THE OLDEST AND LARGEST SOCIETY DEVOTED TO THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ANCIENT COUNTY OF ISSUE 101 - SPRING 2015 www.kentarchaeology.org.uk

CONCRETE SOUND MIRRORS UNCOVERED at Fan Hole

MAAG Excavation Dampier’s Book Pegwell Bay Historic Photos From the President

ISSUE 101 - SPRING 2015 Welcome to the first of our two newsletters for 2015. The response to the new format autumn newsletter has been excellent and we President: hope to repeat the same extended format this autumn. In the Ian Coulson meantime this edition covers the annual programme for the [email protected] Society for 2015 and we hope you find it useful to plan your year. Once again we are working in partnership with several Hon. General Secretary: organizations, Archaeological Trust and KCC, to provide Peter Stutchbury training excavations for our members and the public. We are also [email protected] running several conferences with Christ Church University, the University of Kent, University of Reading, Thanet Trust for Assistant Hon. General Secretary: Archaeology, Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit and others! This Kate Kersey allows us to share costs and publicity whilst coordinating some of [email protected] the work across the county and getting everyone together. Thank you to all the KAS members who make these events possible. Hon. Membership Secretary: We have also increased the KAS publicity in the press and Shiela Broomfield elsewhere through the work of Paul Tritton. Lyn Palmer continues [email protected] to edit the newsletter and of course Terry Lawson is editor of Archaeologia Cantiana, our highly regarded research journal. Hon. Treasurer: Thank you. Barrie Beeching [email protected] In the coming year we hope to keep up the development of our website so we can all keep in touch online. If at any stage you feel Hon. Editor: you would like to join the Council or offer your services, such as to Terry G. Lawson help run conferences, please get in touch with the Hon. Sec. [email protected] Remember - you can always join one of our committees if you have a specialist interest. Most recently we have established a Hon. Librarian: Historic Defences Committee and a group specializing in Romney Pernille Richards Marsh and the Kent coast. [email protected] Enjoy the coming year. Hon. Curator: Dr Andrew Richardson Ian Coulson, President [email protected]

Research: Ted Connell [email protected]

Press: Paul Tritton [email protected] KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY KAS Library Newsletter: Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery Lyn Palmer St Faith’s Street [email protected] Maidstone ME14 1LH

The oldest and largest society devoted to the history and archaeology of the ancient county of Kent

2 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk ON THE FRONT COVER Aerial photos by Geoff Hall and Paul Brooker Page 4 In this issue

Fan Hole shelters 4

MAAG Excavation 6

Pegwell Bay 7

What’s On 8, 9, 10, 11 6 You and Your Society 12 - 13

Historic Defence Committee 12 - 13

New Books 12 - 13

Dampier’s book 14 - 15

Historic aerial photographs 16 12

14

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 3 A World War II Deep Shelter and Two Concrete Sound Mirrors uncovered at Fan Hole near St Margaret’s at Cliffe By Richard Hoskins, Dover Archaeological Group In 2012 the National Trust, following an appeal, purchased the remaining section of the White Cliffs between Dover and St Margaret’s. The purchase included the site of a system of World War II tunnels known as the Fan Hole Deep Shelter together with two early 20th century concrete sound mirrors – acoustic listening devices that pre-date the invention of radar. The entire complex had been buried in the 1970s as ‘an eyesore’.

The Site some is the work of more recent The South Sound Mirror is The site is now an important intruders (Champion, M.J. believed to date to the mid part of UK conflict archaeology 2014). 1920s; its shallower dish, which and is unique because the two In May 2014 the Dover would have had a greater range sound mirrors were located Archaeological Group (DAG) than the earlier mirror, was also alongside the entrances of the was invited to carry out a short intact although its upper edge deep shelter tunnels. The deep excavation in which the precise had been damaged prior to its shelter was built in World War position of the two sound burial. A triangular concrete II to provide accommodation mirrors was located. Between apron on the slope above this for the crew of 185 men and 4 6th and 30th October 2014 mirror, which is believed to officers during hostile members of DAG returned to have served to prevent water bombardments. Its main carry out a watching brief from seeping behind it, was also entrance is at the top of the during the machine bulk found in a damaged condition. escarpment, through a steep reduction of soil deposits Although the South Sound staircase of 126 concrete steps covering the sound mirrors and Mirror is shallower than its which lead to the system of lower tunnel entrances. With northern companion the dished tunnels below. The clearance of immense skill, the machine areas of the two mirrors are the rubble infill from the operatives removed around 600 similar and both measure entrance stairway was carried tonnes of mixed chalk and soil around 4.6m (15 feet) in out by members of the Kent from the 45 degree slope of Fan diameter. Underground Research Group Hole and the areas in front of By World War II the sound between October and the two sound mirrors. The mirrors had become obsolete November 2013. This was North Sound Mirror, built in but were used as convenient followed by the repair of 1917, and one of the earliest in locations for the lower unlined ceilings and existence, was found to be intact entrances to the two tunnels of replacement of the missing apart from some damage to its the newly-built deep shelter. wooden structural supports northern edge which is believed The tunnel entrance beside the which had rotted after 70 years to have occurred during the South Sound Mirror was of exposure to dampness. digging of the adjacent tunnel opened during the recent Distributed throughout the entrance in 1940/41. Its excavations but the entrance to tunnels is a wide range of smooth concrete surface is the northern tunnel has not yet graffiti, mainly incised into the slightly ‘crazed’ by a network of been completely cleared. A chalk or written in pencil on narrow cracks although these are brick-built blast wall, the steel tunnel linings. Much also visible on a photograph approximately 2.5m high, was of this dates to the period of taken around 1975, shortly built in front of each of the two military occupation although before the complex was buried. tunnel entrances and partly

4 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk overlapping the front of the sound mirrors. These were to protect the tunnels from the shockwave of any explosion immediately outside and in front of them. Also in front of each of the sound mirrors is a brick-built latrine block, that at the northern mirror providing facilities for the officers serving inside the deep shelter and the one at the south for the other ABOVE Looking down the Lower Staircase ranks. The blast walls and latrine blocks at both locations were uncovered during the excavation and The National Trust plans to although damaged were found to be open the complex to guided, in adequate condition for ABOVE Clearing spoil in front of the sound torch-lit tours in May 2015 conservation. mirrors and is looking for around 70 volunteer tour guides to help in this.

If any KAS members are interested in helping please call Jon Barker at the National Trust on 01304 200004 or email Jon. [email protected]

ABOVE Carved chalk head in the Deep Shelter RIGHT Final Landscaping - South Sound Mirror in the foregound

BELOW Aerial veiw of completed project BELOW Scraffiti inside the South Tunnel

References: Champion, M.J (2014) Graffiti Survey, Fan Bay Battery Deep Shelter: Analysis and Interpretation (Unpublished report commissioned by the National Trust). BatteryFan Bay Analysis and Interpretation (Unpublished reportby the National Deep Shelter: commissioned Survey, M.J (2014) Graffiti References: Champion, Trust) Reportthe National Dover (Archive held by at Cliffe, Margaret’s St. Hole Deep Shelter and Sound Mirrors, brief at Fan Watching (2015) Report on a R. Hoskins,

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 5 Excavations at RIGHT View of west Oaklands, Lower trench, looking Road, East Farleigh, south Maidstone, 2014

During 2014 fieldwork by the Maidstone Area Archaeological Group concentrated on excavating sections of the Iron Age and Roman ditches which underlay the Roman buildings on the site. The ditches were dug parallel to each other and 6 meters apart. The Iron Age ditch had been RIGHT Iron Age shown to exist in trial pits ditch, east face further east, dug in previous years. The 2014 section showed that the bottom 1.2 meters of the ditch had been dug into solid ragstone. The ditch had silted up and had been covered by the 3rd century Roman land surface, which in turn had been covered by 800mm of hill wash. The dismembered rear end of a cow was wedged in the lower RIGHT Roman ditch, half of the ditch. west face The Roman ditch was 2.4 meters deep at this section, deepening to 3 meters at a second section which was dug 20 meters to the east (not illustrated). The primary fill of the ditch in the east trial pit contained a small Patch Grove pot 85mm high. This ditch appears to have been dug in the 1st century and backfilled in the late 2nd century (pot and coin evidence). The ditch showed signs of having been recut at least once. The early 3rd century buildings were built over, and into, the filled-in ditches. At a depth of 3 meters the Roman ditch may seem a little deep for a drainage or boundary ditch, leaving the possibility that it was defending a Simplified Ditch Section at 130E settlement predating the 3rd century buildings.

6 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Around Pegwell Bay RIGHT Anglo- - a special area Saxon graves, one with six post holes Gordon Taylor, Isle of Thanet for a canopy or Archaeological Society roof (within annular ditch) It is becoming increasingly evident that the area on the south-western outskirts of Ramsgate is, for archaeology, very special. It includes Lord of the Manor (see below) and Pegwell, a 2007 dig by emphasis). Also “Later Bronze Age earlier results. Two new ditches were the Trust for Thanet Archaeology (TTA), activity was mainly focussed on the discovered (one of them suspected from which revealed a likely Neolithic Ebbsfleet peninsula and on the slopes of crop marks). Finds included two flint causewayed enclosure. Nearby, the Cottington Hill. A particularly fine arrow heads, a flint knife, a sherd of Iron Ramsgate Harbour Approach Road discovery, found on the Ebbsfleet Age pottery and a piece of a Roman Tunnel dig in 1996 revealed another peninsula, was two gold bracelets dating amphora. A report is available from the enclosure with three circuits, the outer to around 800 – 700BC.” Society, email [email protected] being 150 metres across, and a possible Finally, excavations during 2004/5 by In 2013 a training exercise under Paul cursus. Back in 1990 Perkins wrote of Wessex Archaeology before a housing Hart took place, to reinvestigate LOM4 Cottington Hill, Ebbsfleet “the land development at Cliffsend Farm revealed a and the site of a previously found surface of the hill proved to be littered multi-period site full of interesting finds, Accessory Vessel or Incense Cup, now at with worked flints [Neolithic onwards] including a burial pit described as Quex House, Birchington. Half of LOM4 and pot-sherds in a density unknown “unique in Europe” where human is under tarmac (old Haine Road) and elsewhere in Thanet”; this from the skeletons were laid on animal skeletons. partly under a field access road. Trainees Thanet expert who once stated “you are All of these discoveries give weight to (IOTAS members) excavated to the never more than 35 metres from Keith Parfitt’s comparison of Kent with original sections, recorded them and then archaeology in Thanet”.¹ Wessex². All of the above finds sit within extended the cut as far as the area In a report on the East Kent Access an area just over 2 kilometres permitted. This revealed that both areas square – at least a quarter of had been recut in the lower third of infill. which is under the sea at Possibly fresh material was required to Pegwell Bay or would once freshen up the presumed mound due to a have been in the Wantsum further burial. The ditches were irregular Channel. and if extended in a circle would not For almost 40 years the meet..! Finds were mostly of worked flint, phrases ‘Lord of the Manor’ including one piece of Early Neolithic and ‘Thanet Archaeology’ pottery (part of the primary infill). Finally, have been synonymous. Lord Anglo-Saxon graves south of LOM 5 were of the Manor (named after a re-examined, some of which had post holes former pub at the adjacent (six in the grave encircled by the ditch) for much-altered road junction a canopy or some other covering (above). of the A299 and A256 and IOTAS are grateful for funding, from Ozengell Grange) was KCC, Ramsgate Town Council excavated from 1976 to (equipment), and the Allen Grove fund of 1980 by The Isle of Thanet the KAS. Thanks also to landowner David Archaeological Unit³ and Steed (Vice President of IOTAS) for ABOVE Circular enclosures and smaller burial from 1987 by TTA (first allowing access and contractor John Reeve ring dirches at LOM, showing approximate director the late Dr. Dave Perkins), and for stripping the topsoil at favourable cost. location of 2103 excavation areas latterly by The Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society (IOTAS). 1. From ’New Archaeological Finds in Thanet’ Road, Phil Andrews (Oxford/Wessex The first major excavation organised 1990 D. Perkins B.Sc. Archaeology) stated “Neolithic pits were and run by IOTAS in 2012 involved 2. The Ringlemere Cup p.49. . found in a number of the sites, including a cutting four trenches to investigate 3. TAU Interim Report 1977-1980 Nigel particularly large cluster of over twenty on features around LOM1 (see plan) seen in Macpherson Grant and Dave Perkins p.4-20. high ground overlooking Cliffsend” (my cropmarks, plus a single trench to clarify

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 7 Please note that due to the historic nature of Maidstone Museum, EVENTS events held in the KAS Library are only accessible via stairs. APRIL provided. Cost £8 to include tea and biscuits.To register email Churches The exhibition goes on tour to Canterbury’s KAS CLASSES IN THE LIBRARY Visits Secretary, Jackie Davidson, Beaney Museum, The Kent History and Dr Jacqueline Bower [email protected] Library Centre in Maidstone, Maison Dieu Summer term from 20 April (6 weeks) or call 01634 324004. in Dover and finally Rochester Cathedral.

10.15 – 12.15 KAS Event KAS TALK ON THE TYPHOID EPIDEMIC MAGNA CARTA GUEST LECTURE SERIES History Makers in Kent ‘STRICKEN MAIDSTONE’ Thursday 28 May – Thursday 25 June Looking at the lives and achievements of by Ian Coulson Alexander Centre, Preston Street men and women associated with Kent in the Saturday 1 past, and their impact on the county and the 8 April 10.30 - 12.00 country. A fascinating programme of free talks on aspects of Magna Carta on Thursdays 14.00 – 16.00 The last major typhoid epidemic of the from 28 May to 25 June commencing at Industries in Kent 19th century was an outbreak at 7.30 pm. Guest lectures include Peter Tann Kent has had many different industries. This Maidstone in 1897. It started in ‘Why Faversham has its Magna Carta’ and class will consider why they were successful, mid-August and by the 9th of September Louise Wilkinson, Professor of Medieval their impact on the county, how they were there were 117 cases. By December the History at Canterbury Christ Church organised and why they declined. Topics will total number of cases was 1847, with, University. Full programme to be include the cloth and iron industries of the according to the official report, 132 announced, but will include a guest Weald, the gunpowder industry and the brick deaths. Join Ian Coulson and see a unique lecture by Dr David Starkey. and cement industries of the Thames and collection of photographs of the outbreak Medway. and discover more about the course of Audience members can visit the ‘Magna events. Carta Rediscovered’ exhibition, open until Cost £30 per term. Cheques payable to 7.30pm on lecture dates. Kent Archaeological Society, to Joy Sage, A £5 donation is requested to cover costs KAS Library, Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s and help the Society further its work. For details of all the above events visit: Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH, with SAE www.faversham.org/events/ enclosed. For more information and to book Please book by sending your name faversham-magna-carta - [email protected] or davecarter25@ address and telephone number to gmail.com. [email protected] or write to Joy Sage/Pernille Richards, KAS IRON AGE POWER Library, Maidstone Museum, St. Faith’s SATURDAY 16 MAY 11.30 – 15.00 CROFTON , ORPINGTON (BR6 Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH giving the Dr Steve Willis, University of Kent & 8AF - adjacent to Orpington details requested. Cheques payable to Maidstone Museum Station) Kent Archaeological Society. If you pay A day for all the family, exploring Iron in advance please include a SAE or an Age Kent. email address so your booking can be ‘TAKE TO THE ROMAN STAGE’ confirmed. Wednesday 1, 8 & Friday 10 April 11.30 – 12.30 Discover all the fun of Roman theatre and Talk for older visitors, with artefacts, by join in a miming story of an ancient Roman MAY Dr Steve Willis on the Iron Age hillforts of legend ‘The Geese that saved Rome’. Make Bigbury and Oldbury in the Bentlif Library, a colourful Roman theatre mask to take FAVERSHAM’S MAGNA CARTA Maidstone Museum. Younger visitors (8+) home. ‘MAGNA CARTA REDISCOVERED’ can create Iron Age replicas in the adjacent EXHBITION Studio. Sessions at 10.30 & 14.00 Alexander Centre, Preston Street Booking needed. Call 07805 138465 or 23 May – 28 June, 10.00 – 16.00 (until 12.30 – 13.00 email [email protected] 19.30 on Thursdays) Buffet lunch (included in the price) Entry £4 per child, adult carer free. Drive to Oldbury Hillfort (own transport Children to be accompanied. For up to needed) 11 year olds. www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk This Magna Carta, one of just a few of the last reissue to survive from 1300, will be 13.30 – 15.00 on rare display, forming the centrepiece of Walk around the defences of Oldbury – KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE VISIT ‘Magna Carta Rediscovered’, a touring ex- suitable footwear for slopes needed. TO WESTWELL AND HOTHFIELD CHURCHES hibition supported by the Heritage Lottery (NEAR ASHFORD) Fund and the Magna Carta 800 Commit- Cost £20 adults. £5 children (8 – 18). Saturday 18 April tee. Displays interpret the importance of Book through Maidstone Museum on Magna Carta to today’s concepts of the 01622 602838. More information from freedom of the individual, democracy and Lyn Palmer on 01622 602862. Numbers Meet at 13.45 for 14.00 at St Mary’s society. Faversham has one of the largest restricted – early booking advised. Church, Westwell TN25 4JX, and go on collections (17) of municipal charters to St Margaret’s, Hothfield, TN26 1EL for in the UK, dating back to 1252, many of 15.00, where tea will be which will be on display in the exhibition.

8 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk JUNE KAS HISTORICAL RESEARCH DROP-IN University of Kent - Tonbridge Centre The meeting will begin with a presentation SESSION with historian Diana Webb and Speaker is Dr Gill Draper FRHistS, FSA, on Frith Furnace, with a visit to this site in researcher Peter Titley Associate Lecturer at the University of Kent the afternoon. This Sussex furnace is not to 6 June Cost - £35 be confused with one of the same name in 10.30 - 12.00 Kent. KAS Library To book [email protected] or 01732 352316 or online at www.kent. The furnace site is well preserved with ac.uk/Tonbridge a bay some 100m long, evidence of the Stuck on a Latin phrase? Puzzled by working area at the eastern end and a tail palaeography? Just starting out and race in which residue from the bottom of feeling in need of a bit of friendly advice? JULY the furnace can be seen. More details of Help is at hand! CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST the furnace and surrounding mine pits can CANTERBURY - WESTGATE GARDENS be found on the WIRG database at http:// The sessions are free, but a small donation ‘PARKS FOR PEOPLE’ COMMUNITY DIG. www.wirgdata.org/searchsites2.cgi is requested to cover costs and help the 11 - 12 July The presentation will be followed by the Society further its work. WIRG AGM and lunch at about 1pm. Buffet lunch available for £10, or bring IMPORTANT Please book in advance Community excavation led by Canterbury a packed lunch. If you require the supplying your name, phone number and City Council and funded by the Heritage buffet please contact WIRG Secretary Judie brief details of what you would like to Lottery Fund. Free, but places are English at [email protected] discuss, by email to limited, so please get in touch to book – or phone 01483 276724 at least a week in [email protected] [email protected] . advance. Non-members are very welcome.

FAVERSHAM’S MAGNA KAS & MAIDSTONE MUSEUM AUGUST CARTA WEEKEND FESTIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY 2015 Saturday and Sunday 13-14 June CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST Maidstone Museum WESTGATE GARDENS ‘PARKS FOR Saturday 18 July, 11.00 - 13.00 PEOPLE’ COMMUNITY DIG & 14.00 - 16.00 Faversham town centre comes alive with a 29-31 August fun-packed weekend as part of the town’s celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary A free archaeology day for the whole family of the sealing of Magna Carta, with music, 3-day training excavation. Cost £75 per – visit the KAS Library to find out about day, or £150 if booking all three days. entertainment, re-enactment, arts, hands- available KAS resources, bring the children on activities, town tours, stalls, food and Further details available from to investigate the sandpit dig or create [email protected] drink and plenty of medieval atmosphere! replica artefacts, and handle real artefacts at hands-on stations in the galleries. Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre is staging Protest, Democracy and the Law, an CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST EAST WEAR BAY, FOLKESTONE - exhibition highlighting the long history of protest in Faversham. For details of the ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD SCHOOL FESTIVAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY 2015 18 July - 16 August above events visit: www.faversham.org/ ROMAN VILLA FAMILY FUN! events/faversham-magna-carta Wednesday 22 & 29 July 4-week archaeological field training school on the Iron Age and Roman villa site at KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE VISIT Discover the secrets of the Villa house TO MARDEN AND STAPLEHURST East Wear Bay, in conjunction with the KAS with a guided talk and Roman artefacts. and local community partners. Programme CHURCHES Complete a family villa quiz – with a badge Saturday 20 June includes training in all aspects of & certificate for children & a free Kent archaeological excavation and Excavations book for the adults! recording and a series of evening lectures Meet at 13.45 for 14.00 at St Michael and other events. Fees from £45 per day, Sessions at 10.30 & 14.30 with reductions available for Friends of CAT, & All Angels, Church Green, Marden Charges: Adults: £1.50, concessions TN12 9DR, and go on to Staplehurst at KAS members and local partner groups. £1.00, Family of four £4.00, each addition- A limited number of volunteer places are 15.00, where tea and cake will al child 50p. Children to be accompanied, be provided. also available for KAS members. Contact no booking needed. [email protected] for more details and to book a place. Cost £8, to include refreshments. The Villa is at BR6 8AF (adjacent to To register email the Churches Visits Orpington Railway Station). Secretary, Jackie Davidson, jacalyn. www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk [email protected] or call 01634 CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST 324004. SOUTH FORELAND LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY DIG WEALDEN IRON RESEARCH 25 July - 8 August GROUP SUMMER MEETING UNIVERSITY OF KENT STUDY DAY Saturday 18 July from 11.00 HUGUENOTS AND WALLOONS: AT NORTHCHAPEL VILLAGE HALL, Community excavation within the grounds IMMIGRANTS IN THE TOWNS WEST SUSSEX OF SOUTH EAST of South Foreland Lighthouse, perched Tuesday 23 June, 10.00-16.00 on top of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover, undertaken with the National Trust as

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 9 EVENTS CONTINUED

part of the ‘Up on the Downs’ Landscape WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY weeks) Partnership Scheme, led by Dover District PREHISTORIC KENT CONFERENCE Spring Term from 11 January 2016 (10 Council and funded by the Heritage Lottery Saturday 12 September weeks) Fund. Free, but places are limited, contact The University of Greenwich, [email protected] Medway Campus. 10.15 – 12.15 Organisers: Mark Williams and David The Later Tudors, 1547-1603 Britchfield, Wessex Archaeology A class examining the reigns of Edward VI, CROFTON ROMAN VILLA Mary and Elizabeth. Topics will include the HEROIC ROMAN ADVENTURES! Protestant Reformation, development of the Every Wednesday in August Further information and a list of economy, society in Kent and England and speakers will be made available on the foreign relations. KAS and Wessex Archaeology websites in Join us to listen to stories of ancient due course. www.wessexarch.co.uk 14.00 – 16.00 heroes. Take part in a quiz and make a http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/ The British Empire 1763-1914 fabulous heroic picture to take home. Twitter: @WAsoutheast This class will look at the expansion of the 5 August - Pegasus, the Prince Empire. Topics include the growth of British & the Monster power in India, the development of Canada, 12 August - Hercules meets a fearsome KAS HISTORICAL RESEARCH DROP-IN Australia and New Zealand, the ‘Scramble beast & holds up the sky SESSION with historian Diana Webb and for Africa’ and the impact of the Empire on 19 August - Persephone captured researcher Peter Titley. the home country. by the King of the Underworld 26 September 26 August - Theseus & the 10.30 - 12.00 Cost £50 per term. Cheques payable to Monster Minotaur KAS Library Kent Archaeological Society, to Joy Sage, KAS Library, Maidstone Museum, St Faith’s Sessions at 10.30 & 14.00 Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH, with SAE For up to 11 year olds. No booking needed. Stuck on a Latin phrase? Puzzled by enclosed. For more information and to Children to be accompanied. palaeography? Just starting out and book - [email protected] or Entry £4.00 per child, adult carers free. feeling in need of a bit of friendly advice? [email protected]. Help is at hand! Fun with Roman pots! Every Friday in August The sessions are free, but a small donation OCTOBER is requested to cover costs and help the Discover what the Romans used for Society further its work. CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST cooking, eating and drinking. Handle real ONE-DAY COURSE in CANTERBURY Roman pottery and make your own clay pot IMPORTANT Please book in advance Saturday 17 October to take home! supplying your name, phone number and 10.00 – 16.00 brief details of what you would like to Sessions at 10.30 & 14.00 discuss, by email to For up to 11 year olds. No booking needed. [email protected] Roman Pottery in East Kent Children to be accompanied. Tutor, Andrew Savage Entry £4.00 per child, adult carers free. KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE VISIT Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact The Villa is at BR6 8AF (adjacent to Orp- MINSTER ABBEY AND MINSTER [email protected] ington Station). www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk CHURCH, THANET for full details or to book a place. Fee for Saturday 26 September all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT).

SEPTEMBER Meet at 13.45 for 14.00 at Minster KAS FIELDWORK COMMITTEE CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL Abbey, Church Street, Minster CT12 4BX, CONFERENCE TRUST ONE-DAY COURSES then cross the road to St Mary the ANGLO-SAXON KENT: OLD AND Virgin Church for 15.00, where tea NEW DISCOVERIES will be provided. Saturday 31 October 5 September 10.00 – 16.00 Rutherford College, Lecture First Steps in Archaeology (1). Tutor, Cost is £8, to include tea and biscuits. Theatres 1 and 2 University of Kent at Andrew Richardson Visitors are also welcome to attend Canterbury CT2 7NX Vespers at 18.00 in the Abbey. 19 September 10.00 – 16.00 Caesar to Claudius: Britain, Gaul and Rome To register email the Churches Visits Tickets: £20. KAS members £15 (price From 55 BC to AD 43. Tutors, Jake Weekes Secretary, Jackie Davidson, jacalyn. includes tea/coffee, but not lunch). A flyer & Andrew Richardson [email protected] or call 01634 with booking details is included in this 324004. Newsletter. Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact [email protected] Bookstalls and displays for full details or to book a place. Fee for KAS CLASSES IN THE LIBRARY 10.00 - 10.30 Coffee and registration all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT). Dr Jacqueline Bower 10.30 - 10.40 Introduction by Ian Coulson, KAS president 10.40 - 11.20 Anglo-Saxon finds in the Autumn Term from 21 September (10 KAS collection, Dr Andrew Richardson 11.25 - 12.05 The settlement at Church

10 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Whitfield and colonisation of the east Kent JANUARY 2016 mainly lectures with a few guided tours of downs, Keith Parfitt iconic Canterbury buildings. The lecturers 12.10 - 12.50 Thoughts on St Augustine’s CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST will include a considerable number landing place, Ges Moody ONE-DAY COURSE of well-known faces from TV and radio, 13.00 - 14.00 Lunch (food not provided). 16 January 10.00 – 16.00 and prominent specialists. Among those There are facilities for lunch on the First Steps in Archaeology (2) Tutor, contributing will be Professors Richard University campus Andrew Richardson Gameson, Michelle Brown, David 14.00 - 14.40 The Meads cemetery, Carpenter, Nicholas Vincent, Carole Sittingbourne, Dr Andrew Richardson Rawcliffe and Louise Wilkinson, as well and Dana Goodburn Brown Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact Drs David Starkey and Helen Castor, and 14.45 - 15.45 Discoveries at Lyminge, [email protected] Dan Jones and Ian Mortimer. To provide for Dr Gabor Thomas/Dr Alex Knox for full details or to book a place. Fee for a variety of interests the medieval topics 15.50 - 16.10 Tea all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT). covered over the weekend will be broad, 16.15 - 16.50 St Peter’s cemetery, including manuscripts and book culture, Thanet , Alison Taylor pilgrimage, the Black Death, civil war and 16.50 - 17.00 Closing remarks, Ian FEBRUARY 2016 life in towns. Coulson CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST ONE-DAY COURSES Tickets for each lecture with discounts 6 February 2016 10.00 – 16.00 available for multiple ticket purchases. KAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND The Archaeology of Death. Tutors, Sarah More details of the weekend expected to INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY CONFERENCE Geary and Jake Weekes be available soon and tickets should be PAST INDUSTRIES OF KENT available through the Canterbury Christ AND RELEVANT BUILDINGS Church University website from April 2015. Saturday 24 October 9.30 for 10am 27 February 2016 10.00 – 16.00 start. 16.00 finish Understanding and Recording Blue Town Heritage Centre, 69 High Street, Stratigraphy. Tutor, Peter Clark. Visit Blue Town, Sheerness ME12 1RW www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact

[email protected] for full details or to book a place. Fee for Full programme details are yet to be all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT). finalised. Planned morning talks include ‘Papermaking in Kent’ and on ‘Hayle Mill’, FREE ARCHAEOLOGY TRAINING by Dr Maureen Green (Hasted Prize winner) MARCH 2016 and on ‘Restoration of the Grounds of Quex OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE RANDALL Park’ by Sue Harris (Head Gardener, Quex CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST MANOR PROJECT Museum). ONE-DAY COURSES 5 March 10.00 – 16.00 The afternoon will focus on historic Blue Thanks to a very generous grant from the Town, with presentations on ‘The Former KAS, there will be a number of FREE Music Hall’ (the Conference venue), and Putting Colour in the Past: An Introduction training days with the Randall Manor ‘The History of Blue Town’, to be followed to Environmental Archaeology. Tutors, Enid post-excavation project throughout by a tour exploring the surrounding area. Allison and Alex Vokes 2015. Dates available shortly.

Space is limited to 100 places. 12 March 10.00 – 16.00 Finds conservation training with Dana Conference tickets £20 including light Archaeological Report Writing. Goodburn Brown at Sittingbourne CSI lunch and refreshments (£12 without Tutor, Jake Weekes lunch) Medieval pottery workshops with Nigel 19 March 10.00 – 16.00 Macpherson Grant To book, contact the Secretary of the First Steps in Archaeology (3) Tutor, Historic Buildings Committee, Mike Clinch, Andrew Richardson Environmental sample processing email [email protected] or 01322 training and flot analysis with the 526425. A booking form can be down- Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact Canterbury Archaeological Trust loaded from the KAS website. [email protected] for full details or to book a place. Fee for Assessment of a medieval roof tile assemblage with the Museum of all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT). NOVEMBER Archaeology

CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST APRIL 2016 Digitising and processing your drawn ONE-DAY COURSES site archive with the Trust for Thanet 7 November 10.00 – 16.00 MEDIEVAL HISTORY WEEKEND AT Archaeology A Crash Course in . Tutor, CANTERBURY: ‘EXPLORING THE MIDDLE Jake Weekes AGES’, CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH If you are interested in learning more UNIVERSITY about any of these FREE training days, 1–3 April 2016 please contact Andrew Mayfield. 21 November 10.00 – 16.00 [email protected] | 07920 The Archaeology of the Kingdom of Kent. 548906 | @ArchaeologyKent on twitter Tutor, Andrew Richardson Friday evening and all day Saturday at Old | www.facebook.com/archaeologyinkent Sessions House, Canterbury Christ Church For more information on the excavation Visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk or contact University; Sunday morning till late of Randall Manor, please see the article [email protected] afternoon at Canterbury Cathedral Lodge. in the November 2014 KAS newsletter. for full details or to book a place. Fee for A series of mostly one-hour sessions all courses is £40 (£35 for Friends of CAT). throughout the weekend, comprising

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 11 KAS Historic Defences Committee: the first year MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Kent’s strategic position has bestowed upon it a rich history of military defence I am very pleased to welcome the Many thanks to those who have sent from pre-Roman periods to following people who have joined the renewal cheques so promptly. If you the Cold War as well as a legacy of KAS since the previous Newsletter. haven’t yet done so please renew as soon Many apologies if I have omitted as possible so that the volume of surviving sites of fascinating variety. anybody! reminder letters can be reduced. Please It is this which stimulated the formation check your personal bank statements to of the Society’s Historic Defences make sure that the correct subscription Life Members Committee which met for the first time Mr Peter Hart, Cambridge has been paid (£10 students under 25, Mr Jack Coulson, Wye £25 ordinary members, £30 joint in January 2014. The Committee hopes members). Check also that any previous to foster growth of an existing interest in Student Members payments have been cancelled to avoid this subject both within the Society and Mr Adam Santer, duplication. more widely, as well as to encourage Ordinary Members Please quote your membership number participation in defence-heritage projects, Mrs Anne Beecham, Folkestone when getting in touch and also add this including the recording of sites. Miss Emma Broadhurst, Herne Bay to your reference when paying by standing Dr Peter Costen, St Peters, Guernsey order. You will find your number printed Wherever possible it will help recognition Ms Jane Elder, Canterbury on the address label for this newsletter. of the need to do more to protect our Ms Caroline Farquhar, Sevenoaks defence heritage. If you have mislaid your membership card Mrs Mary Fox, Canterbury Although most activity is currently Mr Peter Hart, Cambridge please send me a stamped addressed Mrs Janet Howard, Whitstable envelope for another one – needed for focussed on the defences of the modern Mrs Helen Jarvis, Canterbury access to the KAS library! Finally, please era, the hope is to embrace all periods spread the word about our Society by Ms Carole Mandeville, Faversham which, hopefully, will be reflected in Ms Sharon Nevin, Oxford pointing people to the website or asking Ms Mary-Christine Rose, Tonbridge me for a bundle of leaflets. future publications. Developing positive Ms Thalia Sayer, Tonbridge partnerships will be explored by the Shiela Broomfield; Membership Secretary Mrs Denise Stewart, Gravesend [email protected] Committee. This has already resulted in Miss Claire Vidler, Dover two successful publicly attended field Joint Members trips to historic defences in the Hoo Mrs B Graham & Mr M Burnsnell Peninsula and, in cooperation with Lower Halstow, Sittingbourne YOU & YOUR SOCIETY YOUR & YOU Maidstone Museum, to the Great War home defences in Sheppey and Swale. At least one more such event is planned for

NEW BOOKS early times, and often shared with Published by Ian Hodgkins & Co Ltd, unrelated local families. [email protected] Available WOOD - A FAMILY OF KENT from Adams of Rye Ltd, £20 plus £4 By Charles Wood Many of the connections uncovered p&p. Email: [email protected], Tel: ISBN 978-0-906460-14-6 here were forgotten over the last 150 01797 223136 www.Adamsofrye.co.uk This account deals with a common years, given migration and business surname with many variations. It sets opportunities here and overseas in the out to trace a line and its context in Victorian age; and not least insouciant Kent in deep links to families and attitudes of Edwardians. Hopefully the TONBRIDGE THROUGH TEN CENTURIES places, starting with provisional context of this account will encourage Tonbridge Historical Society possibilities in the sixteenth century, further discoveries to come. A short In the 11th century, Tonbridge was a with more confident connections and postscript traces one particular family tiny settlement. By the end of the 20th background in later periods up to the into the middle of the last century. it was home to more than 30,000 First World War. people. This richly-illustrated book Extensive footnotes, index and a explores the history of that remarkable Kent has one of the finest collections of bibliography. Includes five maps and transformation, as a compact castle- historical records of any county, but early surveys, and 29 other illustrations, centred community grew into there is ample room for confusion when mainly in colour. Paperback, 200 a substantial town. a family name is so widely found in pages.

12 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk KAS Historic Defences Committee: the first year

2015. During the present BELOW The Over 25 requests for information riverside and which has suffered centenary the Great War is blockhouse in have been answered and two from vandalism and decay. especially topical and the February 2015, members are assisting with research Although published, this site may Committee has had encouraging having suffered and advice concerning British not have reached the limits of discussions with possible partners vandalism, loss of historic defences abroad. historical investigation and about holding an educational fabric and decay. Conservation of sites is likely to discovery. public conference on military and Photo Victor Smith. be a continuing issue. One current The Committee have a blog civil defence in Kent and the South concern is the Tudor Gravesend (https://kenthistoricdefences. East, probably in 2016. Blockhouse (built 1539/40) on wordpress.com/) and this lists Meanwhile, several members have view in Gravesend’s heritage opportunities for participation in contributed to a paper on Kent’s defences during the Great War, containing the latest research on this subject. This has been submitted for Archaeologia Cantiana, building on the work of the Defence of Swale Project (described in 40-47 of the KAS Newsletter, 100, winter 2014). There is scope for further ground- breaking research and investigation in the years ahead. Promulgating hitherto unpublished research on Kent’s defences is an idea also being considered by the Committee and two earlier investigated sites in north and east Kent have been suggested for possible publication. Discussions are in progress. projects run by various organisations, including the Defence of Swale Project managed by Kent County Council. Further Many of the 300 illustrations come opportunities may evolve from from the Society’s extensive pictorial proposals for study of another part and archive collections. The authors are of the county should these be members of the Society with varied taken forward. experience in teaching, writing, After having been in existence lecturing and historical research. for a short time the Committee is still finding its way but progress is Available from The Tourist Office at being made. Tonbridge Castle; Mr. Books Bookshop, Contact point for the Committee is 142 High Street, Tonbridge; online from Victor Smith, 65 Stonebridge Road, www.amazon.co.uk; or by sending a ABOVE The blockhouse as it probably appeared in the Northfleet, Kent DA11 9BA (01474 cheque with name, address and phone later 16th century. Illus: Chris Forsey. 323415 and [email protected]). number to THS, 7 The Ridgeway, Tonbridge TN10 4NQ (cheques payable to ‘Tonbridge Historical Society’ for ARCHAEOLOGIA CANTIANA NOW ONLINE £9.50 per copy, incl. free delivery to TN9 and TN10 postcodes, or £13.00 Volumes 1 (1858) to 132 (2012) of Archaeologia Cantiana are now online, incl. p&p to all other postcodes). thanks to the sterling efforts of Ted Connell and volunteers. http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Pub/ArchCant/Intro.htm

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 13 A FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF KENT by Roger Cockett

Amongst the treasures in the possession of the KAS is an Imperial Quarto size book, The Antiquities of Kent, written in manuscript by one William Dampier.

This is not the famous Dampier, TOP Dampier’s sketches of Leeds Castle. He recalls navigator, buccaneer and writer, drawing of receiving valuable help from the 4th December 1875 and Dampier who in 1681 was obliged to cross Penshurst Place then owner, Charles Wykeham- must have had to work hard to get the jungle of the Panama isthmus Martin. By the age of 16, Dampier it ready, even by 1880, when it on foot with his manuscript was apprenticed to a printer and was advertised for sale in The journals secreted inside a length of INSERT RIGHT the census of 1861 found him Antiquary. The address in the bamboo tube stopped up with wax. Bookbinder’s ‘ticket’ working as a compositor, living in advertisement of 47 Finsbury Our William Dampier followed a or label, set into the Clerkenwell, east London, with a Circus, London EC, sounds like a somewhat different path in life and inside edge of the wife and small family. He writes place of business. Whether the was born in 1835 in Camden back board. that “It was not until the year 1864 book was sold at that time we do Street, Maidstone, although his that circumstances arose by which not know. By 1881 he and his father was in fact born in the same I was enabled to set about... remaining family had moved to part of Somerset as Dampier the producing a book. I undertook Bermondsey, then in Surrey, where buccaneer. William Dampier writes excursions into Kent, chiefly on his mother died that year. By that while still a young boy, he foot, to inspect the various 1891, Dampier was living on his conceived a “fixed determination” buildings or objects...”. own in lodgings and gives his to write an account of the By the time of the 1871 census occupation as journalist. In 1892 historical buildings of Kent, even though, Dampier’s personal life he died, aged only 57, leaving an though he had not yet the means had begun to change for the worse. estate of £214 to his son and nor the opportunity to do so. His wife had died and he and the possibly to his son-in-law. Dampier writes in his preface children were living with his The Antiquities of Kent breaks that in the summer of 1849 at the widowed mother in Maidstone. little new ground in its subject age of 14 (a few months after the His occupation was now an matter and it keeps strictly within death of his father) he began upon amanuensis (ie a clerk or secretary). the bounds of its subtitle - his great task, by making notes and The Antiquities of Kent is dated “Churches, Monastic Edifices,

14 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Castles, Baronial Halls, Manor that it was in the KAS Library and Houses, Cromlechs etc”. The book KAS librarians have over the years does not cover minor buildings or been aware of it. No record history which is not directly related survives of its accession and to buildings. Besides his closely perhaps it was donated soon after hand-written text, its 426 pages 1880. contain 178 ink drawings, The book has been very presumably by the author, many in expensively bound. A tiny the text but some ink and wash bookbinder’s ‘ticket’ or label is set drawings on whole pages of heavier into the inside edge of the back paper. In his preface, Dampier lists board, but it bears no name. Dr his sources as Hasted, Ireland, ABOVE Chillington largely based on secondary sources Peter Draper believed that the Lambarde, Kilburne and “others”. House, now part of and one cannot verify its contents. binding was done by Sangorski of He also quotes from Thorpe, Maidstone Also it is of course 140 years old. London, founded in 1901. Philipott, Dugdale, Tanner and Museum However, the book does have the However, we now know that Grose, but gives no specific merit that William Dampier seems Dampier died 9 years before that references except where he quotes to have visited all the buildings he date. A newspaper cutting of 1930 an author’s words. William BELOW William writes about and it thus gives us an preserved in the book is an Dampier was never a member of Dampier eyewitness account of their state in obituary of Mr J W Zaehnsdorf, a the Kent Archaeological Society the period 1849-1874. It would of bookbinder who had retired in and the Society’s Proceedings in the course have been even better if he 1923 from a business founded by period 1875 to 1885 make no had given the year of each visit, as his father in 1844; perhaps an mention of his work, but he does Sir Stephen Glynne did in his earlier researcher had identified say that “much information has ‘Churches of Kent’. The drawings him as the binder. Only the first been acquired from the published of buildings are generally very few pages show signs of much use, reports of the Kent Archaeological attractively done, but verge upon but the book has at some time Society”. He also says, intriguingly, the amateurish, since Dampier is suffered from careless handling that a large number of documents good with detail, but poor on and the spine is beginning to and papers bearing on the Cobham proportion. He is liable to mislead detach from the binding. It will family – also on the restoration of a researcher who does not know a not stand up to any substantial the Cobham brasses were placed at building. But even an indifferent future use by readers unless it can my disposal by Captain F Capper- drawing can have great value for be repaired. Alternatively, the Brooke of Ufford near Woodbridge the historian. book could possibly be in Suffolk.” One certainly wonders We may only speculate as to why photographed and the page images what became of them. the book was hand-written and not made available on the Society’s The pages of the book are printed. Dampier of all people, as a website. numbered, but there is no index. printer, would have realised that Poor William Dampier must There are lists of 193 buildings, there could only ever be the one have died a disappointed man 179 illustrations and 116 coats of copy. Perhaps he had hoped that a back in 1892 in his solitary arms. These lists are not in publisher would take it on but the London lodging. He would never alphabetical order in the book, but cost had proved to be too high. have dreamed that his life’s work we hope to transcribe them into the Perhaps he believed that if he made might one day be made available correct order and put them on the just the one beautifully written, to thousands of readers around the Society’s website. The coats of arms illustrated and bound copy then it world via the internet. are coloured and most attractive, would outlive him - in which case but they seem to have been he was right. constructed from the heraldic What happened to the book? BELOW The book shorthand and are not Our Member Mr Michael Leach, reproductions of what Dampier of Ongar in Essex, recently came saw. across the advertisement for The Antiquities of Kent certainly William Dampier’s book in a copy does have some value for the of the Antiquary of February 1880 modern reader. It is not a book of and wrote asking if it could be first resort for the researcher as it is identified. A quick check revealed

Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk 15 Roman Villa under excavation in 1961

HISTORIC AERIAL PHOTOS NOW ONLINE Aerial photographs of Kent from the 1940s, 1961 and 1990 are now available to view through Google Earth’s historic imagery tool. Google Earth is a free programme that can be downloaded from the web.

The photos were scanned in and rectified from Kent County Council’s aerial photography collection as part of the Interreg ARCH project.

Chatham Dockyard in 1946, showing battleships, submarines and an aircraft carrier.

If undelivered, please return to The editor wishes to draw attention to the fact that neither EDITOR: LYN PALMER S. Broomfield, 8 Woodview Crescent, she nor the Council of the KAS are answerable for opinions 55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QU Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9HD which contributors may express in their signed articles; Telephone: 01892 533661 each author is alone responsible for the contents and Email: [email protected] Copy deadline for the next issue is 1st Sept 2015 substance of their work.

16 Spring 2015 Kent Archaeological Society www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Registered Charity No. 223382