KAS Newsletter, Issue 73, Summer 2007
Written By KAS
nneeww ss ll ee tt tt ee rr Issue number 73 Summer 2007
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk
K A S S E S Q U I C E N T E N A R Y
Inside
2-3
Pepperhill Finds
4-5
1st One Day Conf.
Acrise Slave
Kent from Bronze Age
KASCelebrations
6-7
What’s On
8-9
Notice Board
10-11
CBALondon Group
DVD
12-13
Addington Barrow
14-15
KASExhibition
16
Allington Castle
AFTERLIFE
PROVISIONS
ON THE A2
1857 2007
BEER, BOAR AND
BO ARD G AME
K E N T A R C H A E O L O G I C A L S O C I E T Y
Over the last 9 months Oxford Archaeology
has been excavating along the new route
for Skanska UK Construction Ltd, who are
building the road for the Highways Agency. The
route crosses two chalk plateaux divided by a
dry valley at Tollgate, with another valley at
Downs Road to the west, and lies alongside the
Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), along which
excavation had revealed settlements of various
periods that were likely to continue into the
route. The approach to the archaeology agreed
was therefore to strip as much as possible of the
whole of the offline route in one go, providing a
transect nearly 3 km long and 50 m or more wide
across the landscape of North-West Kent. This
showed that the density of archaeological features
was even greater, and more continuous,
A R C H A E O L O G I C A L D I S C O V E R I E S
ON THE A 2 P E P P E R H I L L T O
C O B H A M W I D E N I N G S C H E M E
121
111
which the pots had sat.
To our surprise another burial enclosure lay
just outside the main enclosure, and this contained
another 7 or more burials, one of which
was almost as rich as the first (front page photo).
The square grave contained 15 pots including a
decorated Samian bowl, a bronze patera and
ewer, the bronze hinges and fittings for a folding
table or board, a copper-bound box containing
toilet instruments and a slate cosmetic mixing
palette, a brooch and a curious bossed copper
plate. A second cremation, sufficiently well-preserved
to suggest it was that of a woman, was
enclosed in a rectangular box marked by nails
and copper alloy fittings, and was accompanied
groups in early Roman Britain (figs 1 & 2). The
cremated bones lay on the pit floor, and adjacent
were the bronze handles of a gaming board and
23 glass counters, dark blue and white, while on
the other side was a large brooch and half a pig.
There were 3 bronze vessels, a large cauldron
with a handle for suspension (fig 4), a ewer or
jug and a patera (pan) used for libations.
Arranged around these were 18 pots, including
flagons for wine, a butt-beaker for beer, cups, a
jar or two and many dishes. Thirteen of the
dishes and small jars lay at one level halfway up
the grave, and below them in two lines were
rows of decorative bronze roundels with
central tacks and rectangular strips of decorated
sheet bronze, suggesting that these had
decorated the front of a table or stool on
than predicted from the CTRL results, and over
the 9 months of excavation settlements ranging
from the Bronze Age to the late medieval period
have been found, as well as tools from earlier
hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers.
This article concentrates on the later prehistoric
and Roman burials, which represent some
of the most significant archaeological discoveries.
During the Iron Age a cluster of enclosures
developed west of Tollgate, forming a nucleated
settlement 500m long. Houses were scarce, but
there were plenty of square four-post buildings
and storage pits; one surprise was a cobbled
trackway 6-8m wide crossing the site, a rare
instance of road construction before the Roman
period. The settlement also included both inhumation
and cremation burials in pits. Two of the
cremation burials, both found in the entrance to
an enclosure, were of people of high status, as
one contained four pots and four copper
brooches, two joined by a chain, possibly in an
iron-studded box, the other two pots and a
bronze-bound bucket with decorated plaques,
plus a high tin-bronze cylinder probably from a
drinking horn.
Beyond this settlement to the west a very
large boundary ditch was dug along the edge of
the plateau at Downs Road, perhaps laying a
stronger claim to territory. Fields ran from this
boundary down the valley side. Inhumation burials
were placed both at the end and adjacent to
a shaft in the base of the ditch within the Iron
Age, a practice that continued into the Roman
period, when a small cemetery grew alongside.
Most of the Roman dead were buried in coffins,
and several wore hobnailed boots. They can be
dated to 50-250 AD. The proximity of this small
rural cemetery to the larger burial ground at
Pepperhill just east of Springhead, where the
rite was mixed cremations and inhumations, provides
an interesting contrast.
The Iron Age settlement went out of use
soon after the Roman conquest, possibly when a
new rectangular enclosure (fig 3) was established
overlooking the Tollgate dry valley and the
new Roman road Watling Street. The south edge
of the enclosure had lain within the CTRL, and
had contained domestic and agricultural features;
the line of the A2 crossed the north end,
which contained the burials for the settlement.
The main enclosure was divided north-south,
and in the exposed eastern half the only internal
feature was a 2m square pit containing a cremation
accompanied by one of the largest grave
LEFT :
Artist’s reconstruction (2) of the grave group
shown above from the side view (1).
RIGHT:
Detail of a bronze vineleaf on the cauldron in
the grave group shown on page 2.
CONTINUEDON PAGE 4
141
131
The first of two conferences celebrating developments, in the last 50
years, in the knowledge of the history and archaeology of Kent, was
held at the Medway Campus of the University of Kent. This was a
joint event with the University and we are most grateful to Dr Anthony
Ward and Dr Steve Willis for making the event possible.
A group of about 70 members were treated to no fewer than eight
p resentations by some of our most distinguished historians and
archaeologists.
So far as our more ancient history was concerned, Steve Willis gave
a masterly overview of the current state of our knowledge of Roman Villas
in the county. Brian Philp gave a most interesting account of his work on
the Classis Britannica fort and the Painted House in Dover. He preceded
this account with some thought-provoking comments on the part now
‘Library Notes’ in Newsletter 72 referred to the indexing project now being
undertaken on the Faussett notebooks. More details can be found on the
kentarchaeology.org website. To show that this task is not merely a tedious
listing of names, occasionally a gem does come to light. An example is this
inscription found by Faussett in the churchyard at Acrise around 1757:-
‘Here lieth Nathaniel Johnson, of African extraction, born in Maryland,
sent young to the proprietor Saml Hyde Esq……… (diedof)…Consumption
28th January 1755’.
This inscription was made ‘on a wooden rail’ and Faussett’s visit was
clearly timely in that the rail cannot have survived for long afterwards.
Research has shown, in brief, that the Hydes were London merchants who
held a 9,000 acre tobacco plantation located roughly where the City of
Washington DC now stands. Some 120 negroes ‘with their progeny’ were
employed there. Samuel Hyde controlled a small fleet of ships operating
between Maryland/Virginia and London. He also acted as go-between in converting
the proceeds of a Maryland tobacco tax into guns and ammunition for
use against ‘the Indians’ – some of which seems instead to have been converted
to Samuel’s own use.
When he died in 1748 his property passed to his daughter, who had married
a member of the family of the Earls of Somerset, and who
continued to live in Knoyle House, Wiltshire, until her own death in January
1754. In her will she bequeathed a small annuity ‘to my black boy Nathaniel
Johnson’.
Shortly afterwards Nathaniel was moved to Acrise Court, home of the
Papillon family: David Papillon (MP) and Samuel Hyde had married two sisters.
Brian Cousins
played by professional archaeological units from outside the county,
bemoaning their lack of local knowledge of our county’s heritage.
Jon Iveson, also talking about Dover, brought us into the 19th century
with a detailed review of the Napoleonic defences (how many of us
realised that the main defences pointed inland?). Helen Glass covered the
widest area and the longest time period with her account of work preceding
the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Then there were most interesting contributions
on more recent historical periods from Andrew Hann, Steven
Hipkin and Michael Zell. Finally, our own Jim Gibson relayed the results
of his own researches on drama in the county in Medieval times.
Those attending the Conference agreed that it had been a really good
day. If the second Conference, on September 15th, is half as good, it will
be a day not to be missed. Book up soon!
FIRST ONE DAY CONFERENCE
A FREED SLAVE IN ACRISE 1755
by a glass unguent bottle, a complete mirror, a
knife with organic handle, a brooch, several
copper rings and five pots, mostly Gallic imports.
These burials appear to date between 50 and
80 AD.
The burial ground continued in use into the
2nd century, when two further cre m a t i o n s
including several vessels, one within a jar and
sealed by a Samian dish, were made.
Interestingly this latter grave had been backfilled
almost to the top of the jar before two
other small pots, one a flagon, were added. A
considerable gap may then have elapsed before
the cemetery was used for inhumations, as one
of these, buried in a coffin with three pots at the
waist and a pair of patterned hobnailed boots
laid upside down at the feet, had a mid-3rd century
coin to pay the ferryman in his/her mouth.
This inhumation was directly in line with the
main early Roman cremation burials, suggesting
that they had been marked, possibly by additional
pots that were found above the graves after
machine stripping.
The recent excavations have provided a variety
of burial groups of the Iron Age and Roman
periods, which together with the known cemeteries
at Springhead constitute a particularly rich
resource for study. The Early Roman burials have
transformed our view of the status of the Roman
enclosure at Tollgate, which in the 1st century
AD contained the graves of an important group
of wealthy individuals, possibly members of a
single family. The presence of high status Late
Iron Age burials on the adjacent settlement, one
which was abandoned at much the same time
that the Roman enclosure was constructed, suggests
the possibility of the emergence of a local
aristocratic family anxious to adopt Roman ways
after the conquest.
Tim Allen
CONTINUEDFROM PAGE 3
It is proposed to hold a Study Morning in the KAS Library from 10am to 1pm on
Saturday 27th October 2007 at which Officers and experienced members of the KAS
will give presentations designed to familiarise new members with the organisation,
activities and resources of the Society. Talks will include a short history of the
Society and its present administrative set-up; activities of the various committees
and groups; resources of the Library, including the Societies websites; artefacts and
finds, documentary, manuscript and visual record collections owned by the Society.
New and recently joined Members wishing to attend this meeting should apply to
D r. Frank Panton, tel: 01795 472218, email dr. f h . p a n t o n @ g ro v e - e n d -
tunstall.fsnet.co.uk.
INTRODUCTION TO KAS ORGANISATION, ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
A study morning for new and recently joined members
Early Anglo-Saxon Canterbury Paul Bennett
Parking is available and there is a bus service from
Canterbury bus station to the campus. The lecture theatre
is accessible by wheelchair. Tea and coffee will be provided
during morning and afternoon breaks but lunch is not
included. There are excellent picnic spots (including
indoors, if wet) for those bringing a packed lunch. Details
of alternative lunch facilities will be given with the booking
acknowledgement.
Cost £10 per person. Cheques in advance please, payable
to the Kent Archaeological Society, together with an s.a.e.
Send to Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh, 11 Caledon Terrace,
Canterbury CT1 3JS. A booking form is enclosed in this
Newsletter. It would be helpful if bookings could be made
before 31 August.
The second One-Day conference will be held in lecture
theatre Grimond 2 on the Canterbury Campus of the
University of Kent (not at Medway as in the previous
Newsletter). The day will start at 9.30am and finish at
5.30pm with a lunch break from 1.00-2.00pm
Programme:
Ringlemere Keith Parfitt
Iron Age Thanet Emma Boast
The KAS Excavation of the Abbey Farm Roman Villa
Steve Clifton
The Anglo-Saxon Jewellery of Kent Andrew Richardson
Medieval Sandwich Sarah Pearson
Resistance and Rebellion in Medieval Kent A n d re w
Butcher
Fishing and Fishermen in Medieval Kent S h e i l a
Sweetinburgh
In Volume I of Archaeologia Cantiana, there is an
account of the first Annual Meeting of the Society, held in
Canterbury on 30th July 1858. After the account of the
meeting itself, it is recorded that:-
‘At half past four the Dinner took place in the Music
Hall, St Margaret’s; three hundred and ten were accommo -
dated at the tables; above one hundred were disappointed
of seats, owing to their not having given timely notice of
their intentions to dine’.
(It is not made clear whether the ‘above one hundred’
did not dine at all or whether they had to eat standing!).
Well, on September 15th 2007, we will be returning to
Canterbury to celebrate our 150th Anniversary. With
thanks to the master, we will dine at Darwin College on the
Campus of the University of Kent. This time, there will only
be space to ‘accommodate at the tables’ a maximum of 150.
So, if you wish to avoid being ‘disappointed of a seat’, please
return the form enclosed with this Newsletter with your
cheque (payable to KAS) to the President as soon as possible.
Places will be allocated strictly on a first to arrive in the post,
first served, basis.
For your money you will get drinks at a pre-dinner reception,
a three course meal, coffee, mints etc and drinks with
the meal. The drinks with the meal will include wines from
various Kent vineyards. These are being donated by a member
of the Society. At the conclusion of the meal, the first
‘Hasted Prize’ will be presented (by the biographer of Hasted,
Shirley Burgoyne Black).
Since the Dinner will follow the One Day Conference, it
will be jacket and tie, rather than black tie.
KENT FROM THE BRONZE
AGE TO THE REFORMATION
A study conference sponsored jointly
by the Kent Archaeological Society and the University of Kent
Saturday 15 September, 2007
KAS SESQUICENTENNIAL
DINNER
KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE VISIT
Saturday 22 September
The Churches Committee invite you to visit the two east Kent churches of
Bekesbourne and Patrixbourne. We meet at Bekesbourne Church at 1.45
for 2pm and at about 3pm at Patrixbourne, where tea and biscuits will be
served.
Tour £2 (students £1). Tea and biscuits £1 extra.
Cheques in advance payable to the Kent Archaeological Society please. A
booking form for these visits is included in the Newsletter. It would be
helpful if your booking was made by Saturday 15 September.
CHURCHES COMMITTEE STUDY SESSION
Saturday 3 November
The Village Hall, East Peckham
A Study Session is being held entitled ‘A Parish Pump Revolution.’ The
talk, illustrations and role-playing given, or guided by, Dr Andrew Foster
of the University of Chichester deal with the local impact of the
Reformation and promises to be a novel and lively appraisal of how great
issues affected communities.
We meet at 1.45 for 2pm at the Village Hall, where there is ample parking.
The charge is £6 per person (including tea and biscuits) and early
booking is suggested because numbers are limited. Cheques payable to
KAS should be sent to Philip Lawrence at Barnfield, Church Lane, East
Peckham, Tonbridge TN12 5JJ by 10 October.
A booking form is included in this Newsletter.
The following local pubs serve meals – The Bush, Blackbird and Thrush;
The Man of Kent; The Bell; The Harp.
KAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONFERENCE
Saturday 20 October
Lenham Community Centre
Illustrated talks:
Hip to Hearth: an Examination of the Complexities of Buildings
Archaeology; Andrew Linklater (Canterbury Archaeological Trust)
The Window of Time: Dating by Detail; Charles Brooking (creator of the
Brooking Collection of architectural features)
Tracing the History of Buildings at the Centre for Kentish Studies.
Elizabeth Finn (Centre for Kentish Studies)
Followed by a short introduction to Kentish barns and a visit to
Lenham Barn.
The day starts at 9.30am for 10am and finishes at 4pm. Tickets are £8
each. A buffet lunch is available at a cost of £5 per person.
A booking form (to be returned by 6 October please) is included in this
Newsletter.
COURT LODGE BARN, Brook (near Ashford)
‘Queen of Kentish Barns’
Saturday 1 September at 2.30 pm
A talk for KAS members
Talk about crownpost buildings and tour by Alan Stevens, buildings
archaeology lecturer, formerly of the University of Kent. The barn has a
unique feature and houses the famous Agricultural Museum. Open to up
to 20 KAS members.
Cost is £2.00 each, plus £1.00 for tea and biscuits.
Apply to Dr Tom Hill, tel: 01227 730477; email: ta.hill@tiscali.co.uk.
W H AT ’ S ON > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > KAS EVENTS
Kent from the Bronze Age to the Reformation
KAS One-day Conference
Saturday 15 September
University of Kent at Canterbury
KAS Sesquicentennial Dinner
Saturday 15 September
University of Kent at Canterbury
Details of these two events can be found on page 5.
KAS COURSES in the LIBRARY
Geoarchaeology
With Dr Ed Jarzembowski
Wednesdays from 12 September, 2 – 4pm
This course follows on from the 10 sessions in the summer, but
anyone new will be able to fit in well. By popular request a more
in-depth look at geological applications to the past will include:
Typical fossils & rocks of the major Kent formations
Interpretations of past life & environment
Identification, especially bones & shells
Soils & clays
Flints & flintwork
Maps & sections
Plus practicals and some local field trips
Cost is £50 per person.
Kent and England under the Tudors
With Dr Jackie Bower
Mondays from 17 September, 10.15 -12.15am
A twenty-week class on the economy and society of sixteenth
century England. Topics will include population, famine and disease,
religion and the poor. There will be opportunities to look at
photocopied examples of original source material.
Cost is £80 per person.
Researching Local History
With Dr Jackie Bower
Mondays from 17 September, 2 – 4pm
Four modules of five weeks each, on the skills, techniques and
sources for researching local history. Each module will focus on a
different aspect of research. There will be practical work using
photocopied examples of original source material and opportunities
for participants to share and discuss their own research.
Cost is £80 per person.
Booking forms for these 3 courses are included in this Newsletter.
For more details email Joy Sage at joysage@tesco.net or tel:
01622 762924.
31 August – The Geese that Saved Rome
Stories at 11am & 2.30pm.
Every Wednesday in August
Costumes & Horrible Habits through the Ages
Find out about costume & horrible habits. Make a collage picture to
take home of an historic character.
Children must be accompanied at Pop-In Days. No booking needed.
Normal admission rates apply.
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK
14 – 22 July
For full details of events in Kent and the rest of the country, log on to
www.britarch.ac.uk.
CROFTON ROMAN VILLA, ORPINGTON
Sunday 15 July
10am – 5pm
Guided talk by a site archaeologist at 11am and 2.30pm
Children can join in the Roman Villa discovery hunt, win stickers, Villa
badges and a certificate. Mosaic making, Roman games, dressing up,
brass rubbing and an excavation tray. For 6-11 year olds.
Entry £1 per person. Children must be accompanied. No booking needed.
Further information on 020 8460 1442 or croftonromanvilla@btinternet.
com.
MAKING MEDIEVAL!
Shorne Wood Country Park
Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 July
10.30am – 4.30pm
A weekend of medieval living history with craftsmen, archers and cannons.
On Saturday only - guided tours to the current excavation of the
medieval Randall Manor, lots of activities for children including shield
making, creating pomanders, a ‘dig-it’ pit and brass rubbing. Display of
local history and archaeology groups in the Visitor Centre.
Entry and all activities are free!
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY
Saturday 14 July
Portable Antiques Scheme Workshop.
Archaeological illustration, children’s activities and finds recording and
identification. Suitable for all ages, young and old.
Drop in. Free.
Time Talk – Stone Age Kent
Monday 16 July
Talk by Angela Muthana. To celebrate National Archaeology week,
come along to our Time Talk lecture on the Stone Age.
Time Talk – Roman Artefacts in Britain
Wednesday 18 July
Talk by Ellen Swift, Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Kent. This talk
gives an overview of some recent research on Romano-British artefacts
and how it contributes to a wider understanding of Roman Britain.
OTHER EVENTS AROUND KENT
NAVY CONNECTIONS
Saturday 22 September
University of Greenwich at Medway (Chatham)
One Day Conference organised by the Kent Family History Society
(Medway Branch).
Programme:
09.45 Registration and Coffee
10.15 Introduction
10.30 The Ordinary and the Extraordinary (civil employees of the navy) Ian
Waller
11.30 The Navy Board Project (how to find ancestors buried in miscellaneous
correspondence) Susan Lumas FSG
12.30 LUNCH (buffet and refreshments included)
14.00 Royal Navy Ancestors (records of officers and ratings) Paul Blake
15.00 TEA.
15.30 Royal Marines Records (the navy’s soldiers) Lt. Col. C B Edwards
16.30 Conclusion
Conference cost is £27.50. For more details and to book please contact
Jean Skilling, 15 Port Close, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8DU.
FRIENDS OF CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST TALKS
Wednesday 19 September
Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Canterbury Alison Hicks
7pm at the Dominican Priory, St Peter’s Lane, Canterbury
Wednesday 21 November
The Kent Archaeological Society - the earlier years Paul Oldham
7pm at Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury.
Saturday 26 January 2008
Frank Jenkins Memorial Lecture. Paul Bennett (Director, CAT)
6pm at the Old Sessions House, Canterbury Christ Church University,
Longport, Canterbury (Joint lecture with the Canterbury Archaeological
Society).
Talks are all £2 for Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and £3
for non-members.
CBA South East ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AGM
‘UNDER THE PLOUGH; THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE TOPSOIL’
Saturday 10 November
Medway Campus of the University of Kent
Tickets £15 for CBA SE members, £17.50 non-members. Further details of
speakers and booking form are included on the conference flyer in this
Newsletter.
CROFTON ROMAN VILLA ‘POP-IN’ ACTIVITY DAYS
Every Friday in August
Ancient Heroes & Legends
3 August - Romulus, Remus & the Wolf
10 August – Hercules Holds up the Sky
17 August – King Midas & his Ass’s Ears
24 August – Pegasus, the Prince & the Monster
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
CONTINUEDON PAGE 10
and it is very important that a candidate is nominated before the
AGM as the Society cannot operate without a treasurer. If you have
suitable experience please give consideration to volunteering for this
important post which includes membership of the Council.
If you are interested in taking this position or would like more
information about it, then please contact Robin Thomas on 0207 680
8100, email abchurchyard1@btinternet.com or the Hon. General
S e c re t a ry, Andrew Moffat, on (01474) 822280, email
secretary@kentarchaeology.org.uk.
The Society will have to elect a new Hon. Treasurer at its AGM
next May as Robin Thomas will not seek re-election. Ideally a candidate
will be identified well before then so that he or she has a few
months of tuition, rather than be thrown in at the deep end.
At the moment we do not know of anyone interested in the office
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Thank you to all those of you who have now paid your subscriptions – there are still a few who have not renewed – please remember that if
these renewals are not received soon you will not be entitled to your copy of Archaeologia Cantiana. The 2007 volume promises to be a bumper
edition in celebration of the KAS’s 150th Anniversary.
Thank you for those interesting notes that you write on your renewal forms – they help to cheer me up while processing these in the depths
of winter!
At the Annual General Meeting in May it was agreed that the subscriptions are to be increased from January 2008 – the first increase since
2000 and still wonderful value compared with several other county societies.
The new rates are as follows: Ordinary membership £25; Joint membership £30; Affiliated Societies £25. There is no alteration to those claiming
the under 21 rate or the reduced rate if you have been a member for more than 10 years and are over state pension age.
If you pay by banker’s order please do not contact your bank – I shall be writing to you in the autumn with a form for you to return to me so
that I can manage the changes.
If you would like details of life membership please get in touch with a note of your date of birth.
Shiela Broomfield
The address for all correspondence relating to membership is:
Mrs Shiela Broomfield, KAS Membership, 8 Woodview Crescent, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9HD. Telephone 01732 838698.
Email: membership@kentarchaeology.org.uk or s.broomfield@dial.pipex.com.
We are pleased to welcome the following new members:
JOINT MEMBERS
Richardson, Mr R J, and Mrs, Kennington, Ashford, Kent
Saggers, Mr P J, and Mrs, Tonbridge, Kent
Wasserberg Mrs R & Gifford Mr S , St Michael’s, Tenterden, Kent
JUNIOR MEMBERS
Bentley, Miss S, Larkfield, Aylesford, Kent
Polczyk, Miss M, Maidstone, Kent
Saint, Miss H, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent
Saint, Mr T, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent
LIFE MEMBERS
Williams, Mr D A R, Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent
ORDINARY MEMBERS
Allen, Miss H J, Chatham, Kent
Demuth, Miss P, Hawkinge, Folkestone, Kent
Elliott, Mr S, East Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent
Kemp, Mr D, BSc(Hons), BDipPD, FRGS, MIHT, Tonbridge, Kent
King, Mr N, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent
Lambe, Mr P, Chislehurst, Kent
Nagler, Mr M J, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent
O’Brien, Ms R, Whitstable, Kent
Pitts, Mr R A, Ruscombe, Reading, Berkshire
Saint, Mrs H, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent
Staples, Mr M S, Hextable, Swanley, Kent
Y O U A N D Y O U R SOCIETY
WE NEED A TREASURER
COPY DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSU
The visit to Shoreham and Eynsford Castle
took place on 7 April 2007. Despite being
the Saturday of Easter weekend 38 people
booked, requiring two guides for the tour of
Shoreham. One group was taken around this
delightful village by committee member and
organiser of the outing, Joy Saynor. The wealth
of information that Joy was able to share, as a
local historian, expert on the buildings of
Shoreham, and former lecturer on the History of
Kent, was much appreciated. The other group
was guided by Sally Hofmann, author of a number
of publications on wartime Shoreham. In addition
to pointing out the buildings of interest, she was
able to provide an insight into the affects on the
village of the many bombs dropped on it during
World War II.
There was a great deal to see in this picturesque
village, with 32 listed buildings in the
High Street and Church Street conservation area
alone. The tour ended at the village hall, where a
splendid lunch was laid on. Everyone also
enjoyed the fascinating exhibition of old
photographs of the locality that had been
The trustees of the Allen Grove Local History Fund
(who are the officers of the Society) recently
awarded the following grants:
Brenchley & Matfield Local History Society: £250
t o w a rds producing a book of old photographs by
William Hodges and present day corresponding views.
Bridge & District History Society: £250 towards the
cost of publishing a short history of Bridge.
Gravesend Historical Society: £250 towards the
cost of reconstruction drawings of the Roman temple
p rojects which involve people in the re s e a rch,
p re s e rvation and enjoyment of local history.
Applications for the next grants must be received by the
Hon. General Secretary by 31 March 2008. Application
f o rms can be obtained from him (Three Elms,
Woodlands Lane, Shorne, Gravesend, DA12 3HH,
(01474) 822280, secre t a ry @ k e n t a rc h a e o l o g y. o rg.uk)
or downloaded from the web site at
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Grove app form for
web.pdf .
site at Springhead for a display board there and for a
revised edition of its book on the site.
H o rton Kirby & South Darenth Local History
Society: £150 towards a book on the railways in the district.
M a rden Society History Group: £250 toward s
equipment for a new heritage centre in its local library.
S m a rden Local History Society: £250 toward s
equipment for a new heritage centre in the village hall.
Grants may be made to individuals or societies for
Members attending the AGM at
Maidstone Town Hall on the 19th May
heard three presentations. The first
was by Dr Paul Cullen (editor of the English
Place-Name Society’s proposed books on Kent
place names and a member of the Society’s
Place-Names Committee) who spoke about the
history of the study in Kent and the work now
being done, before giving some examples.
Then Paul Cuming of the KCC’s Heritage
Jonathan Fryer and Debbie Goacher were
elected to the Council for the first time along
with Rod LeGear and Cliff Ward who were reelected.
Ted Connell and Robin Thomas were
elected new Vice Presidents and Dr John
Whyman was elected as a Patron. Thanks
were expressed to David Bachuus who retired
from the Council and Dr Christopher Chalklin
and Dr John Whyman who retired as Vice
Presidents.
Conservation Group described its ‘Exploring
Kent’s Past’ project which includes a new web
site devoted to the County’s history and an online
version of the Sites and Monuments
Record. Finally Lesley Feakes of the Lenham
Archaeological Society told members about
some of the work it had done and suggested
some ways the Society could help local groups.
The business part of the meeting included
the declaration of the results of elections.
displayed in the hall.
After lunch most of the party went on to
Eynsford Castle, which dates back to the 11th
century and is one of the earliest stone castles in
the countr y. Christopher Proudfoot, chairman of
the Committee, gave an introductory overview of
the history of the castle. His explanation of the
evolution of its layout was very helpful when
everyone wandered around the castle grounds.
One person raised concerns about the standard of
maintenance of the site, and this will be followed
up. However, all in all it was a grand day out!
Buoyed by the success of the outing, the
Committee intends to organise further visits to
places of particular interest.
Arrangements have now been finalised for
the Committee’s Historic Buildings Conference to
be held on 20th October 2007. (See What’s On for
more information)
Another activity that the Committee is considering
is the promotion of easier access to, and
understanding of, documentary resources on historic
buildings. As a first step, the Committee will
be looking into the feasibility of making some of
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ALLEN GROVE FUND GRANTS
KAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
these documents more readily available electronically,
and of arranging training in the interpretation
and use of such documentary evidence.
SSUE IS SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER
MUSEUM OF CANTERBURY
SKELETON PIT!
14 & 15 July
10.30am – 4pm
For children aged 5-12. Investigate a mock-up crime scene & learn some
practical archaeological & forensic skills. £3 per child. Tel: 01227 475204
to reserve a place.
DUNORLAN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS
DIGGING DEEP
14 July
11am – 4pm
Visit the Saxon camp to find out what they are eating, making &
wearing. Make a Saxon brooch and do the mini-dig. Bring along your
finds for ID. No booking required but all children must be accompanied.
More information on 01892 554171.
CENTRAL PARK, DARTFORD
21 & 22 July
1 – 4pm
Meet & speak to members of Dartford District Archaeological Group.
Display of the Group’s current dig & earlier work and examples of finds.
More information on 01322 224739.
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
6 – 9 September
Co-ordinated by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage,
HOD’s celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering
free access to properties usually closed to the public. From castles to
factories, tithe barns to town halls, visitors can enjoy a wide range of
tours, events and activities. The full range of venues will be online at
www.heritageopendays.org.uk from mid July.
Dr Mike Heyworth, director of the
CBA, has recently addressed the
question of the formation of a
regional group of the CBA for London. The
t rustees of the Council for British
Archaeology have agreed to this in principle.
At present CBA SE looks after London
south of the River Thames and CBA Mid
Anglia the remaining part, to the north of
the River Thames. The Standing
C o n f e rence on London Arc h a e o l o g y
(SCOLA) has existed for the past fifteen
years and has focussed its attention on
matters pertaining to the Greater London
Region with some success, although it is
now felt that a larger organisation would
have more clout with govern m e n t a l
departments etc. If a CBA London region
proves successful, SCOLA will be disbanded
so that it does not add to the number of
bodies operating in archaeology in
London. There are natural concerns about
the implications and CBA wishes to
assure all that the new group will work
particularly hard to enhance the work of
existing bodies to avoid duplication of
resources etc. CBA also proposes that the
existing county societies will each be able
to propose an individual to serve on the
CBA London trustee board.
Initially it is proposed that the CBA
London group will focus on three key
areas:
1: raising the profile of archaeology in
London
COUNCILFOR BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY 2: enhancing access to information about
archaeology in London
3: diversifying participation in archaeology
in London.
There will be plenty of opportunities
for those interested in promoting archaeology
in London to take part in the establishment
and running of the new Group.
Of course, there are still many issues
to be discussed and resolved with CBA SE,
CBA Mid-Anglia and SCOLA but it is
hoped that a steering committee will be
set up in the near future.
If you have any questions or comments
please get in touch with me.
Shiela Broomfield
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
CONTINUEDFROM PAGE 7
Time Talk – Early Anglo-Saxon Brooches in Southern England
Friday 20 July
Talk by Laura McLean, Finds Liaison Officer for Essex and Dr Andrew
Richardson, Finds Liaison Officer for Kent. The talk compares
brooches of the early Anglo-Saxon period, recorded by the Portable
Antiquities Scheme, the majority of which are metal detector finds. The
implications of the PAS records for our understanding of ethnic and
regional identities across southern England during the 5th to 7th
centuries AD will be considered.
All Time Talks start at 6.30pm. Ring 01622 602838 to reserve tickets.
Time Talks are suitable for 16yrs+. Cost £3 (£1.50 to Friends of
Maidstone Museum and the Centre of Kentish Studies).
Stone Age ‘Hands-On’ Station
Saturday 21 July
10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:30pm, drop in sessions. Come along to
handle and find out about museum artefacts. Suitable for all ages. FREE.
Conservation Craft Activity
Saturday 21 July
10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:30pm, drop in sessions. Come along to
recreate an archaeological find by piecing together a broken terracotta
pot. Suitable for all ages. Cost £2.
DOVER CASTLE
Tudor Falconry on 14 & 15 July
Medieval Falconry on 21 & 22 July
10am – 6pm
Magnificent birds of prey flying free against the backdrop of the Castle.
Further details tel: 01304 211067.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Window appears, click on EXIT), go to My
Computer, right click on D Drive, left click on
Open, and double click on the XXVIII file.
Volume XXVIII should open in Adobe Acrobat
Reader. You will then be able to navigate as
usual within Volume XXVIII or from Volume
XXVIII to any other volume. You will not be able
to return to Volume XXVIII, however, without
repeating the above steps. The Publications
Committee apologises for the inconvenience.
will then have access to all the Archaeologia
Cantiana files directly without having to use
the DVD each time.
ERRATA NOTICE
The bookmark for Volume XXVIII incorrectly
points to Volume XXXVIII. To access Volume
XXVIII, follow these directions: place the
DVD in the D Drive (if the Auto Start
All 500 copies of the Sesquicentennial
DVD containing volumes 1-125 of
A rchaeologia Cantiana have now
been sold. The Publications Committee has
placed a further order for 100 additional
copies of the DVD. If you missed out on the
pre-publication offer, you can still order your
copy at the amazing price of £30 for
individual members or £75 for institutional
members.
DELAYED REACTION
The reason for the apparent long delay in
posting out the DVDs was that the
Publications Committee decided to advertise
the offer in two successive issues of the
Newsletter, take pre-publication orders, and
then have the right number of copies made,
instead of placing a large order for DVDs and
then have unwanted copies left over. The
pre-publication offer ended on 1 March, the
first 500 copies were ordered, and DVDs
w e re posted to members during April.
Apologies to all people who thought their
orders had been lost, stolen, or otherwise
wilfully misappropriated.
TECHNICAL MATTERS
A few people have re p o rted pro b l e m s
accessing the data on their DVD. The
Society’s computer expert says there could
be many possible causes, but offers the following
general advice: “Find a computer
which will read the disk and by means of a
flash drive (4gb minimum) or a portable hard
drive transfer the contents of the DVD to the
portable drive. Then connect the portable
drive to the purchaser’s computer and copy
the information across to the computer’s
hard drive.” Even if you are not experiencing
any trouble accessing the information, it is a
good idea to copy the contents of the DVD to
your computer’s hard drive and keep the DVD
in a safe place with your other programme
disks. After you have successfully copied the
data to a folder on your hard drive, then open
the folder, right click on the file labelled
CD_Start.exe, and click on Create Shortcut.
Drag the shortcut file to your desktop. You
SESQUICENTENNIAL DVD A SELLOUT
l Celebrate the KAS Sesquicentennial with the
Sesquicentennial DVD containing volumes I-CXXV of
Archaeologia Cantiana at the amazingly low cost of £30 for
individual members and £75 for institutional members plus £1
postage and packaging.
l To order your copy, send a cheque, payable to Kent
Archaeological Society to James M. Gibson, 27 Pine Grove,
Maidstone, Kent ME14 2AJ.
ARCHAEOLOGIA
CANTIANA DVD
Chestnuts were the only megalithic monuments in the Medway valley
excavated using recognisable archaeological methods (Coldrum in
1910, 1922-23 and 1926; The Chestnuts in 1959). Our understanding
of the cultural landscape context of the Medway megaliths has, however,
changed radically in the last 10 years with the discovery of the
White Horse Stone timber long hall dated to the early 4th millennium
BC, the identification of a probable causewayed enclosure at Burham,
and the radiocarbon dating of the Coldrum human remains (Bayliss, A
et al forthcoming).
The investigation at Addington in May was prompted by the
appearance of a pothole and subsequent excavation of the area by
Kent Highways Service workmen. After discussions with English
Heritage and Kent Highways Service it was agreed that the approximately
2m by 1m by 0.8m deep hole should be archaeologically
recorded and sampled prior to backfilling. It was decided to organise
this work as an early component of the Valley of Visions HLF project
(see next newsletter), under the direction of Paul Garwood, Lecturer
in Prehistory at the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity (IAA),
University of Birmingham. A team of volunteers was then very quickly
put together by Kent County Council Heritage Conservation.
The sections of the hole were carefully cleaned and recorded, the
entire spoil heap from the Highways excavation was sieved, and the
trench was inspected by Matt Canti (soil specialist, English Heritage),
Peter Allen (sedimentologist) and Andrew Haggart (pollen specialist,
University of Greenwich). Samples were taken for geochemical analysis.
The trench location was tied in to the rest of the monument and
the OS grid by a survey team from the Trust for Thanet Archaeology.
The position of the trench in relation to the rest of the monument
and the sediments recorded in the sections suggest that the sarsen
stone revealed in the excavation is not in situ, and that the trench cut
through deposits resulting from the erosion of the mound. Over 100
pieces of worked flint were recovered, mainly from the spoil heap but
several were also found in situ during section cleaning.
Over the next few months the finds and samples will be analysed
The Medway megaliths, which occur in two groups some 9km
apart on each side of the river Medway, are the only megalithic
long barrows in England east of the Berkshire Downs. Despite
being the most oft-cited examples of classic Early Neolithic monuments
in Kent, very little is known about them, and they have been
the focus of very little recent archaeological work. In this wider context
an exceptional opportunity to investigate one of the monuments
arose in May this year, in response to serious subsidence in the road
that crosses Addington long barrow.
The Medway megalithic monuments consist of earthen long
mounds of various shapes and sizes, incorporating chambers and
sometimes revetments or peristaliths built of local sarsen stone. In
some cases these comprise relatively well-preserved architectural
structures, other monuments are more damaged and less visible, and
there are a number of possible but unproven examples. Little is
known about the precise dating or use of most of these structures.
The most recent assessments of the Medway megaliths, by Paul
Ashbee, were published in Archaeologia Cantiana in 1993 and 2000.
The western monument group includes Coldrum chambere d
tomb, and The Chestnuts and Addington sites c.2km to the south.
Until the most recent work was carried out, Coldrum and The
ADDINGTON LO
and the work will be reported in full, hopefully in Archaeologia
Cantiana, as soon as possible. Particular thanks are due to Mrs
Bygraves for reporting the initial attempts to repair the pothole, to
Gerald Cramp (Fawkham and Ash group), James Elford, Trevor Bent
and Peter Spink who helped on site over long hours on a wet bank
holiday weekend, to Lyn Palmer for helping to contact volunteers, to
Kent Highways Service for keeping the road closed to allow the
recording to take place, and to Judith Roebuck of English Heritage for
expediting scheduled monument consent.
Lis Dyson, KCC Heritage Conservation
and Paul Garwood, IAA, University of Birmingham
LONG BARROW
LEFT: Newly discovered sarsen stone in western section of trench.
BELOW: View to the south west showing stones from the peristalith on the
north western side of the long barrow
This special exhibition, within the Bentlif Gallery at Maidstone
Museum, opened to the public on 12th May and has already
been visited by substantial numbers of people. The exhibition
has been funded by the Society, with the help of a generous grant
from the Heritage Lottery Fund and major ‘contribution in kind’ from
the Museum staff and Maidstone Council.
The ‘Hidden Treasures’ on display are finds from archaeological
investigations in Kent, over more than 200 years. For the most part,
they are finds which have not been on display within the county –
indeed, they have not been on display anywhere, since the time that
they were found.
Included in the display are a collection of flint tools from
Swanscombe, probably made as much as 400,000 years ago and
loaned to the Exhibition from museums in Manchester and Leeds. In
the same case are other flint tools from the Mesolithic and Neolithic
periods (fig 1).
From the Bronze Age come two collections of tools and weapons,
both found at coastal settlement sites which are now only accessible
at low tide. One of these is the ‘Beck Hoard’, in the British Museum
since 1953. This has a most poignant story behind it, having been
found by the 14-year old James Beck in 1938, only a short while
before he was taken ill and died (fig 2).
A display of Iron Age materials from Bigbury Hillfort, in
Manchester since the 1890’s, includes a unique six-man slave chain.
This is an amazing survival and it complements the two other slave
chain pieces already at Maidstone. Together they make up more than
half of such items ever found in Britain.
The Roman period finds include pieces from the Quadrifons Arch
at Richborough, a monument the interpretation of which owes so
much to the expertise of the late Tom Blagg.
But the real ‘gem’ of the whole display is the collection of
THE HIDDEN TREA
121
111
jewellery and other pieces from the Anglo Saxon period. On show for
the first time is the well-preserved ‘Coptic’ bowl discovered during
work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Also for the first time, is displayed
a collection of Anglo-Saxon brooches – no fewer than 47 of
them (fig 3). They were all made in Kent and show the development
of the particularly Kentish style of such jewellery over a period of perhaps
300 years. At the heart of the collection are the brooches found
by Bryan Fausset in the mid 1700’s and stored in Liverpool Museum
since 1853. None of them has been back to Kent since then. These
Liverpool pieces are supplemented by others from Leeds, Saffron
Waldron, The Ashmolean in Oxford, the British Museum and some
more local collections.
The Exhibition runs until the 9th September this year.
EASURES OF KENT
131
131 131
131
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery, 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: 07920 548906
Email evelyn.palmer@virgin.net or newsletter@kentarchaeology.org.uk
Copy deadline for the next issue in October is Saturday 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.
MAINPICTURE:
Guests leaving the castle after one of three
guided tours. (photo: Andrew Harwood Sky)
ABOVE LEFT:
The anniversary cake with the Society’s logo
and significant dates. (photo: Chris Broomfield)
ABOVE RIGHT:
The Southern Raggajazz Band entertain guests.
The Society celebrated its 150th anniversary in style at Allington Castle
one afternoon in May. The event had a ‘20’s theme, and costumed
guests were welcomed into the marquee on the lawn by the Southern
Raggajazz Band, who played
throughout the afternoon.
Guided tours of the Castle,
which is privately-owned and
not normally open to the public,
were given by owner Sir Robert
Wo rc e s t e r. His knowledge
gave KAS members a special
insight into this beautiful place
and our thanks go to him for
his hospitality. Wa n d e r i n g
amongst the grounds, guests also saw the oldest dovecote in Britain, the
Italianate garden and the nesting swans, who seemed unperturbed by the
music and conversation.
Tea was served at 4
o’clock and was delicious. The
KAS anniversary cake was so
l a rge that even 70 guests
couldn’t manage all of it!
This was a delightful
afternoon in the most peaceful
and charming of settings – a
celebration that will be
remembered by KAS members
for many years to come.
DIDN’T WE HAVE
A LOVELY TIME ...