs Winzar feels the nomination
for the award was probably
p rompted by her involvement and
action on the BBC’s ‘Restoration’ programme
about Charing Palace, her
commitment to local history has been
C H A N G ES
‘ D I S T I N G U I S H E DC O N T R I B U T I O N ’W I N SAWA R D
ABOVE: Some of the past covers showing the
evolution of the growth of picture size presentation.
Your Newsletter has had a change of image! Having been the editor for more than 3 years, I felt it
was time for a revamp. After showing some new designs at the AGM, the format you see today
proved to be the most popular with the assembled Members. As ever, I welcome comments and
suggestions.
With regard to content, I would particularly like to see more events advertised in the ‘What’s On’
section; if you belong to a local history/archaeology group, work for a venue that puts on events, or
just happen to hear of an interesting ‘happening’ nearby, do please let me know.
Lyn Palmer, editor
Sum m er 2005 12
Cinque Port. Virtually all the surviving medieval
buildings stand cheek by jowl in an area no more
than 1 km from east to west and 500m from north
to south and defined by the medieval town walls.
Apart from the three churches of St Clement, St
Mary and St Peter, all of which have some 12thcentury
stonework, buildings do not start to survive
before the late 13th century (Figure 1 above),
and there is nothing to indicate what, if anything,
had stood there before. And yet, documentary
sources indicate that there was a place called
Sandwich in Kent from the middle of the 7th century
when St Wilfrid landed there and called it a
port, and that in the Wantsum Channel near
Sandwich there was a frequently used anchorage
for English and Danish warships in the 10th and,
particularly, 11th centuries. In addition, the Old
English wic element in the place-name Sandwich
has been taken to mean that there was a trading
settlement there – Lundenwic (London), Hamwic
(Southampton) and Gipeswic (Ipswich) are often
cited as parallels – but the suffix wic has a multiplicity
of meanings, one of which is ‘a temporary
place of shelter for a ship and its crew’. This
may be the meaning implicit in the Sandwich
place-name: a haven with a shelving beach on
which shallow-draught vessels could be pulled
up, and possibly some form of temporary accommodation.
The question of where this pre - N o rm a n
Conquest port or wic lay has been a bone of contention
at least since the 18th century, and the
archaeological interventions that have been carried
out in the town within the walls since the
middle of the 20th century have done little to
answer it. There have, of course, been theories
about the location and form of the earliest town,
but until very recently there was no archaeological
evidence for pre-Norman Conquest occupation,
and even now it is rather problematic. For
example, excavations in St Peter’s Street in 2004
unearthed about 40 potsherds of local origin,
dating from c. AD 950-1050, but they appear to
have been redeposited from elsewhere (pers.
comm. K. Parfitt).
Even before the Sandwich Project had
begun, Helen Clarke suggested that a detailed
topographical study of the town and its
hinterland might help to locate earliest
Sandwich. Consequently, Keith Parfitt and Barry
Corke of C. A. T. Dover Office conducted a closecontour
survey of the town within the walls
(contours at 0.5m intervals) and its hinterland
Since October 2004 English Heritage has
been supporting The Sandwich Project, a
multi-disciplinary approach to the development
of Sandwich from its origins to 1600. The
idea for the project arose when Sarah Pearson, a
building historian and specialist in Kentish
medieval buildings, began to survey some of the
over 150 domestic buildings which survive in
Sandwich from before 1600 and which make it
a rguably the ‘completest medieval town in
England’. She soon realised that although the
buildings formed a unique historical re c o rd ,
reflecting trends in building construction, usage
and social status over more than three centuries,
their significance would be greatly enhanced if
they could be set in a wider context.
Thus, archaeologists, documentary historians,
geologists and many others have been
brought in to supplement the skills of the building
historian with their own particular specialisms.
All will collaborate in the three-year project, the
first fully integrated study of any historic small
town in England, and will publish their results in
a popular book designed for general readers,
with a more detailed scholarly report being submitted
to English Heritage. The Sandwich Project
has been designed to include research into the
hinterland of the town and port as well as its
‘historic core’, that is, the land occupied from the
11th century when Sandwich was designated a
S A N D W I C H B E F O R E T H E C I N Q U E P O RT
Initial findings of The Sandwich Pro j e c t
CONTINUEDON PAGE14
ABOVE: House in Strand Street tree-ring dated
to 1334 (Nottingham University Tree-Ring
Dating Laboratory, report is English Heritage,
Centre for Archaeology 97/2001)
fig. 1
13 Sum m er 2005
The beginning of May saw the start of construction of the
West Malling and Leybourne Bypass. Before this, excavations
for Kent County Council produced some exciting
results.
The new road crosses the ancient manors of Malling and
Leybourne, place-names that first appeared in a mid-10th century
charter. As well as Leybourne Castle, traces of post medieval fishponds,
mills and water systems still survive. In contrast, little was
known about earlier periods; and prehistory seemed to be missing.
An assessment and then an evaluation of the route, by
Canterbury Archaeological Trust and Archaeology South East,
began to reveal the first evidence for the prehistoric, Romano-
British and Anglo-Saxon periods. Drawing on the results of the
evaluation, seven excavations were undertaken by We s s e x
Archaeology in March and April. These began to reveal the hidden
history, and especially the prehistory, of the area.
The earliest finds were flint tools dating to the Mesolithic,
Neolithic and Bronze Age. These included an arrowhead and a
fragment of a tranchet axe and show that the landscape had been
lived in for thousands of years. These finds, and Neolithic and
(contours at 1m intervals; Figure 2).
From the subtle gradations of level revealed by these
maps, information taken from the Geological Survey soil map
(Fordham and Green 1973) and consultations with Stephen
Fuller of the newly formed Lydden Valley Research Group,
Helen Clarke has proposed a model for the location of
Sandwich before the Norman Conquest. The model diverges
radically from earlier views and proposes that there were at
least two harbours at Sandwich from the 7th to the 10th centuries,
neither of them being beneath the present town but on
a sand spit to the east, in the Archer’s Low and Sandown
areas where there may well have been a prehistoric and
Roman haven.
Between 1987 and 1991 the Dover Archaeological Group
undertook a limited amount of trenching at Archer’s Low,
revealing a substantial area of windblown sand with Iron Age
and Roman occupation material including many Iron Age
coins and potsherds, a high proportion of which were imports.
This has led Keith Parfitt to suggest that there was a haven
or landing place in this area from c. 100 BC – c. AD 425.
Roughly the same area may have continued in use in the Early
Saxon period, and the eastern tip of the sand spit could have
formed the sheltered haven (wic) at which St Wilfrid landed
in c. AD 665. This putative haven (Haven 1; now totally silted
through natural causes and human intervention in the Lydden
Valley; pers. comm. S. Fuller) was sheltered from the North
Sea by a shingle spit which was, and still is, in a constant
state of accretion through longshore drift. The spit now
extends northwards as far as Shell Ness, at the present
mouth of the Stour in Pegwell Bay.
Silting may have made this haven inaccessible, even to
the shallow-draught vessels of the time, leading to its
replacement by one further north, less sheltered but less likely
to become silted. The area of the suggested haven (Haven
2) stands at the north end of a trackway from Eastry, traditionally
a royal vill of the early Kentish kings; interestingly, it
is called ‘Old Haven’ on a map of Sandown drawn by Boycott
in 1615. There is a dearth of archaeological evidence for both
proposed havens, although two sherds of Ipswich ware have
been discovered in the vicinity of the second site (pers. comm.
K. Parfitt). Members of the Project are doing more fieldwork
in the area in an attempt to remedy this and to test the model
that is put forward here.
These suggestions for the earliest locations of Sandwich
are still tentative. Present thinking is that the site of the current
town was not occupied until the 9th or perhaps the 10th
century, by which time all three churches may have been
founded and there may have been a third haven (Haven 3) and
beach market west of St Peter’s church. The current quayside
(Haven 4) may not have come into existence until several centuries
later, when a change in ship types demanded deeper
water and easier access to the town.
CONTINUEDFROM PAGE13
RIGHT: Bronze Age
spearhead from Area
J; Iron Age sickle,
knife and
loomweights and
medieval buckle
from E2.
OPPOSITE : Excavating
one of the Iron Age
enclosure ditches in
Area A with the M20
in the background.
Both photographs by Elaine A. Wakefield © Wessex Archaeology Ltd.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
T H E ‘ M I S S I N G P R E H I S T O RY’ OF
Sum m er 2005 14
Bronze Age pottery, were scattered across most of the excavation
areas, showing a much higher level of early prehistoric activity
than was previously thought. Perhaps the most exciting find was
a Bronze Age spearhead, which was found by one of the local
metal detectorists who worked closely with the excavation team.
The most significant discoveries belonged to the Iron Age. In
Area A, there was a sequence of field and possible stock enclosures,
each approximately 50m square, which had been frequently
remodelled. Although no buildings were found, the quantity and
condition of the pottery, cattle bone and burnt stone indicate that
the settlement lay just outside the excavation and would not be
affected by the new road scheme.
In Area E2, a small enclosure, 35m by 45m, was discovered
dating to the Iron Age. This contained a wealth of evidence for
industrial activity, an impressive collection of triangular
loomweights, and tools including a sickle and a knife. The burial
of an infant was also found. As with Area A, the main focus of
the settlement lay outside the line of the road and in this
case, partly below the present A228. In both areas activity
continued into the early Romano-British period. An
Anglo-Saxon sunken-featured
building and a medieval
b o u n d a ry ditch were also
found in Area E2. Some discoveries
complement the bett
e r-known medieval sites,
notably a 13th century bakery
in Area B1 situated within a
medieval field system. In one
corner, the stone base of the
oven was still in place with a
thick spread of raked-out
ashes extending from it.
Work on the Assessment
is still in progress but
the initial results have
a l ready made a significant
addition to the history, and
especially the missing prehistory,
of the West Malling and
Leybourne area.
Andy Manning
Wessex Archaeology
The Sandwich Project is due to last for three years,
concluding in September 2007. This short article
illustrates what has begun to emerge from the collaborative
research involved in the project. It will be followed by
future updates, when the other participants will present fur-
LEFT: Fig. 2
Map of Sandwich’s
hinterland with
contours at 1 m
intervals, showing
postulated sites of
havens, churches of
St Clement (A), St
Peter (B),
St Mary (C),
St Bartholomew’s
Hospital (D) and
Carmelite Friary (E).
Drawn by Barry
Corke with
modifications by
Helen Clarke
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
W E S TM A L L I N GA N D L E Y B O U R N E
fig. 2
ther ideas and conclusions about the history and development
of the town and port.
Helen Clarke
The Sandwich Project
15 Sum m er 2005
found. Information is also given about the flora and
fauna of the Park. The footpath is inset with roundels
depicting long-extinct animals – a feature which children
will no doubt race along the trail to discover in
turn.
Professor Chris Stringer, of the Natural History
Museum, explained the significance of the artefacts to
the assembled guests, showing replica models of the
skull pieces (the originals are in the NHM). The opening
ceremony saw pupils from the adjacent Craylands
Primary School holding either end of a long red ribbon,
whilst Phil Harding, of Wessex Archaeology and Time
Team, sliced through it with a sharp worked flint – a
fitting tool for such a site! Dr Francis Wenban-Smith,
of Southampton University, produced a flintknapping
kit and created two handaxes for onlookers, whilst others
chose to explore the heritage trail on a guided
walk.
This is only the start of the process of making this
very important site more accessible and giving it the
profile it deserves.
For further information please contact Lis Dyson,
Heritage Conservation Group, Kent County Council, on
01622 221535 or lis.dyson@kent.gov.uk
Swanscombe Heritage Park, where the famous
Swanscombe Skull was discovered, is being
revitalised. On a gloriously hot morning in June,
representatives from many of the agencies involved
gathered to celebrate the opening of the extensive
on-site work, the first stage in improving the condition
of the site. These agencies, led by Swanscombe and
Greenhithe Town Council, worked together as the
Swanscombe Action Group, formed to renovate and
preserve the site as an important heritage location for
future generations. The current work has been delivered
by the environmental charity, Groundwork Kent
Thames-side, with advice on the history and importance
of the site provided by Kent County Council’s
Heritage Conservation Group, English Nature and a
team of international specialists.
The site has suffered from neglect in the past,
becoming a victim of vandalism and illegal dumping,
but it is hoped that the regeneration will make it a real
asset to the local community. Designated as a
National Nature Reserve (the first geological NNR) and
Site of Special Scientific Interest, it also has a very
special place within the history of archaeological
investigation. One of Europe’s most important archaeological
sites, it is well-known for its Lower
Palaeolithic remains found during the quarrying of
Barnfield Pit. Most famously amongst the remains are
the three pieces of skull, found independently of each
other over a period of twenty years, but which fit
together to reveal the cranium of an ancient female
hominid. At around 400,000 years old, these remains,
aside from those of Boxgrove, are the oldest in Britain
and have been assigned to a possible Neanderthal prec
u r s o r. Numerous tools, of the Clactonian and
Acheulian industries, have also emerged from the area.
The most prolific of these tools, the handaxe, has
been immortalised in an enormous, stunning sculpture
at the entrance of the Park. Once inside, the visitor follows
a trail of new interpretation boards explaining
what the site was like when these early hominids
lived, how the stratigraphy has built up to cover their
remains, and how and where the pieces of skull were
AWA L K I N T OH I S T O RY
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, The Museum, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME 14 1LH
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
EDITOR: LYN PALMER
55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QU
Telephone: 01892 533661 Mobile: 07810 340831
Email evelyn.palmer@virgin.net or newsletter@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Copy deadline for the next issue in October is Thursday September 1st.
The editor wishes to draw attention to the fact that neither she nor the Council of the KAS are answerable for opinions
which contributors may express in their signed articles; each author is alone responsible for the
contents and substance of their work.
ABOVE TOP: Guests at the opening follow the
Heritage Trail.
ABOVE BOTTOM: Phil Harding nears the end
of the trail, at the findspot of the first piece
of skull.
LEFT: Visitors to the Park are greeted by the
enormous handaxe sculpture.
Sum m er 2005 16