KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL ISSUE NUMBER 88 SOCIETY WINTER 2010/11

Your Quarterly Newsletter

Britain’s biggest dig in 2010 Pages 2-3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2-3 East Access 4 Patrixbourne Window 5 Wall Paintings New Books 6-7 What’s on 8 You and Your Society 9-10 Committee Round Up 11 KAS Library & its Coverage 12-13 Notes from the Archive 14-15 Dig 16 KARU -40 Years in Dover

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Fig 2 East Kent Access

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Britain’s biggest dig in 2010 by Phil Andrews (Oxford Wessex Archaeology) and Simon Mason (Kent County Council) tradition of the arrival in AD449 of Hengist and Horsa at Ebbsfleet and in An important new road link, the East Kent Access AD597 the arrival of St Augustine and Phase 2, is being built by Kent County Council to the his Christian mission. The building of south of Manston Airport. Construction of the new road the road offered an unparalleled is now well underway on what was the site of Britain’s opportunity to explore the background biggest archaeological excavation in 2010. For over a to this historically important area, year, up to 150 archaeologists from Oxford Wessex uncovering the lives and customs of the Archaeology (OWA) have been investigating one of the peoples who dwelt there. richest archaeological landscapes in the country. At its planning stage, it became clear that the road could not be built without This article presents some of the highlights of the affecting important archaeology and prehistoric archaeology, with the principal Roman, Saxon this was likely to occur over much of and medieval discoveries being the subject of a further its route. In total over 6km of the road article in the next newsletter. length was stripped for archaeology, (Section shown in front cover aerial photo) The road is being built on the southern for new peoples, cultures, ideas and following a preliminary programme of slopes of Thanet, extending from the trade. Thanet, sited on the east side of field walking, test pitting, metal Ebbsfleet Peninsula in the mouth of the Wantsum Channel - an important detecting and evaluation trenching. the former Wantsum Channel up the harbour and navigational route - was The challenge was considerable; the scarp slope to the high ridge at Manston particularly well located to receive this road builders, VolkerFitzpatrick Airport. Readers of this newsletter will influx. The landscape in which the road Hochtieff needed to complete their be very familiar with the vast wealth is being built is associated with some main earthmoving by the end of the of archaeology that the former Isle of of the great events and traditions of summer. This meant that that the Thanet holds. East Kent has long been British history: Claudius’ invasion in archaeology had to be promptly dealt recognised as a gateway to the country AD43 at nearby Richborough, the with beforehand, often in very poor

2 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk East Kent Access weather conditions. To achieve this as upstanding earthworks, but the dating to around 800 - 700BC (front OWA had to approach the excavation associated, now infilled encircling cover). The bracelets were unfortunately in an innovative manner, ensuring that ditches, are often visible as cropmarks. not found in archaeological features as all the archaeology was rapidly mapped, Over the length of the road twelve the area in which they were discovered finds and environmental samples ring ditches were discovered in varying had been landscaped in the early 1990s processed, dated and assessed during topographic locations. Many were sited when a waste water treatment works the fieldwork and the results entered on the high ridges or slopes overlooking was constructed. It is very likely, into a computer Geographic the Wantsum Channel, others were however, that they are related to the Information System. This enabled the sited in lower lying locations. They several Late Bronze Age metalwork archaeologists to understand the results varied greatly in size, from the smallest hoards that have been previously of their work as it progressed and at around 4m diameter to the largest discovered on the same site; another of ensured that appropriate sampling over 40m across, with ditches up to these was found during the decisions were taken. 2m deep. Some of the ring ditches current work. An important part of the archaeology appeared to be small henge-like The Iron Age was perhaps the best work was to make sure that the local monuments in their original form and represented period on the scheme and community had the opportunity to see are likely to be of Neolithic date. These remains of this date were found across and learn about, and if they wanted to, were penannular ditches with external the entire route. The vestiges of participate, in the archaeological works. banks which probably acted as settlement, enclosures, field systems, An extensive outreach programme was enclosures for ritual activity. Some were and trackways were widespread put in place which included road shows later transformed into Bronze Age throughout the landscape. (Fig 1), school visits, talks, open days, funerary monuments and burials were One of the most notable and volunteering opportunities on an area found in a number of them. One in intriguing sites, dating to the earlier set aside for a community excavation particular contained a rich assemblage centuries of the Iron Age, was found and finds processing and a dedicated which included an amber object and on a high promontory overlooking web site (eastkent.owarch.co.uk). Pegwell Bay in Cliffsend. Here a large, Thousands of people came into contact trapezoidal enclosure, (Front cover inset) with the project during the fieldwork. with broad, deep ditches (Fig 3) appears The discoveries have been every bit to focus on a former henge monument, as exciting as had been anticipated. The the ditches of which must still have earliest discoveries were a couple of been clearly visible at the time. Within stray Mesolithic tranchet axes found the enclosed area were the remains of in later features and the remains of a a large sunken featured building (visible Mesolithic flint working area, the debris in front cover inset), one of the best deposited in the hollow left by a fallen examples of this date yet found and a tree. Such remains are rare on Thanet. type of prehistoric structure that Fig 4 Neolithic and Bronze Age remains on appears unique to Thanet. Other the scheme were plentiful, though the features lay outside the enclosure and absence of Beaker burials was surprising included a substantial palisade, post- given the number that have been found built structures, rubbish pits, granary on Thanet. Neolithic pits were found a unique triple food vessel (Fig 2). pits and complexes of quarry pits. A on a number of the sites, including a Later Bronze Age activity was mainly number of burials were excavated, particularly large cluster of over twenty focused on the Ebbsfleet peninsula and including one with a on high ground overlooking Cliffsend. on the adjacent slopes of Cottington shale bracelet (Fig 4) and another of Aerial photography and previous Hill. The remains of settlement a horse (Fig 5). excavations on Thanet have shown that including post-built structures, Another important site, a Romano- the landscape was once rich in Neolithic enclosures and trackways were found British village with Iron Age origins, and Bronze Age burial mounds and during the work. A particularly fine lay at the neck of the Ebbsfleet other monuments. Due to millennia discovery, found on the Ebbsfleet Peninsula, but this will be covered in of ploughing, none of these now survive peninsula, was two gold bracelets the next newsletter.

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 3 Patrixbourne’s NEW BOOKS Wheel Window by Mary Berg, Chairman, KAS Churches Committee

Detail of the window’s exterior Kent has many great treasures and none the nave. The more precious than its Norman north aisle churches. Two of these have 12th was added in century wheel windows set in the the 19th chancel gable: Barfrestone and century when Patrixbourne, both near Canterbury. other restoration and rebuilding The only other wheel window from programmes were carried out. this period set in an eastern gable is in Surviving decorative 12th century Castle Hedingham church in Essex and work includes the splendid south that was recycled from the castle. The door and the chancel arch as well as glass installed in the lancets dimensions of the inner part of the the east end. It is well worth visiting. below the Patrixbourne wheel, cracks windows at Barfrestone and The wheel window is certainly were observed in and around the wheel. Patrixbourne are almost exactly the Norman work but new evidence (see The churchwardens commissioned same and they are strikingly similar in below) indicates that it may not have reports from the Canterbury style. This begs the question of whether been part of the original scheme for Archaeological Trust, a glass they were originally intended – or restorer, a stone mason and a even used – as a pair elsewhere, structural engineer. perhaps in a transept of a much larger Close inspection revealed some Detail of the window’s interior local building. However interesting instability but not an immediate v.122 (2002), pp. 113-142. M. Berg, and H. Jones. (2002), pp. 113-142. v.122 it is to speculate about that, it is threat of collapse. Some damage beyond the scope of this article. appears to result from the 19th Patrixbourne’s name is from the century repairs when some stonework family called Patric(k) who were lords on the exterior of the wheel was of the manor from soon after 1066 replaced by inferior Caen stone and ArchaeologiaCantiana until 1191. They were tenants of the the window was reset and re-glazed. Conqueror’s half-brother Odo, Earl Repair work is necessary but sadly of Kent and bishop of Bayeux in the English Heritage is not providing Bessin area between Bayeux and funding. It is hoped that the 2010/11 Caen, although their principal manor winter is not as severe as 2009/10 as was at La Lande-Patry in southern the effort to raise the necessary funds Normandy. A church is recorded at the east end but inserted some time gets underway. Patrixbourne in the Domesday Book later. That could have been towards the (1089) and Tim Tatton-Brown and end of the 12th century, perhaps during others have discerned some evidence the work of the 15th century or later of late Anglo-Saxon work in the present still. It underwent considerable Friends of St Mary’s Patrixbourne church. What we see today is largely a restoration in the 19th century, as did (FOSM) may be contacted c/o Dr Andrea Nicholson, Riverside 12th century church where the roof that at Barfrestone, making it virtually Cottage, Patrixbourne, Canterbury was raised in the early 15th century to impossible now to determine when CT4 5BU who will be delighted to accommodate a large west window and either was inserted. During recent work receive contributions! Norman Churches in the Canterbury Diocese, (The History Press, 2009). Unpublished reports prepared for with Bridge PCC. Patrixbourne Sources: Church: ‘Patrixbourne and History’ Patronage, Medieval Fabric in a chapel to the south-eastern end of on the beautiful post-medieval Swiss

4 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk NEW BOOKS

Letters from Bishopsbourne described in the Christopher Scoble article by Fiona £17.99. Published by BMM. Allardyce in Arch. ISBN 978-0-9541544-1-7 Cant. CI, 122 (1984) relating to The village of Bishopsbourne was once the Painting of home to three of the finest stylists in St. Eustace in the English language – Richard Hooker, Canterbury the humble theologian who penned Cathedral. The basic the definitive justification of the error in Tristram’s Elizabethan church settlement; Joseph method was the Conrad, who wrote his last novels application of a wax there; and Jocelyn Brooke, whose coating. This sealed ‘orchid’ trilogy shot him to fame in the the surface, leading late 1940s. to moisture being trapped, producing After a testing life of action, all three Calcium sulphate arrived in the village in search of peace from limestone and and the space to write. They all loved building up osmotic the place in different ways, but died pressure and hence relatively young, frustrated by life and spalling off of the literature. This book recalls the lives, surface. both in and out of the village, of three In a recent issue very different writers, but with one of Chemistry World thing at least in common – a lasting Wall Paintings (V 7, no. 10,9, love for the countryside of Kent. by Peter Draper (2010)) (Roy. Soc. Chemistry) is an article outlining ow often in visiting a church, current practice and developments. are sad fragments of ancient, These were presented at the recent vivid depictions of often EuCheMS Conference in HBiblical scenes displayed. The originals Nuremberg. (R Giorgi et al. Chem. would have transformed the interior Eur J., 16, 9374 (2010)). Presently as well as serving as the equivalent of an acrylic polymer coating is applied modern strip cartoons for the largely but these yellow in light and lead illiterate congregation. The lime to the same loss of surface as the washings over of the Reformation, the wax. At the University of Florence, Commonwealth and the well meant a solution of Calcium hydroxide restorative operations of Professor E nano-particles has been developed. W Tristram in the inter war years all These do not make the surface caused irreparable damage. impervious to water and react with Tristram (1882 – 1952) became oxygen to replace lost Calcium Professor of Design at the Royal carbonate. The technique has also College of Art in 1925 and took a been successfully applied to paper great interest in these depictions. He etc. The alcoholic solution is simply published several works on the subject, brushed onto a thin layer of notably ‘English Medieval Wall porous paper which is then Painting’ in 1944 -50 and removed when dry. posthumously in 1955. A Kentish example and its rectification is

Image source: ‘The legend of St Eustace, wall painting (c. 1480), Canterbury Cathedral www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 5 Photo used under Creative Commons from Chris Beckett. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisjohnbeckett/ WHAT’S ON

KAS EVENTS Parking is available outside the castle wall. An afternoon of lectures and discussions led by friends and colleagues to celebrate KAS SPRING EXCURSION We will then move on to St Martin of Tours the life and work of the first Director of the Visit to Chevening House (postcode DA4 0EH; grid ref TQ540654). the Trust for Thanet Archaeology who died Tuesday 5 April, 10am - 12.30 Cost £5 each, to include tea and biscuits in August 2010. A two hour visit to every part of the house, at Eynsford. Tickets £5.00 (£3:00 students). conducted by Col. R.P.D. Brooks, Sec. to the Board of Trustees. Please register by contacting the Church Further details of speakers and ticket Visits Secretary, Jackie Davidson, reservation will be available from the Cost £15.00 each. Refreshments included. [email protected] Trust’s website, www.thanetarch.co.uk, in or 01634 324004. Numbers are very limited and a second visit January 2011. this year is not possible. Dates of all Churches Committee visits this Proceeds and donations from the memorial year can be found in the diary at conference will go toward a fund to prepare To reserve a place please contact Joy www.kentarchaeology.org.uk . Saynor by February 1st on 01959 522713 Dr Perkins’ unpublished excavation reports or [email protected] for publication.

KAS LECTURES IN THE LIBRARY Lectures by Dr Jackie Bower in KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE Council for Kentish Archaeology Maidstone Museum, Faith Street, Joint Conference with the Kent Local STUDY DAY Maidstone. Living through the Reformation at St History Federation & Bromley Local Dunstan’s, Canterbury VICTORIAN PEOPLE History Society Saturday 9 April 10am - 4.30pm Saturday 7 May from 9.15am Mondays 10.15am – 12.15pm from 9 May St Dunstan’s Church Hall, for six weeks (excluding Bank Holidays) Aspects of the Archaeology and London Road, Canterbury History of Bromley Borough The class will look at the lives and careers Two morning lectures including: of men and women of Victorian Britain who Illustrated talks on archaeological ‘Religious changes and impact on the made a contribution to national life or are discoveries by Brian Philp, and Bromley’s parish’ Professor Ken Fincham remembered for significant personal historic past by local historians, followed by site tours (in the afternoon) of achievements. Cost £30. Four afternoon workshops looking at the archaeological sites and historic buildings church before and after the changes – GEORGIAN AND VICTORIAN LONDON studying the building and church Held at Crofton Halls, York Rise, off Crofton documents. Mondays 2 – 4pm from 9 May for 6 weeks Road, Orpington BR6 8PR. (excluding Bank Holidays) Cost £12.00 each including lunch, Morning free for Friends of the CKA; there tea and coffee. The class will study London in the may be a charge in the afternoon eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when Booking form – see enclosed flyer in it was the world’s greatest city, at the centre newsletter or go to www.kentarchaeology. of the British Empire. Topics may include Maidstone Area Archaeological Group org.uk or by post from (include SAE): the growth of the metropolis, transport, Indoor Meetings on Fridays from 7.30 public health and housing, and the Port of - 9.30pm, 21 January Mrs J. Davidson, 7 Chatsworth Rd, London. Cost £30. Gillingham ME7 1DS, 01634 324004 or Archaeological Excavations at Margetts jacalyn.davidson@canterbury-cathedral. For further information contact Joy Sage at Pitt, Kent by Mark Williams, Wessex org. the museum or 01622 762924. Archaeology »» 18 February: Domesday Kent by David Carder KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE VISITS EVENTS AROUND KENT Saturday 30 April »» 18 March: Recent Archaeological Work Trust for Thanet Archaeology in East Kent by Keith Parfitt, Canterbury St Botolph’s, Lullingstone & St Martin Archaeological Trust of Tours, Eynsford Dr David Perkins Memorial Conference »» 15 April: Annual General Meeting 26 March from 2 - 4:30 pm Please meet at 1.45 for 2pm starting »» 20 May: Ordnance Survey Maps - at St Botolph’s (postcode DA4 0JA; Ancient and Modern by Colin Brown grid ref TQ528644. Broadstairs Campus of Canterbury Christchurch University »» 17 June: LiDAR & the Archaeology of Ashdown Forest by Lyn Palmer

6 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk WHAT’S ON

Venue - Kent Police College, off Sutton »» Monday 14 November Road (A274), Maidstone. ‘Despatches from the Home Front’, a talk by Chris McCooey Admission free (non-members £1). »» Monday 12 December ‘A Shopping trip in Downe in a bygone era,’ an illustrated talk by Barbara Bexley Archaeological Group Stevens »» Saturday 26 February Unless otherwise indicated all meetings are ‘Dendrochronology’ with Dr Martin held at Loose Infant School Hall, Loose Bridges (Oxford Dendrochronology Road, Loose, Maidstone, Kent, starting Lab and UCL) at 7.30pm. » TEBUTT RESEARCH FUND » Saturday 12 March Non-members welcome Admission £2.50 ‘Place Names and Local Archaeology’ Grants are available towards research with Sue Harrington (UCL) Pay at the door Free parking in school grounds. into any aspect of the »» Saturday 14 May Dayschool/workshop on ‘The Enquiries, 01622 741198 or Archaeology of Human Evolution’ led www.looseareahistorysociety.webeden.co.uk by Dr Tim Reynolds, Birkbeck WEALDEN IRON To reserve a place on the visits to St All events from 10am - 4.30pm Lawrence Church and Lashenden Air INDUSTRY Cost: £20 (£15 if member of BAG) Warfare Museum contact Jenny Harrison, or subjects pertaining to it Venue - Bexley-Sidcup Conservative Club, [email protected] or 01622 19 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA17 5EB 745067.

To book a place contact: Pip Pulfer, Principal Field Officer, 07961 893693 or Crayford Manor House Historical & [email protected], Archaeological Society www.bag.org.uk »» Saturday 12 March Annual training excavation takes place 1-5 How Charing got its Cross by John August. For further information, contact Pip Halligan Pulfer. »» Saturday 16 April AGM and President’s Lecture Wealden fireback from 1662 Applicants may be individuals or Loose Area History Society All meetings held at The Baker Trust Hall, Maxim Road, Crayford at 7pm for 7.30pm. groups and the application can »» Monday 14 March Non-members welcome to attend at a fee include any associated expenses, ‘The Heartbeat Years’, an illustrated of £3.00 per lecture. talk by Roy Ingleton such as travelling and photocopying. Enquiries to Mrs J. Hearn-Gillham, »» Monday 11 April ‘Old Maidstone Firms Sharp’s Toffee, 01322.551279, or It is anticipated that some £500 plus breweries and Clarkes the Furnishers’, [email protected] will be available from the fund. The a talk by Andrew Clarke applicant should write a letter giving »» Monday 9 May details of themselves together with ‘The History of Loose Allotments’, a talk Canterbury Archaeological Society relevant information concerning the by Molly Procter Ramsey Lecture Theatre, Canterbury research envisaged. »» Monday 13 June at 7.30pm Christ Church University Guided tour of St Lawrence Church, » Mereworth, by Andrew Wells, » Saturday 5 March at 6pm to Investigations at Bekesbourne – the churchwarden and author of a history David Brown, Hon Sec, of the church history of a Kentish village by David Gilmour Wealden Iron Research Group, »» Monday 11 July 11 at 7pm 2 West Street Farm Cottages, Visit to Lashenden Air Warfare Friends of CAT and other visitors most Museum, Headcorn Aerodrome welcome. £2 per lecture. Maynards Green, Heathfield, Sussex TN21 ODG »» Monday 10 October Registered Charity No. 281485 ‘Hazards of the Journey Pilgrimage and Travel’, a talk by Imogen Corrigan

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 7 YOU & YOUR SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP MATTERS New Industrial By the time that you read this, those of you I am very pleased to welcome the following who pay by cheque should have received your new members: Archaeology renewal letter. Thank you very much for the prompt replies – if you have not yet renewed Student Members Committee please do so as soon as possible – saving Miss R McVeagh, Westerham money for the Society by me not having to send out too many reminder letters! Mr T Mitchell, Dunks Green, Tonbridge t a recent meeting of Council it was decided to form a new In view of the current economic climate we Joint Members have decided that subscriptions should stay Mr D Jackson & Ms S Mounce, Eccles committee of the Society to at the present level until at least 2012 so your representA people who are interested in loyalty is even more important. Ordinary Members Industrial Archaeology in the Historic Mr T Croucher, Rainham Please check your bank statements for County of Kent. January to make sure that your subscription Mr R Golds, Chiddingstone Hoath had been paid correctly at the beginning of Mrs A M Hornigold, St Albans, Herts At this meeting the following points the year. Mrs J E Richardson, Tunbridge Wells were raised:- Mr G Stark, Harrietsham If you have any questions about any aspect of membership or would like to have some Mrs S Taft, Hayling Island, Hants Industrial Archaeology covers a wide membership application forms to distribute please get in touch with me. range of activities, not all of which involve the built environment. In fact Shiela Broomfield, 8 Woodview Crescent, many groups exist whose sole interests Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9HD telephone: 01732 838698 email: are in machinery both mobile and [email protected] stationary. Current government policy intends to make greater use of brown field areas for development and this in turn may lead to a greater threat of YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE destruction of industrial sites. This is very much the case as many such sites There are a number of opportunities written consent of the candidate. If have never been listed and assumptions for members to join a KAS Committee there are more candidates than are made by developers that if it’s not and get involved and interested in the vacancies there will be a postal ballot. on the HER then there is nothing there. many archaeological and historical Our President, Chris Pout, will It is of course much easier to look at things happening. Details of the not be seeking re-election. The the record than to investigate. Our Committees – what they do and who Council will nominate a candidate new committee would not be involved to contact – can be found by going to for election as President. However, in legal or planning matters. It was www.kentarchaeology.org.uk and members may put forward their own also felt that it would be valuable to set following the links; or, email secretary@ nominations, as mentioned above. up a regional framework with members kentarchaeology.org.uk. The new President will have the covering different geographical areas challenge of leading the Society in and being in contact with local groups. 2011 A.G.M. Saturday 14th May, an era of great change. Guildhall Museum at Rochester. If you are interested in joining this As well as joining a Committee, as a group please contact Mike Clinch KAS member you can nominate the Further information can be obtained (details to the right) members of the Council and the from the Hon. General Secretary, Peter Stutchbury, Lympne Hall, Lympne, Kent, Society’s officers for election at the The terms of reference for the new CT21 4LQ ; email Annual General Meeting. Any five [email protected]. committee were decided upon as:- members can propose a candidate for Although an application form does not “To promote the study of Industrial election as a member of Council or as have to be used, he can supply a Archaeology within the Historic an officer. Nominations have to be suitable form. The results of the County of Kent. To liaise with other received in writing by the Hon. General elections will be announced at the groups to record and publish details A.G.M. More details of the A.G.M. will Secretary by the 1st March 2011 at the of sites.” be in the April Newsletter. latest and must be accompanied by the In order to get the new group up and

8 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk COMMITTEE ROUND UP running there will be an afternoon particular, the chancel has conference at the Harrietsham richly carved decoration, a Village Hall at 2pm on Saturday fine priest’s door February 19th. and an extremely rare contemporary stained glass If you would like to come along to listen window. Imogen Corrigan or contribute please contact Mike Clinch spoke about the foliate T: 01322 526425, head on the chancel arch’s [email protected]. north capital, and Mary Berg identified possible Cluniac influence in the shape of the arch KAS Churches itself. This reflected Committee Visit the sympathies of the lord of the manor to Brabourne Robert de Vere, who and Aldington gave the church to the North window of the church by Paul Lee nearby Cluniac Horton Priory in 1142. he committee’s last organized The church was visit of 2010, on Saturday subsequently enlarged in 25th September, focused on the late 13th/early14th centuries by the 13th century. Notable contents Ttwo fine medieval churches in the local Scott family. Interesting include a complete set of 15th the area of Kent survivals from that period, century stalls with poppy heads and between Ashford and and up to the Reformation, misericords in the chancel. Folkestone. The include the (empty) The church was restored in 1876 by visitors were welcomed Bethersden marble heart Blomfield, who was the brother of the by the Revd Richard shrine, the log ladder in then incumbent, and it also contains Le Rossignol at the tower and a fine set of some good 19th century stained glass Brabourne and the Scott brasses. by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. Wall Revd Martin Jones at St Martin’s Aldington displays and audiovisual equipment Aldington, and the owes its impressive scale testify to the activities of the 21st committee chair, Mary to the fact that the manor century congregation, members of Chancel from the NW Berg, gave brief talks belonged to the whom kindly provided refreshments on the architectural archbishops of Canterbury to the KAS visitors. history of each from the Norman building. In addition, Mrs Jean conquest up to the Reformation. The Bowden from Court Lodge Farm, visitor’s first sight of the church is of adjacent to Aldington Parish Church, the impressively tall tower, which was spoke about the surviving medieval started by Archbishop Warham in KAS Historic features in her farmhouse which 1507. On the day of the KAS visit, Buildings originated as an archiepiscopal Aldington’s bell tower captain Conference manor house. accompanied visitors to the top to enjoy by Angela Davies St Mary the Virgin’s Brabourne has the magnificent views. The base of the a beautiful setting in a small village at former 11th century tower survives as n audience of around 60 the foot of the . It is an the vestry on the south side of the nave. attended the annual Historic impressive and lofty building with Other Saxon and Norman work can Buildings Conference held on many features surviving from its late be seen in the nave and chancel, Saturday,A 9 October in Harrietsham 12th century construction. In but the church was much extended in Village Hall. The day’s programme

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 9 COMMITTEE ROUND UP

covered a wide range of topics, with been built as recently as the 1920s and presentations on domestic, agricultural, closed down in 1959. As well as KAS Place-names and industrial buildings, from possible explaining how the kilns and associated Day at Rochester Iron Age roundhouses to 20th century buildings on the site were used in the by Anita Thompson lime kilns. process of making lime and quicklime, The first speaker welcomed by he gave an insight on the working life hree distinguished place-name Christopher Proudfoot, Chair of the of the men who were employed there. experts from Nottingham Conference and of the Historic Paula Jardine-Rose talked about the University talked to an Buildings Committee, was David activities of the Wychling, Doddington Tenthralled audience at this sold-out Martin of Archaeology South-East. In & Newnham Historical Research event in November 2010. Dr Paul his presentation, ‘Historic Buildings Group in her presentation: ‘An Cullen started with surnames from the – Linking Documentary and Physical Archaeological Investigation on the 1377 Rochester list, separating them Evidence’, David provided illustrations North Downs’. The recently formed into relationship, nickname, of some houses in the High Weald, and group had been looking for the location occupational and locative names. He invited the audience to consider what of the medieval village of Wychling, emphasised the south-eastern flavour sort of people might have lived in them. with unexpected results. Initial of names with –atte- such as Simon Based on documentary research, he discoveries included possible Iron Age atte hale and -ere used as a locative went on to describe who had actually roundhouses and a dew pond, although (Bridger, a man living near a bridge). lived in them - in some instances quite so far little evidence of the site of a He said how useful the British 19th a surprise. David demonstrated how medieval settlement could be found. century surname atlas had been to him significant the work of the documentary Roger Cockett, newly appointed when mapping names. It is on sale from historian was in establishing coordinator of the Peopling Past www.archersoftware.co.uk at £12.99. the evolution of buildings and.stressed Landscapes Project, summarised the Dr Jayne Carroll spoke about mint how much could be gained by history of the project since its launch. names on Anglo-Saxon coins, and how documentary and physical research Then, looking to the future, he in the small compass of the silver penny being carried out together. described the shift in focus to study lie 87 early forms of place-name, 11 of David Carder, member of the KAS the people in the PPL transect from which are unrecorded elsewhere. They Historic Buildings Committee, then 1066 to the 1860s: what they did, were made by artisans using spoken spoke on ‘Kent’s Agricultural Building where they lived, and how the different forms, less archaic than contemporary Heritage’. David pointed out that not landscapes affected people’s lives. manuscript spelling. She gave us an only did Kent have some outstanding The findings of the research interpretation of ‘Rochester’, derived old agricultural buildings but also access would be recorded on a KAS not from the spurious warleader Hrof for examination was usually much database and on the KCC Historic but from the Roman name ‘Durobri- easier than for dwellings. He focussed Environment Record. vum’, with the accent on the second on two types of agricultural building Finally, after a lively discussion syllable not the first. An unsuspected in which Kent was particularly session, the day was rounded off with ‘Ro-‘ appeared. rich: barns and oasthouses. a visit to St. Margaret’s Church. The Dr John Baker tackled Anglo-Saxon He explained how they functioned, majority of the audience made the warfare and governance, studying the and gave advice on how to date them journey to Wychling, where the group map for strongholds, meeting places by examining various features and styles was welcomed to by the Rev. Richard and beacons by using geography of the buildings. Frost. After a tour, Peter Draper shared together with place-names. Beacons by After lunch came presentations on the results of his research on the history, definition lie in high places, the same the activities of two local archaeological architectural features, and contents of places in Anglo-Saxon times as in 1588. groups. First, Albert Daniels of the this remote little church. Pepinbury (now Pembury) is named Maidstone Area Archaeological Group, His animated presentation also for a watchman. I had to look who spoke on ‘The Limekilns of offered a glimpse into the social history at the high places round the hospital Charing’. Albert gave a fascinating of the parish, and even put forward a to be convinced. description of work done to clear and theory on the missing settlement of Dr Paul Cullen’s final talk was about record a set of limekilns, which had Wychling. the Rochester area. He touched on

10 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk COMMITTEE ROUND UP

Celtic roots (very few) and Roman, some Continental history and collection of papers from and ended the day by emphasising the archaeological associations. a Colloquium at Ostende-Rafersijde narrowness of Anglo-Saxon definitions. Runs of journals in this fourth in Vlandeeren in November 2003 A holt, for instance, is a managed stream constitute a major part of the dealing with ‘Fishery, Trade and Piracy, single-species wood. A cliff must slope stock of the society’s library, and come Fishermen’s Settlements in and around 45 degrees or above. A hythe is a river from county Societies with a wide the North Sea Area in the Middle Ages landing, while a ford is never tidal. Any range of topics with similar aims to and Later’, and many aspects of place named –church was visible from that of the KAS, such Sussex, and these settlements are studied in a long way away. This was an Surrey, and from national bodies, such the Colloquium. excellent day. as the British Archaeological I remind you that the KAS Library Association, with a broader national is in Maidstone Museum on St Faiths view. Other more specialist titles such Street, Maidstone. Access to the Library as the Numismatic Chronicle and the may be gained by KAS Members at any Brass Rubbing Society are time the Museum is open, by The KAS Library also available. Many of these presentation of a KAS membership and its coverage journal runs extend back to the mid card and signing at the Museum front Article by Frank Panton, 19th century. desk. A catalogue and a written guide Hon Librarian, assisted The bulk of these runs have been are available in the Library to help you by Pernille Richards received under reciprocal agreements, to locate items on the shelves. The book and John Walters. in exchange for copies of catalogue is also online. Should you KAS publications, as have find that the item you want to consult n my work as Hon Librarian, I am a selection of journal runs from is not in the Library Room in the constantly impressed by the Europe - German, Dutch, Swedish Museum but is lodged in one of the uniquely wide coverage of subjects and Flemish societies. The volumes Library’s stores, please contact the Hon Iand activities relevant to the Society’s from the Continent are usually Librarian to arrange access. Similarly, aims and objectives which have been profusely illustrated with high quality non-KAS members requiring access to built up over the 150 years of the plates, maps and diagrams, the Library should also contact me. Society’s existence. In this short article and often have summaries in English. I do hope I have encouraged you to I hope similarly to impress the readers, These volumes provide a good visit the Library when you are next in and to encourage them to take opportunity for keeping in touch with Maidstone, to sample its riches. advantage of the facilities offered by recent research on the Continent, the Library’s Collections. which often includes English or even A small selection of journal titles from the Basically, the Library’s collection of Kentish material, and demonstrates Library :- books and pamphlets may be considered an increasing development of a trans- »» Archaeologia in the following main streams. First, continental (trans-manche) approach there is an extensive number of books to historical and archaeological »» Archaeological Journal by the Royal Institute of Archaeology and pamphlets on the history and studies. As an example of this, Dr archaeology of Kentish towns, villages, Ronald Bockius, in Des Romisch- »» Bonner Jahrbücher hamlets and places, shelved Germanisch Zentral Mueums Mainz, »» Britannia alphabetically by location; second, has explored the idea of a potential »» Essex Archaeology and History books and pamphlets on Kentish Mediterranean influence on the »» Journal of Roman Studies history and archaeology more generally, European Shipbuilding Tradition over »» Journal of the British Archaeological shelved by subject; third, volumes on the centuries. Several British finds are Association the study and practice of history and included in his distribution analysis »» L’Institut Archaeologique Liegeois archaeology; and fourth, a collection illustration, including the Dover Boat. of runs of journals of UK national and Another item, which could potentially »» Revue Historique de Dunkerque other UK county and local historical inspire studies of Kentish localities, is »» Surrey Archaeological Collections and archaeological Societies, in Monograph 6 of Archaeologia in »» Sussex Archaeological Collections together with runs of publications of Vlaanderen, which contains a

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 11 NOTES FROM THE ARCHIVE by Pernille Richards

A section of the Early Iron Age ditch on the NW side looking SW, below the waterworks site, June 1934

EXCAVATIONS AT MILL HILL, DEAL by W.P.D. Stebbing

“ This ridge at the cross roads with give a valuable visual impression regarding an analysis of the finds from its Bronze-early Iron Age-trenches, of the site and the excavation the site is also among the papers. Belgic occupation sites and cemetery methods employed. Christopher Hawkes was of the opinion with pedestal vases, its evidence of The story starts in the dry summer that the finds were predominantly Late Roman occupation, and its Jutish of 1928 when crop marks were Bronze Age. burials should have been reserved as an noticeable in the oats on the slope Aerial photographs of the area were archaeological park but the area, long between Deal Waterworks and Deal taken with the assistance of Mr. O.G. only occupied by a mill and the miller’s Cemetery. Mr. Cecil Knox, later Vice S. Crawford, F.S.A. and the images house, now sees scores of houses in Chairman of Deal and District Local revealed two further circular ditches of permanent possession” (W.P.D. History and Research Society, roughly the same size close by. Stebbing Stebbing, Arch. Cant. LX, 1947) investigated the site and found a section and Knox had hoped to continue of a circular V-shaped ditch in a small excavating the following year, but it W.P. D. Stebbing (1873 – 1961) wrote excavation. The ditch was found to be was not until the spring of 1934 that about the estate built in the 1930s on 6-7 feet deep and estimated to be 16 work resumed on the site. Stebbing the eastern slope of Mill Hill, Deal, feet wide with a diameter of 83 feet. learnt that The First National Housing where he undertook a series of Small finds consisting of animal bones, Trust were to build on the site as part excavations. He published his findings including skulls of large dogs, and of a housing scheme for miners. They in Arch. Cant. between 1929 and 1947, fragments of pottery were found. gave permission to excavate the parts but these were short notices and not Stebbing initially dated the material to of the site not immediately affected by illustrated. A number of photographs the early Iron Age, but years later construction work. Excavation work and negatives from the 1934 excavation revised this to Late Bronze Age-early commenced on the 10th of March have been found among his papers in Iron Age. The star find was fragments 1934 and continued until July 13th PMP Box 13. Many of these of a large storage jar with a finger- where more of the ditch, first opened photographs were taken by John imprinted rim. Cecil Knox built a by Cecil Knox, was exposed. Stebbing Archibald and some by Mr. Pearce. restoration of this jar and a photo of employed an un-named local man, who Despite some technical shortcomings this is among the papers. had previously done excavation work these photos add an extra dimension Correspondence with Christopher at Richborough Castle, and it may be to the already published account and Hawkes of the British Museum this man who appears in many of the

12 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk EXCAVATIONS AT MILL HILL, DEAL

1934 photos. In an article in The Times, August 7th 1934, Stebbing says that there was insufficient time and money to expose the entire ditch or much of the interior of the feature. The photographs show the excavation work taking place while the houses are, quite literally, being built around the excavators. Stebbing does not appear to have excavated the two circular features found by aerial photography in 1928, although it is difficult to be certain of this as he does not give exact map A section of the Early Iron Age ditch on the NW side looking SW, below the waterworks site, June 1934 references in his papers and refers to the site simply as “The Trench at the top of Mill Hill.” He did apparently excavate sections, which he believed to be part of the original ditch, over the Mrs Archibald in the ditch years, for instance in 1938 during the construction of an air raid precaution trench in St. Richard’s Road. In April 1947 a ‘Belgic’ rubbish pit was discovered on the northern side of proved right in his assessment of the that Keith Parfitt and the Dover Mill Hill, by the junction with St. richness of the archaeology in the area. Archaeological Group discovered a Richard’s Road during construction However, the housing needs of the fascinating site, including many Iron work. Stebbing wrote this up and living have helped uncover other Age burials, prior to the development finished with the comment quoted at archaeological treasures in the area. It of houses in the years 1984-1989. the beginning of this article. He was was very close to Stebbing’s old sites

Exposing the ditch, with the building site in the background

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 13 FOLKESTONE ROMAN VILLA Report on excavations 2010 by Keith Parfitt

The Scheduled Roman villa site above between the north-east wing of Block historical project entitled ‘A Town East Wear Bay at Folkestone overlooks A and the cliff edge. By 2010 coastal Unearthed: Folkestone Before 1500’ the , with clear views erosion had reduced this figure to (ATU). Investigation of the East Wear across to the French coast, some 36km 2.25m (Fig 2). Work in 1989 established Bay site was planned as a major distant. The villa here was first that part of Block C was already component of this project during 2010 discovered and excavated by Samuel destroyed. The entire villa complex is and 2011, led by Canterbury Winbolt in 1923–4 (Winbolt 1925; thus at risk of loss in the short to Archaeological Trust, working in Fig 1) and remained open until 1957, medium term. Finds previously made association with Canterbury Christ when it was backfilled due to its poor on the foreshore below the site have Church University and the Folkestone state and declining visitor numbers. included quantities of Iron Age and People’s History Centre. Additional The complex comprised a large Roman coins and pottery (Holman funding for the project has come from winged-corridor house (Block A) with 2005; Weston 2005), together with the KAS and the Roger De Haan an adjacent corridor house (Block B) numerous examples of quernstones, Charitable Trust. set at a right angle to it. A bath-suite many unfinished (Keller 1988, 59–68; Fieldwork for 2010 began with a (Block C) lay immediately beyond Keller 1989, 193–200). Taken together, geophysical survey, undertaken in June. Block B. Traces of Iron Age activity the evidence demonstrates the existence Excavations started in August and lasted were located below the villa remains. of a highly significant archaeological until the end of October. More than The only excavations undertaken since site on the adjacent cliff-top, which 200 volunteers participated and over Winbolt’s time were those conducted is being steadily eroded by the sea. The two thousand members of the public by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit Roman villa forms just one element visited the site, together with around in 1989, when the remains of Block C of this site, which clearly has pre- 400 school children. Work focussed on the cliff-edge, together with the Conquest origins. on the north-east wing of Block A, south-eastern end of Block B, were In December 2009 the Heritage nearest the cliff, together with a re-examined, with some useful results Lottery Fund awarded grant funding previously undug area immediately to (Philp 1990). of £298,000 to conduct a three year the north-east. Five test-trenches were In 1924 about 30 metres of land lay community archaeological and

General view of the 1924 excavations, looking north - Fig 1

14 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Excavation of the North-East Wing of the villa in 2010 - Fig 2

High-level view of the 2010 excavations - Fig 3

also cut to the north of the villa. These Previous research (Keller 1988; 1989) revealed significant stratified deposits has established that such querns were than a simple farmstead. Located and features, mostly dating to the late being manufactured at the site and this virtually at the shortest sea crossing to Iron Age and Roman periods. was fully borne out in 2010, when two the Continent, it seems highly likely The re-exposed villa foundations working floors were located in one that this site on the south-east Kent were found to be reasonably well of the outlying trenches. coast was acting as a port of trade with preserved. They were confirmed as The archaeological deposits present the Roman world during the first relating to two successive buildings on the site are considerably more century BC. The next season of (Villa I and Villa II; Fig 3) occupying extensive and complex than previously excavation is being awaited with great the same site, as previously reported by realised. The finds suggest that anticipation. KAS members will be Winbolt. Below these remains were habitation in the area occurred at most welcome to join in. found important pre-Roman deposits various times throughout prehistory, and structures, mostly dating to the beginning in the Mesolithic. The main Bibliography late Iron Age and largely untouched by period of occupation, however, was »» Holman, D., 2005 ‘Iron Age coinage the earlier digging. The primary clays during the late Iron Age, perhaps and settlement in east Kent’, Britannia over the natural produced quantities c.150BC–AD50. The first of the two 36, 1−54. General view of the 1924 excavations, looking north - Fig 1 of early prehistoric pottery and Roman villa buildings was probably »» Keller, P.T., 1988 ‘The evidence for flintwork. A late Iron Age curving gully erected sometime before the end of the ancient quern production at Folkestone’, Kent Archaeological dug into these clays seemingly first century AD. Whether there was Review 93, 59−68. represented the drainage ditch enclosing a gap between the final occupation of »» Keller, P.T., 1989 ‘Quern production at a timber roundhouse. It was overlain the Iron Age site and the construction Folkestone, South-East Kent: An by a rough chalk floor, probably relating of this villa presently remains unclear. interim note’, Britannia 20, 193−200. to a subsequent building, cut through The pre-Roman settlement clearly »» Philp, B.J., 1990 ‘Excavations on the by the earliest villa foundations. covered an area considerably larger than Roman villa at Folkestone 1989’, Kent Substantial quantities of finds were the villa complex; an unknown amount Archaeological Review 99, 206–209. recovered, including some important must already have been lost to the sea. »» Weston, A., 2005 ‘First century samian pottery and flint assemblages. A total The quantity of Iron Age coins and pottery from East Wear Bay, Folkestone’, Kent Archaeological of 23 coins was discovered, of which imported pottery now known, most Review 161, 11–14. thirteen are Iron Age. Many fragments notably imported Italian wine »» Winbolt, S.E., 1925 Roman Folkestone of quernstone were also collected, all amphorae of Dressel 1 type, implies (London: Methuen). but one made from the local greensand. that this site was of rather higher status Fig 3 - High-level view of the 2010 excavations showing two phases of Roman foundation(taken showing two phases of Roman from excavations Leonard a kite by Ochiltree) view of the 2010 Fig 3 - High-level

www.kentarchaeology.org.uk - Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter 15 Fig 2

Fig 1

KENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESCUE UNIT 40 years in Dover Have you just joined the Society? Do you wish you could In July last year the Kent Archaeological excavations – on the Classis Britannica, collect all the back issues Rescue Unit celebrated its 40th year of the Painted House (Fig 1) and the of Archaeologia Cantiana? rescue archaeology in Dover. Way back Saxon town. in July 1970, the Unit responded to Brian Philp, founder and director the threat of development and of the Unit, who lives 75 miles away undertook an eight week operation on from Dover, commented “Had I known the York Street bypass cutting through that the project would over-run by 39 the west side of the ancient town, years and 44 weeks, I might have locating the Roman shore-fort of bought a house in Dover to save over Dubris. Beneath this they found the 300,000 miles in weekly travel! But it Classis Britannica fort with some walls has been a great pleasure to lead the Now you can have 125 volumes still standing 3m high, resulting in the team in this long voyage of discovery”. of Archaeologia Cantiana at the lifting of the proposed road (A20) by The Unit held an open weekend to amazingly low cost of £31 for nearly 2m so that the remains celebrate their 40 years of work. Many individual members and £76 for were preserved. of their original team members came institutional members on the KAS The site of the Roman Painted along and over 200 people enjoyed the Sesquicentennial DVD. House, destined to be a multi-storey guided tours. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– car park, was another site saved from The Mayor of Dover presented Brian To order your copy, send a cheque an ignominious fate. This is now a Philp and George Ruck, both Trustees payable to Kent Archaeological well-known tourist attraction. Over of the Roman Painted House, with the Society to Peter Tann, Town Place, the next three decades, the Unit town badge (Fig 2). Belmont, Nr Faversham ME13 0HE. produced three volumes on the Dover

If undelivered, please return to The editor wishes to draw attention to the fact that EDITOR: LYN PALMER S. Broomfield, 8 Woodview Crescent, neither she nor the Council of the KAS are answerable 55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QU Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9HD for opinions which contributors may express in their Telephone: 01892 533661 Email: evelyn.palmer@ signed articles; each author is alone responsible for virgin.net or [email protected] Copy deadline for the next issue is 1st March 2011 the contents and substance of their work.

16 Winter 2010/11 - KAS Newsletter - www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME14 1LH.