№ 110 Winter 2018

THE OLDEST AND LARGEST SOCIETY DEVOTED TO THE HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ANCIENT COUNTY OF KENT

Lynsted Fort Amherst Iron Age custom and belief Kent’s literary heritage Excavation of a Uncovering a Napoleonic Interpreting Kent’s An untapped mine V2 rocket fortification ancient finds of local history XX XX XX XX

2018 UPDATE LEES COURT ESTATE President Hon. Curator Dr Gerald Cramp Dr Elizabeth Blanning [email protected] Vice Presidents Mr L.M. Clinch Hon. Librarian Mr R.F. Legear Ruiha Smalley [email protected] Hon. General Secretary Clive Drew Press [email protected] Dr Simon Elliott [email protected] Hon. Treasurer Barrie Beeching Safeguarding [email protected] David Brooks [email protected] Hon. Membership Secretary Mrs Shiela Broomfield Newsletter [email protected] Richard Taylor 87 Darnley Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0SQ Hon. Editor [email protected] Terry G. Lawson [email protected]

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the Winter 2018 Newsletter. The Newsletter remains an outlet for this fantastic heritage and the tremendous work going on out there. Following a busy summer, we have a bumper issue It exists so that you, the membership, may communicate packed with abundant and intriguing fieldwork, historical a broad range of topics devoted to the history and research projects and discussion. It seems such a archaeology of Kent. I continue to encourage as many long time ago that I was surveying in the scorching members as possible to think about writing articles and summer heat at Lees Court Estate. Indeed, much help inform the broader historical and archaeological of that warm weather held out until late September community of what is taking place in our heritage-rich enabling us to successfully carry out excavations and diverse county. Please continue to forward articles at Wood Court Field and Stringmans Field. Shortly or notices to [email protected] after that, I was excavating at a fascinating site at Fort Amherst in Chatham. What struck me most at Enjoy this issue and Season’s Greetings to all readers. both locations, however, was the invaluable efforts of the many volunteers that took part, and made both Best wishes, projects so successful. Following positive experiences Richard Taylor at these projects, it is equally rewarding to see so many new members joining the Society. For me, the best way to increase the Society’s membership is engagement - get people involved, try new activities, learn new skills and make contributions to our County’s fantastic archaeological and historical heritage.

The editor wishes to draw attention to the fact that neither he nor the KAS Council are answerable for opinions which contributors may express in their signed articles; each author is alone responsible for the contents and substance of their work.

02 | Kent Archaeological Society FRONT COVER PHOTO CREDIT? № 110 Winter 2018 CONTENTS

FEATURES Lynsted V2 Rocket Excavation 06 Allen Grove Local History Fund 10 William Somner, Kentish Scholar 14 Kent’s Literary Heritage: A (Largely) Untapped Mine 17 A Glimpse into Iron Age Custom and Belief 20 Dowsing at Springhead near Gravesend in the 1950s 22 Excavations at Fort Amherst 23 The Ian Coulson Annual Bursary 30 Lees Court Estate: 2018 Excavations 33 A Thank You from Lady Sondes 33 Excavations in Woods Court Field, September 2018 34 Site Administration 36 Geophysics at Lees Court Estate 37 Estate and Farming View of Archaeological Digs 38 Stringmans Field Excavations 2018 39 Lees Court Estate 2018 42

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REGULAR President’s Column 04 Cobham Landscape Detectives 05 An Interview With... Lucie Bolton 12 Letters to the Editor 13 The Finds Corner 15 Membership Matters 32 Notices 44

Winter 2018 | 03 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN The CIO Status is nearly here

The culmination of the process started by my The Allen Grove Local History Fund has made grants predecessor Ian Coulson and Peter Stutchbury of over £3,000 to five local history projects this year. in 2014 is almost here. The existing Society will Applications are now invited for grants to be awarded merge with the KAS Charitable Incorporated in 2019. Kent is fortunate in having many thriving local Organisation (CIO) on 1st January 2019. historical and archaeological projects, but in general, the County’s heritage is under threat from many quarters. During September the Society continued its archaeological excavations at Lees Court Estate near Sevenoaks District Council has produced its Draft Faversham confirming the presence of a multi-period Local Development Plan and, as the document Prehistoric settlement. As reported in this edition of had little archaeological content, I wrote to them the Newsletter, the excavations were supervised by emphasising that archaeological assessment Keith Parfitt and the University of Kent, at Wood Court remains a material aspect in the planning process. Field and Stringmans Field respectively, and carried During my brief research, I noticed that authorities out by many volunteers from across the county. such as Ashford District Council, do include an Further work over the summer at a second possible site Evidence for earlier activity proved the highlight of our archaeological history of their district: a practice I for Henhurst Manor, drew a blank for medieval activity, summer season! Working at Owletts, a National Trust The Membership Secretary reports that nearly would encourage all planning authorities to follow. so Jeskyns Court remains our favoured candidate. property west of the village, the team excavated a Gallo 40 new members have joined the Society Belgic site, recording ditches, pits and metalworking since the last issue of the newsletter. We must Museums have been a significant repository of the Moving into the village, we gained permission from evidence. In the field next door, geophys suggested continue our efforts to recruit members. County’s historical and archaeological heritage. In the Forestry Commission to geophys and test pit an extension to this settlement and a quantity of the past few years, museums at Bromley, Gravesend a second possible Manor site, known as North Roman building material indicated a building nearby. In my last column, I reported that Paul Oldham, a and Canterbury have closed, and one of the museum Court. Despite some promising resistivity results former President of this Society, assisted Brian Philp buildings in Rochester sold. The Canterbury Heritage and a single late medieval pottery sherd, we must In this summary of current progress, I have not in the formation of the Kent Archaeological Research Museum, which told the history of Canterbury, is wait till 2019 to groundtruth the Res further. had a chance to detail further work on our post- Groups Council in 1965, which later became the a significant loss. It is sad to see that during this medieval Great House site at the east end of the Council for Kentish Archaeology (CKA). It is with period of financial restraint, the County’s historical At the east end of the village, the volunteers village. Nor the input and continued support from regret, and I have to report that the CKA has been and archaeological heritage is at risk. Nevertheless, investigated the grounds of Cobhambury House. the North Downs Young Archaeologists Club. dissolved. The CKA has served the County well for it is pleasing to report that the Maidstone Museum This was the location of a further possible Manor Credit, however, must be given to all the landscape over 50 years with its extensive work on numerous has produced its 20-year plan for consultation, and I site, with medieval remains again proving elusive. detectives; whose continued enthusiasm and archaeological sites throughout the County. hope the Society and Maidstone Museum continues As in all great archaeology tales, a significant flint professionalism drives this project forwards. its association, one which dates back to 1858. and chalk foundation structure of some age did During the summer, the Shorne Woods Archaeological appear towards the very end of the dig. This will For further information on the project, do contact Group (SWAG) continued its excavations in the Gerald Cramp, President also require further investigation in 2019! Although Andrew Mayfield, [email protected], see village of Cobham and at Spur Battery, Fort Amherst. the Manor sites remain somewhat elusive, we are www.facebook.com/archaeologyinkent, or Both excavations have produced impressive refining our understanding of their relative locations. @ArchaeologyKent on Twitter and our website results which are detailed in separate articles. www.shornewoodsarchaeology.co.uk In Cobham village, many residents allowed us to investigate their gardens further. On the south Acknowledgements side of the village, we recorded fourteenth- Aerial view image courtesy of Dean Barkley century activity and a possible boundary ditch. On the north side, we recorded a pit, with further COBHAM LANDSCAPE evidence for early fourteenth-century activity. The village itself is stubbornly refusing to reveal any earlier medieval activity. The church dates to the DETECTIVES 12th century, but we have yet to see this early date in the wider village archaeology. There is also no sign, as yet, of earlier Saxon, Roman or Prehistory Welcome to the latest Cobham Landscape Detectives Investigations kicked off in June, with a number of activity ‘under’ the village. Great minds have dwelt on project update! Following on from the mammoth West test pits dug at Jeskyns Court, west of Cobham these conundrums! The current school of thought Park survey, featured in newsletter 109, the summer village. Research indicated that this could be the is that the village may have developed on the joins fieldwork season aimed to answer two questions: site of the lost medieval manor of Henhurst. A tour between Henhurst, North Court, Cobhambury, of the current house suggested that we could be Cobham and a further manor at Vyaundes (south of Firstly, could we identify the location of a looking at fourteenth-century timbers in the roof of the village), focused around an implanted Church, number of the lost medieval manor sites the building. Is the medieval manor still standing? originally appendant to Shorne Church. As to the within our project area? Secondly, could we One of the test pits also yielded medieval pottery, lack of pre-medieval activity, it is possible that the push back the dating of Cobham village? with the rest revealing post-medieval activity. whole area was wooded, with earlier activity focused on the ridges to the east and west of the village.

04 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 05 LYNSTED V2 ROCKET EXCAVATION

By Colin Welch

fragments of the missile were By 1944, the German war machine identified in and around the crater, The Lynsted V2 impacted at Phase 1 excavation Opposite, top was reaching its technological zenith. Adolf Hitler vaporisation must have occurred. 08:10hrs on 17th February 1945 in Picture of rocket a small dry valley field 350 metres In 2017, following landowner Opposite, bottom Fig 1: 1946 aerial photograph showing placed both faith and considerable resources in the Small fragments of a V2 found east of St.Peter and St.Paul’s approval, and the encouragement the Lynstead V2 crater, courtesy of Kent development of new weapons to attack Britain, in and around an impact crater church. The bomb census report of the Lynsted with Kingsdown County Council primarily the flying bomb or “Doodlebug” (V1) and at Lynsted, near Sittingbourne, from the time states that the Society, a detailed excavation Above, top generated interest for the historical L.R.R. (Long Range Rocket) “fell strategy was tabled and excavation Fig 2: Evaluation trench of the crash site rocket (V2). Both weapons would leave an indelible analysis and archaeological team, in (an) arable field about 250 yds. using a mechanical digger in 2016 Research Resource, specialists in from nearest building (a school), undertaken between 8th – 11th Above, bottom mark on the British psyche for many generations. the study of the V-weapons and the causing slight tile, glass and ceiling April 2017. The objective being to Fig 3: Lynstead V2 detonation layer at 5.5 metres depth, Phase 1 excavation. As the allies attacked German- the V2 was the first man-made associated countermeasure battle. damage to (the) nearest building, clear the crater of infill, describe held territory from the west, they object to reach space. Its trajectory Run by the author and his brother, and slight glass and tile damage its profile and carefully search began to overrun sites in France took it to an altitude of 50 miles, Sean Welch, Research Resource up to about 500 yds. A thorough for any remaining V2 wreckage. and Belgium that had been built reentering the atmosphere under its has accumulated an archive that search was done for fragments with to launch these new weapons. momentum to impact at vast speed has enabled the construction of markings, but only small fragments The first fragments of V2 wreckage, The knowledge that Germany had to explode with the detonation of a point-sensitive animated time- without markings were found.” discovered at a depth of 4 metres, been developing V-weapons had 1 metric ton of high explosive. At sequence computer programme, The form states that the missile included components of the been a secret amongst intelligence the impact site, little would remain. documenting every V1 and V2 exploded (X), creating a crater warhead baseplate surround. and Cabinet circles since 1943, RAF teams responsible for formally that landed in England during 57’ x 18’ deep (17.37m x 5.48m). At a depth of 5.5 m to 5.7m, a and an allied bombing campaign recording the details of each V2 1944 and 1945. The ‘film’ runs for central ‘plug’ shape was visible, delayed and then hindered the impact, noting features such as some four minutes, and shows the containing evidence of exposure V1 programme. Despite this, date, time, location, casualties, impact of the various phases of the Evaluation excavation to intense heat in the form of approximately 9,500 “Doodlebugs” means of ordnance identification, offensive, and can be discriminated fused metalwork and soil, possible were launched against England crater size, extent of the blast, to highlight the component In July 2016, with landowner indications of detonation. Below from 1944 to 1945, calling for an and damage to property, would elements of attack and defence. permission, a magnetometer survey this, there appeared to be clean increasingly co-ordinated defence. comment that since only small indicated large magnetic responses bedrock chalk. Further evidence The introduction of the close- in an area that corresponded to for detonation occurring at proximity fuse anti-aircraft shell, what appeared to be an impact site this depth is corroborated by gun-laying radar and the careful on a 1946 aerial photograph (Fig 1). the bomb census report. positioning of fast fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft operating zones In October 2016 an evaluation The finds appeared to be from the quenched the main offensive by trench 1.5m wide and 3m deep front section of the weapon. They September 9th 1944, prompting was then cut into the north- included sections of the warhead Duncan Sandys (Chair of War western edge of the crater baseplate, electrical components Cabinet Committee against using a mini-digger, successfully and associated materials from V-weapons) to proclaim that the defining the crater edge profile the control compartment situated battle against the V1 had been won. as it met the rising land of the behind the warhead, a gas bottle, In secret, however, the authorities north-west side of the valley. The parts of the liquid oxygen and knew that an offensive by another trench revealed that the large alcohol tanks and a section of new weapon was likely to be magnetic responses were due the permanganate tank. Analysis launched. Less than three days later, to buried domestic and farmyard of the finds suggest that 153.5kg the first of 1,119 V2 rockets struck. rubbish, but no V2 wreckage. (5%) of the 3150kg (dry weight) of the V2 was retrieved, but none There was no defence against the of these finds included heavy V2 once launched. Travelling at items from the tail section. three times the speed of sound,

06 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 07 Right, top to bottom Fig 9: Part of the V2 turbo pump Fig 10: Remains of the V2 turbo pump central drive shaft Fig 11: Burner cup from V2 combustion chamber Fig 12: Inspection approval stamp on the V2 turbo pump component

A 3-dimensional model was After consideration of the model built to understand the work and trajectory, it was noted that undertaken, showing the crater, the areas behind and in front of the excavation extent, and to the trajectory of the missile leading evaluate the trajectory of the to the central detonation point V2 in relation to the finds. had not been fully excavated and a further search was proposed The missile was launched at using a mechanical excavator 08.06hrs GMT on 17th February 1945, by Artillerie-Abteilung 1./485 from a mobile launch pad in the Phase 2 excavation Statenkwartier of Den Haag, Netherlands. The target, London, Phase 2 excavation took place on a bearing of 255° (from Den between 11th-13th May 2018. At a Haag). However, according to radar point 3 metres deep, on the south- plot returns, the Lynsted V2, for western side of the crater, past some reason achieved a trajectory the detonation centre and in line bearing of 249°, somewhat off- with the incoming trajectry, half target. The most likely explanation a metre into the crater wall, gas for this error was that the V2 was on bottle remains were discovered. a steady, but faulty trajectory, from The bedrock below the central launch (Fig 5) Given the trajectory detonation was also excavated. At and a belief that there must be 9.5 metres depth, some 3 metres more of the missile in the ground north-west of the centre, at a Above Left at Lynsted, there was much debate 125° tangent from the incoming Fig 4: 3D model of the Phase 1 excavation about where the heavy items had trajectory, the shattered remains XX ended up? Most contributors to the of the turbo pump embedded in Fig 5: Radar plot returns for the Lynstead debate believed that considering V2, fired from Den Haag 08.06hrs GMT the chalk. At a depth of 6.5 metres, 17th February 1945 the immense forces, further through the crater wall to a point XX wreckage would be in line with perpendicular to the outer rim of the Fig 6: Section showing the contours of the Conclusions The designer’s hope for the V2 was A recent study of a V1 missile the trajectory, either in front of crater, we recovered the remains Phase 1 April 2017 excavated crater, and that it would explode on the surface impact at Ham Street, Kent, or behind the detonation point. of the combustion chamber. some of the remaining infill in situ The excavations resulted in to create maximum blast damage. showed the same tangential effect XX interesting conclusions. In the However, because the missile of heavier finds in relation to the Fig 7: Plan view of the Phase 1 April 2017 final analysis, a further 533.5kg was travelling supersonically, and incoming trajectory. Comparing excavated crater showing the areas fully the fuse train for detonation was the physical and archival evidence excavated (green) (17%) of material in the phase 2 XX project, including 279kg (50.72%) subsonic, it punctured the ground between the V2 and the V1, it Fig 8: Phase 2, May 2018, impact of the combustion chamber was to a depth of 5.5 metres before fully is clear that due to the slower crater and finds analysis plan recovered, resulting in a combined detonating. The heavy components speed (400-450mph), the V1 finds weight of 687kg (21.80%). of the V2 continued moving forward was the more effective surface Work is ongoing to conserve under their momentum, but the blast weapon, and had the enemy the Phase 2 finds. In general, energy release from the impact been able to bring it to readiness their condition is moderately and detonation deflected them earlier, the ensuing “Second Battle good since the chalk had sealed from the main trajectory. Under the of Britain’ (as we have come to them at great depth where immense pressure of the impact, believe that it was) would have oxidisation could not occur. the chalk was reduced to a tooth- been more difficult to overcome. paste like liquid which absorbed and sealed the finds in the bedrock with no visible trace of their path.

08 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 09 Humphrey Repton in Kent She worked tirelessly throughout By Kent Gardens Trust the first war setting up and ALLEN GROVE LOCAL supporting the War Hospital Supply As part of a country-wide Depot at Homewood; she organised celebration of the work of the the National Egg Collection scheme 19th-century landscape gardener in the town and surrounding villages; HISTORY FUND Humphrey Repton, the Kent she raised vast amounts of money Gardens Trust research team have for various local charities and good produced a beautifully illustrated causes – all a rehearsal for what book describing Repton’s five she achieved when she moved President’s legacy has supported commissions in Kent, with a short to Canterbury in 1924. She lived introduction to his life and artistic in the Cathedral Precincts with principles. Humphrey Repton in her father. In 1928 Margaret was local history for 24 years Kent is a companion volume to appointed the Secretary, Steward Capability Brown in Kent. It is 140 and Treasurer of The Friends By Paul Tritton pages long and will interest not only of Canterbury Cathedral, and is garden historians but for anyone credited with raising over a hundred Five local history projects received The book will publicise the early the sale of his house to the KAS, keen to know more about the thousand pounds for various grants in 2018 from our Allen histories of churches that were with instructions that the society social history of the county and the cathedral projects. This is the Grove Local History Fund. Every thought to have been lost, and should invest the legacy and lives of the leading figures of the equivalent of £1.65 million in today’s year the society awards more help local historians with their distribute the interest in ways that time. The research has revealed The Urgent Miss money. In 1937 she was awarded than £3,000, apportioned among research into their churches. would promote the enjoyment of fascinating and hitherto unknown Babington the OBE ‘for services to the individuals, groups, organisations Kent’s local history (including that contemporary letters and drawings cathedral’. She wrote a bestseller By Eleanor Bliss and students, to help cover the cost Kent Gardens Trust: £750 towards of the London Boroughs of Bexley, and has made extensive use of – The Romance of Canterbury of research, publications, exhibitions a book on five properties in Kent Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, Repton’s famous Red Books. Cathedral. She was the driving and other projects focused on on which Humphry Repton, the last which were once part of the county). Who would have thought that force, along with Dean George Kent’s history and heritage. great English landscape designer Copies are available through a few lines from a story in 1917 Bell, behind the first Canterbury of the eighteenth century, worked The first grants were made 24 ww.kentgardenstrust.org.uk and all would start me off on a research Festivals. Queen Elizabeth II sent The successful applicants (Bayham, Cobham, Kippington, years ago, in 1994, mainly to good bookshops, priced £10 (Kent project which has now culminated, a message of condolence to her in 2018 were: Montreal and Vinters) and five support the publication of books Garden Trust members £8), postage seven years later, in me writing a family and friends when she died, others with which he is associated. and booklets but also for displays and packaging £3.50 extra. Kent book? It was the last thing on my and she was honoured by having Eleanor Bliss, who received £250 in heritage centres, for oral Garden rust members may obtain mind when I signed up with my two memorial plaques placed in towards publishing a biography Wealden Iron Research Group: history projects, & for establishing a discount code by contacting the husband, Andrew, in 2011, to join a Canterbury – one in the Cathedral of Margaret Agnes Babington £1,500 will help fund Adventures archives and research centres. Secretary, Lynn Phillips at lynn. Tenterden Church Group visiting and one in the Cloisters. OBE, who became steward to in Iron by Brian Awty, a book [email protected] the Somme battlefields. Rev. Keith George Bell, Dean of Canterbury, tracing the development of blast Application forms for 2019’s grants Fazzani told us about the life and However, this is only a part of her in 1928. In 1927 Bell founded the furnace technology from Belgium should be submitted by 31 March Alternatively, a cheque for the death of Humfrey Babington, a story. There is so much more… Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, in the mid-fifteenth century to 2019 & can be downloaded from appropriate amount may be young man who is listed on the St the first organisation of its kind in north Normandy and the Weald of http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/ forwarded to Lynn Phillips at Mildred’s Church World War 1 War With the help of a grant from the the world. Miss Babington made south-east England, from where grants/ or obtained by email from Yew Cottage, Station Road, Memorial. The Babington family Allen Grove Fund organised by KAS a considerable contribution to it spread into Kent after 1550. allengroveadmin@kentarchaeology. Eynsford, Kent DA4 0ER. made an impression on me. The and a very helpful publisher – Ed its success, staging plays and org.uk or by post from the KAS father was Rev J A Babington, vicar Adams of Canterley Publishing concerts and enticing illustrious Woodchurch Ancestry Group: £325 c/o 8 Woodview Crescent, of St Mildred’s Church Tenterden – I now find that I have written a people such as John Masefield, to cover printing and publicising a Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent from 1907 until he retired in 1924. ‘proper book’ with an ISBN! I am Sir Adrian Boult, Gustav Holst, collection of illustrated articles on TN11 9HD (please enclose a s.a.e.). An older brother was a poet, and pleased to report that I have had Dorothy L Sayers, Dame Myra the history of Woodchurch, including daughter Margaret stayed with her some encouraging comments Hess, Rudyard Kipling and George medical care in the seventeenth & father throughout his ministry in from various people who have Bernard Shaw to the cathedral. eighteenth centuries, First World Tenterden and later in Canterbury. already bought it from me. War recipes and smuggling. ‘Miss Babs’, a Tenterden vicar’s I began to research Margaret, little Copies are available at £10. daughter, was a “fundraiser The grants are made from the suspecting where her life story Postage is £1.50 for UK orders. extraordinaire and an incredible legacy of Allen Grove, one of Kent’s would take me. A valuable source Phone 01233 770082 or email force”, said Eleanor. “She cajoled most eminent historians of his of information was the archived [email protected] deans and bishops into getting generation who was Hon. Curator Parish Magazines, written by things done! Hers was a life of the KAS for 26 years (and its Rev Babington and his daughter. Profits will all go to St Mildred’s worth recording for posterity”. President in 1987/88), Curator of Margaret played a significant part Church, Tenterden, where Maidstone Museum from 1948 to in the history of Tenterden – indeed this project all started. Folkestone and District Local 1975 and Chairman of the Kent I found references to her being History Society: £500 to help History Federation for eight years involved in 36 different groups, as I have enjoyed researching publish The Folkestone Pulpit, secretary, treasurer or leader! She and writing this book. I hope a brief history of the town’s .When Allen Grove died in 1990 he was a founding member of both the that you enjoy reading it. churches that existed in 1875. left £26,000 from the proceeds of Mother’s Union and WI in Tenterden.

10 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 11 RT: Having been active now for RT: What legacy do you hope a while, what would you say are to leave behind once the Fifth the essential characteristics of Continent Project ends? AN INTERVIEW WITH… a successful Heritage Officer? LB: I hope this project helps people LB: I think being organised is critical. to connect with the history and Lucie Bolton Juggling three projects with 70 archaeology of the Marsh. If by the volunteers and multiple landowners end of this project people feel they Fifth Continent Heritage Officer can get quite complicated at times know more about the archaeology but I’m a big fan of to-do lists, and on their doorstep, I will be happy. I’ve just discovered Bullet Journaling which is helping me to stay focused. It also helps that I’m a people I began by asking Lucie to tell us based on Romney Marsh. We have person and I love talking to people a bit about her background: many projects we are delivering about their local archaeology! which focus on heritage, wildlife LB: I grew up in Kent, and I and community on the Marsh. remember always being aware of the tremendous amount of RT: ‘Heritage Officer’ sounds history and archaeology we have like it possesses a broad surrounding us. I loved History remit of responsibilities? and Geography at school, and I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR started to think about a career in LB: It does! My day to day role is archaeology when I was around quite varied, but I wouldn’t want 16. It was not long after that I had it any other way. I am the lead for Dear Editor Archaeologists’ took place at Rochester on 21 May my first experience volunteering three projects which are focusing 1964. Recorded as being present at the meeting were: on a site at Canterbury. on the heritage and archaeology For the benefit of members, may I be permitted of the Marsh. The projects are to add some detail to the President’s kind ‘Mrs Howe, Mrs Piercy Fox & Miss Waugh, and Messrs I went on to do an undergraduate working with volunteers to carry out remarks about our past President, Paul Oldham Bradshaw, Detsicas, Harrison, Horner, Howe, Jackson, degree in Archaeology at the archaeological investigations on the (The President’s Column, Issue 109). Lyle, Meates, Ocock, Parsons, Philp, Tester, & one other’. University of Exeter before churches and various landholdings. doing a Masters in Palaeolithic We are also investigating the In the weeks before the Society’s 1969 AGM, Paul My notes of the meeting reminded me that discussion Archaeology and Human Origins possible locations of the pre- wrote to members seeking support for his resolution: was dominated by the thorny subject of a proposal at the University of Southampton. Medieval port of Romney. to create a new CBA regional group, a Group that I returned to Southampton for my ‘The sale of any item from the collection of would see Kent ‘unite’ with Surrey. The reason for PhD which was also in Palaeolithic RT: How does the role of the geophysical surveys on a couple antiquities, pictures and documents, owned by this preoccupation with CBA matters was that some Archaeology and included studying Heritage Officer fit into the of sites, and now we have the the Society, is detrimental to the interests of of those attending the May 21st meeting had been at material from many well-known Fifth Continent Project? results we can start to think about archaeology in Kent. In consequence, no further an earlier informal gathering, also held in Rochester, Palaeolithic sites from Kent such where we would like to excavate. sale of such articles is to take place without the at which an invitation from CBA Group 10 (London) as Cuxton and Frindsbury. LB: I am one of three Project consent of members at a General Meeting.’ was discussed. This unexpected communication Officers, and there are five of us in We also have a significant suggested that Kent should join with CBA Group 10 RT: What did you do after the team altogether. My colleagues excavation planned for New Two years before, officers had sold an important and not support the creation of a new CBA Group 11B. graduating? Did you head straight Stan Smith and Dawn Apcar are Romney in summer 2019 so keep portrait from the collection bequeathed to the Society In addition to exploring reactions to the CBA initiated into the heritage sector? the Biodiversity and Community your eyes peeled for that! in 1938 by Sir John Twisden. In the early 1960s, the problem, the earlier gathering, held under the auspices Officers. We also have our Scheme Margary bequest was still some years away, and the of the Lower Medway Group (of which I was secretary at LB: After completing my PhD, Manager Lisa Barrett-Smith and RT: What are the biggest Society’s Council often took big decisions about money the time), had gone on to discuss ideas for establishing I worked for a few years as a Team Administrator Viv Kenny. challenges facing community without consulting ordinary members, who in 1969 better links between active local groups working in Palaeolithic Specialist in commercial fieldwork in Kent at the moment? were unaware that an asset of the Society had been Kent and to consider suggestions for launching a new archaeology and spent much RT: I’m aware that you’ve been lost. After a stormy AGM debate, Paul’s resolution body to represent Kent field archaeology. The outcome time working in the Ebbsfleet leading community fieldwork as part LB: One of my biggest challenges was passed with acclamation. As a result, members was the 21 May meeting and ultimately the KARGC. area. I finally moved across to of the Project….tell us a bit more at the moment is the weather! In can today view Sir John’s collection, which continues my current role as a Community about what you’ve been up to. commercial archaeology, I got to be housed at Bradbourne House, East Malling. The inaugural meeting of the KARGC would take place Archaeologist working for Kent used to working in all conditions at Canterbury on Saturday 10th October 1964. Bill County Council a year ago, and LB: Community fieldwork is a but now I’m relying on volunteers Paul certainly played an active part in the early years Penn became KARGC chairman, Graeme Horner its I have been seconded to Kent considerable part of the heritage I don’t feel I can ask them to work of the Kent Archaeological Research Groups’ Council secretary and Brian Philp, its treasurer. The KARGC Wildlife Trust as the Heritage Officer projects, and all three of the in the pouring rain. My volunteers (KARGC). However, its actual formation came about was later renamed the CKA which, in the years since, for the Fifth Continent since then. projects have fieldwork planned. are very dedicated, and most as the result of a widespread desire among field has benefited Kentish archaeology by adopting a We have run a number of training of them would turn up whatever research groups working in Kent for a body that novel approach to rescue excavations, public relations, RT: Tell us about the Fifth sessions for our volunteers covering the weather but I have had to would encourage county-wide collaboration and make media briefings and the writing up of history. Continent Project. topics such as landscape survey, rearrange a few activities at short it easier to share information and learning. A first geophysical survey and church notice over the past few weeks. meeting of the ‘Ad hoc Committee of Kentish Field Yours sincerely, LB: The Fifth Continent is surveys. Over the past month Michael Ocock, KAS member a Heritage Lottery Funded, we have also carried out some Landscape Partnership Scheme

12 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 13 which scholars would consult the exact anniversary. Proceedings on all matters relating to Anglo- will open with an exhibition of Saxon philology and linguistics. Somner manuscripts and books in WILLIAM SOMNER the Cathedral Archives, and then be Somner’s last major work was his followed by five speakers, including A Treatise of Gavelkind of 1660 Professors Jackie Eales and Kenneth in which he described in great Fincham, who will set Somner’s life KENTISH SCHOLAR detail the origins, practicalities and into its seventeenth-century context problems of this quintessentially and examine his literary legacy. Kentish custom. Busy until the By David Wright very end he died on his sixty- A full life (in two parts) of William third birthday and was buried in Somner by Dr David Wright will the family parish at St Margaret’s appear in the 2019 and 2020 church. His widow, now remarried volumes of Archaeologia Cantiana. William Somner (1606–1669) was one of the as Barbara Hannington, later caused great English scholars of the seventeenth century. a monument to be erected in his All enquiries about the colloquium Above memory and chose to be buried (and any other Somner matters) Dr David Wright Somewhat forgotten today, his reputation is in need alongside him in preference to her are featured in the Notices Section of restoration as we approach his 350th anniversary. two other previous husbands. of this issue. For any further information, please contact Dr David He spent his entire life in Canterbury, a constable, juryman and freeman A one-day William Somner Wright at [email protected] initially at the family home in of the City, was a noted benefactor colloquium will be held at the Old or visit www.drdavidwright.co.uk Castle Street, and then in the to the cathedral and paid for the Sessions House, Christ Church Cathedral precincts. His father, erection of the Bullstake market University, Canterbury, on Saturday Images courtesy of William Somner senior, came from house in the Buttermarket outside 23 March 2019, just one week before www.drdavidwright.co.uk Boxley near Maidstone and initially Christ Church gateway. William the language. The genesis of the drew his more famous son into himself married twice and produced work arose from Somner’s study or the practice of a notary public eight children, none scholarly, transcription of many of the most after arrival in Canterbury in the but including a clergyman and a important Anglo-Saxon manuscripts 1590s. However, William junior was surgeon, both died young. The (held in the famous Cottonian library THE FINDS CORNER destined for greater things after Somner surname seems to have and the libraries of other noted an education at the King’s School, died out around the 1760s when scholars), and also of contemporary although a university did not follow the father of the future Archbishop English and continental this. As a born antiquarian he had John Bird Sumner arrogated the printed works on philology. In our second piece highlighting finds prodigious natural energy and love Somner coat of arms which had from Kent reported to the Portable for researching, recording and been granted in 1663 jointly to For several decades Somner writing and soon knew the records, William and his brother John. maintained a correspondence Antiquities Scheme (PAS) the Kent monuments and architecture of with noted scholars, many of Finds Liaison Officer, Jo Ahmet, his beloved Canterbury and its As a close confidant in the whom united in a close circle cathedral better than any of his employment of Archbishop Laud existing to share information about looks at non-metallic objects reported predecessors. His first masterpiece, where he practised as a registrar discoveries and encourage mutual to the PAS in Kent. Anywhere you see The Antiquities of Canterbury, was of the consistory court and research. Numerous dedications published in 1640 at the young age cathedral auditor, Somner was well and references in their printed a number proceeded by ‘KENT-’ of 34, and still stands as perhaps the placed to assist the prelate with works are ample evidence of such you can use it to find the record best of the early borough histories, ecclesiastical and other enquiries, relationships. Relatively little has based on extensive reading and book and record-keeping, and survived following a disastrous on the PAS public database. supplemented by transcripts of many played no small part in saving many fire in the cathedral library a year It can often seem that FLOs are obsessed with post-conquest charters and other registers and books from loss or after his death when many of coins, buckles, brooches and the metallic finds historical documents. For many destruction during the 1642 sacking his deposited books and papers familiar to metal detectorists. In reality Kent, like years afterwards Somner gathered of the cathedral and subsequent were destroyed. However, known most counties, frequently sees ceramics and fresh material for a proposed second dislocations of the civil war. connections with other scholars lithics, from keen-eyed detectorists as well as edition, but nothing would come of and their works are well established many other finders such as mudlarks (foreshore this until well after his death in 1703, Despite many demands upon his and include Somner’s great fieldwalkers) and fossil hunters (fig 1). at which time posthumous works on time, Somner devoted enormous and personal local friend Meric the Kentish Roman forts and ports, energy to his next masterpiece, Casaubon who offered constant Ceramic objects and fragments are perhaps the most and the departure point of Caesar’s the Anglo-Saxon/Latin/English help and encouragement, Sir Roger common finds to most European archaeologists, Kentish invasion would be shown Dictionary of 1659, the working Twysden for whose Historiae and indeed they are a significant minority of finds to the world. Another on the Saxon manuscripts for which may still be Anglicanae Scriptores Decem we deal with at PAS Kent (roughly 2–3% of total Shore remains in manuscript. seen in the Cathedral archives. Somner contributed the glossary, finds recorded from Kent). Most such finds are A two-volume work of profound and William Dugdale’s Monasticon scatters of ceramic fragments, oft-recorded in bulk One of seven children, his eldest and staggering scholarship, the Anglicanum and Warwickshire on in a similar way to site finds. About once or twice a brother, Major George Somner, Dictionary set Anglo-Saxon studies which Somner commented and year, however, we see complete, or near complete distinguished himself but was killed on a new path for the next three contributed. Moreover, indeed, pots. Usually from coastal or waterlogged areas, in a skirmish at Wye in 1648. Another generations and laid the basis for by the 1650s Somner’s name though hoard containers or cremations are known. brother, John Somner, future research and publications into was the one above all others Fig 1

14 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 15 Most commonly these complete vessels are late Medieval or Post-Medieval. Often these are of quite distinct and well-known types such as green glazed or salt glazed types like Bellarmine, although a Roman KENT’S LITERARY Samian ware bowl is currently awaiting recording. The vessel here, KENT-589236, is a rather lovely small complete jugglette dating c.1600–1850 and, unusually, has come from Spain or Portugal. It was HERITAGE: A (LARGELY) found in Margate Bay just above the mean tide line.

After ceramics, it is lithics which dominate many archaeological sites and indeed dominate the UNTAPPED MINE materiality of human history. In Kent we have recorded everything from Palaeolithic handaxes and choppers, through Mesolithic tranchet axes and microliths, vast By Kerry Brown swathes of Neolithic scrapers with the occasional fine early arrowheads spreading into the Bronze Kent is a profoundly historic Age, topped by very scrappy late Bronze Age and landscape, as the work of the KAS Iron Age tools. One last group of lithic objects to has testified to since its foundation be occasionally recorded are gunflints (fig 2). in 1858. However, it is also one of the most important centres for literature not just nationally, but globally. That Fig 2 heritage is perhaps less celebrated than it should be. Also, while there is extensive knowledge of Charles Often, as gunflints tend to be dated c.AD 1600–1900, Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer, the they fall outside the general pre-c.AD 1700 cut off literary roots go far deeper and are for finds (unusual or locally connected excepted) far more varied and influential. recorded with the PAS they are not often recorded or shown to the FLO. This tends to mean that many Just a haphazard list of writers of those recorded exhibit unusual morphology or native to Kent, or who have lived and features such as being found in lead wraps to fit worked here for significant parts the hammer lock of the firearms. KENT-AA1B15 is of their careers over the centuries, unique to the PAS database and indeed so far to would need to include not just the Kent as it is a probable gunflint blank from which aforementioned two `superstars’ the gunflints could be produced. Most examples but figures like Joseph Conrad, archaeologically recovered seem to be directly related Ian Fleming, Noel Coward, Philip to gun producing areas, so this example from the Sydney, Christopher Marlow, H wilds of east Kent makes it even more unusual. E Bates, W Somerset Maughan, E H Nesbit, HG Wells, Jocelyn Other materials frequently recovered archaeologically Brooke, and Jane Austen. such as glass, bone and depositional conditions allowing leather are all represented from Kent on the PAS This list could also include those for database albeit in small numbers. Of these materials, whom significant things happened Roman glass is often the most striking, since despite in their writing experience here – the its age and frequently being recovered from coastal or fact, for instance, that T S Eliot wrote riverine locations it remains in excellent condition. This part of his immensely influential fragment (KENT-E0F864) of early Roman cylindrical The Waste Land in a shelter still (c.AD 43–100) or square/rectangular (c. AD 43–200) preserved on Margate seafront, bottle is an excellent example of such material and or that Samuel Beckett spent time Fig 3 was recovered from the Medway Estuary (fig 3). in the 1930s driving around the villages of West Kent, apparently For more discussions on the unusual finds of Kent amused by the names of places see our blog series ‘Kent is wyrd’ at https://finds. like ‘Snodland’ and the curious org.uk/counties/kent/blog/. If you want to keep up divergence between the spelling and with where the Finds Liaison Officer will be, have the pronunciation of ‘Trottiscliffe.’ figures like James Joyce, George Top finds to record or want to keep up with some of the Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde Shelter in Margate where TS Eliot discoveries being made in Kent. Keep an eye on the Given this heritage, it is a curious are remembered and celebrated. wrote some of The Waste Land Archaeology in Kent Facebook page, Kent_Finds on thing why it is so little celebrated However, Kent lacks a focal point to Above twitter or drop the FLO an email to [email protected] in the county. Dublin, which has its bring its group of equally illustrious Jane Austen was a frequent collection of globally recognised figures together. That seems like a visitor to Godmersham Park Acknowledgements writers, has a splendid museum lost opportunity – and a disservice All images courtesy of the Portable Antiquities in a Georgian house in the city to this extraordinary heritage. Scheme (PAS) and Kent County Council (KCC) centre in which the works of

16 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 17 Below, left Part of this anomalous situation Live Twice’ there. But for the many While Charles Dickens gets more Digges family who were patrons Ian Fleming’s former home, can be vividly illustrated by what aficionados of his work and its proportionate treatment, with at of the players. The German writer, Old Palace in Bekesbourne has become of the living places of multiple translations, a visit to the least a part of the old Restoration Uwe Johnson, regarded alongside some of these world famous authors. place he spent so much time in, and House and the Guildhall Museum his contemporary Gunter Grass Below, right in Rochester dedicated to him, the Godmersham Park Jane Austen, records show, was where he set some of this works, as the most important author a frequent visitor to Godmersham would prove frustrating, with bits house in which he lived for his final in German after the Second Park which her brother inherited and pieces memorialising and a decade, Gad’s Hill, while occasionally War lived mostly in obscurity in through marriage, and reportedly lack of any central point of focus. open to the public, serves as a girls Sheerness till his death in 1984. His wrote much of Mansfield Park in private school. The same could be `Anniversaries’ will be published the library there. Today, despite her One place he did stay at was said for HG Wells, a man who was in a new translation this year. being one of the most loved figures also home to Noel Coward, on born in Bromley, then part of the in English literature with appreciate St Margaret at Cliffe’s seafront. Kent area, and who spent almost a In an era when tourism is so societies in the US and Japan, These days, however, the house decade living in Folkstone. His works important, and where almost the house is mostly off bounds, sits unmarked, seemingly let out as predicting the future were massively everywhere is attempting to promote accommodating the Association of holiday cottages. Joseph Conrad’s successful, both during his life, but a brand to showcase their attributes, British Dispensing Optometrists. The habitations were of longer standing also subsequently, with `The War it seems perverse that Kent, one other place she is closely associated because Kent was his base for the of the Worlds’ having resonance to of the truly great global literature with Goodnestone, near Canterbury, final decades of his life. His family this day. Pilgrims to his home by the centres, a place that can boast an is a little more accessible (its rented a house in Addington, which seaside, however, will be met with a authentic link with W Somerset gardens are often open), though is now the home of more recent small memorial at the gate of what is Maugham (who went to the King’s Top it is likelier she stayed in Rowling celebrities. However, the place in now the Wells House Nursing Home. School, Canterbury), Mary Tourtel Joseph Conrad’s grave, House on the estate, now a private which one of the greatest masters of (who is buried here), EH Nesbit and Canterbury City cemetery residence. Possibly here she wrote modernism in literature died, in 1924, A proper account of the literary Edmund Blunden (who both had Below, left parts of `Pride and Prejudice.’ sits next to Bishopsbourne Church. history of Kent would need to factor links with Yalding), Sigrid Sassoon (a H G Wells house in Folkstone, now Oswald’s, as it is called, is marked by in the ways in which, through figures student at Sevenoaks School), Vita the Wells House Nursing Home For Ian Fleming, his creation, James a blue plaque, but once more it is a like Chaucer, whose visits to the Sackville-West (resident of Knole Bond, is a global phenomenon, private residence. Conrad himself is country were in the guises of a House and Sissinghurst), and many Below, right popular in countries as diverse buried in Canterbury City cemetery. spy and a tax collector (an unholy more, lacks a single focal point to Shakespeare may have performed as China and Australia. The sole Some artefacts relating to him dual career if ever there was one!) tell this story. At best, that is a pity. at Chilham Castle, owned by the Digges family who were memorial to his longstanding were preserved until recently in the or Christopher Marlow, the great At worst, it is a lost opportunity. The patrons of the King’s Players residence in Kent (much of the Canterbury Heritage Museum before contemporary of Shakespeare, it literary history of Kent is in many time he was also in the Bahamas it closed. But for the author of `The was a place that was present at the ways the literary history of Britain where he had a house) is a metal Heart of Darkness’, a novella that very beginning of the English literary and the English language. It is a statue on Dover beach front, remains one of the most powerful tradition. This alone makes it unique. story that deserves being better depicting his most famous creation denunciations of colonialization told, and better commemorated in rather than him. The house he ever written and which was made Another important aspect is how the place where this all happened. lived in for some years opposite into an epic film in the 1980s by the county has fascinating byways, the church in Bekesbourne, the Frances Ford Coppola (`Apocalypse where it has been associated with Old Palace there, is now privately Now’) getting global audiences, it figures in diverse and intriguing owned. A pub, the Duck Inn, in seems an underwhelming way of ways. Shakespeare may well have Pett Bottom commemorates how remembering such a great figure. performed in Faversham, as his he may have written `You Only group, the King’s Players, are recorded to have visited and played there. He may well have performed at Chilham Castle, owned by the

18 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 19 hair – possibly – or bound reed With the possibility of a sense of or dried grass heads. The latter mystique being attached to the A GLIMPSE INTO is still used in modern Himachal acquisition of iron ore and its softer Pradesh in India to skillfully paint relation, iron-oxide nodules, an beautiful white-on-red or black- interesting adjunct to the above may on-red designs – the same types be represented in some later Iron IRON AGE CUSTOM of design on the same types of Age spindle-whorls recorded from pot as were made at Harappa Thanet. Four have been recorded in the Indus Valley over 4000 to date, with three recovered from years ago (Perryman 2000, 21). the late upper fills of a much, much AND BELIEF earlier Later Neolithic ceremonial The fineware pot base (Figure enclosure ditch at Lord-of-the- 5), as far as I know, is currently Manor, which must still have been By Nigel MacPherson-Grant unique. The angle of its body wall partially visible in the landscape suggests that it came from an and respected as an ‘ancestor’ This article reviews three seemingly or were not socially connected angle-shouldered bowl or drinking monument. All were carved from innocuous items – a raw un-worked enough, to own or gift-receive a beaker, a common form during dark brown or pale pink-brown Fig 4 lump of red iron oxide, the rather bronze vessel(s), they could at least the Early–Mid Iron Age. It had iron-oxide nodules. Compared with drab looking lower body of a bring out their quality wares when been discarded, either cracked the majority of whorls made with fineware pot and part of a small receiving guests or on special- during firing or broken during use. tempered potting clay or chalk, perforated iron oxide disc. The first occasion days. Figure 1 illustrates a Irrespective – it has had its sides these are relatively rare. Two of is from Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs, fineware bowl sherd from the earlier chipped down roughly level and to a these whorls are decorated – one recovered from the base of a first millennium BC settlement at shape ideal for holding in one hand in particular with a simple cross large pit by the present author Minnis Bay, Birchington. To achieve while painting. Inside are definite design scored on one of its flat in 1971 and before subsequent the red finish, raw iron oxide similar traces of red and white paint, mostly sides. The decoration of mid or excavations by Professor Tim to Figure 2 had to be collected. mixed and merged into a pale pink later Iron Age spindle-whorls does Champion. The second two are Since nodules of this material colour. There is little doubt that it not occur that frequently, most – from pits recorded during recent were unlikely to be easily found, Fig 1 was used during the decoration of however well-made – are rather 2003 and 2018 excavations in the they were probably prized and polychrome finewares, although mundane and plain. Crosses incised Trinity Square area of Margate exchanged via trading networks. the pink colour is a little unusual. on objects or pots, whether as (reviewed here courtesy of the Once acquired, some of the nodule purely decorative or as a symbol Swale and Thames Archaeological would be ground down to powder The function of the small perforated have a long history in Europe and Survey Company). All three are, and then applied either dry (rubbed iron oxide disc (Figure 6) is less the Middle East. The association broadly, of Early–Mid Iron Age on) or more probably as a wet slip readily determined. Since it was here with weaving is interesting and Fig 5 date – between c.600–350 BC. painted on to a bowl’s surface, excavated, like the paint pot, from a reminiscent, albeit rather stretched mostly with no additional decoration. large settlement-site site producing topographically, of one aspect of The cultural background to these This potting convention lasted fragments from a number of West Semitic belief systems current elements lies in earlier periods – throughout the Earliest Iron Age, polychrome-decorated and red- during their Bronze and Iron Ages. the Late Bronze and Earliest Iron for the next 300 years and, for a painted vessels the first thought is This involved a goddess called Age. During the former and into while after c.600 BC, continued into that it was threaded onto string or a Asherah – related to Ashtoreth the latter, sheet bronze cauldrons, the Early–Mid Iron Age. However, leather thong and worn around the or Ishtar – who appears to be a tall high-shouldered storage-jars this period represents a new phase neck of the potter or hung from his patroness of spinning, weaving and or situla and metal cups were of continental influences with new belt during pot-painting sessions. cloth production (Rich 2017, 152–4). arriving in modest quantities from pot shapes and new decorative Alternatively, since Bronze Age She, like Ishtar, is often portrayed the Continent. These new shiny styles. The use of red-finishing metal-smithing and the procurement with a crescent moon on her head, metal objects were prestigious continues but now in conjunction Fig 2 of ores was, initially, a mysterious which relates to the concept of time and highly prized. Their existence with white (ground chalk) or black process imbued with a sense of and cyclicity. This can, in turn, be began to affect contemporary (ground charcoal) paint applied as a magic and power some of this linked to a late nineteenth century pottery styles with the production component of polychrome-painted mystique may well have rubbed AD, but ultimately probably much Fig 6 of metalwork simulates – tall high- rectilinear schemes. With these, off, to some degree, not just on the older, North Russian custom of shouldered storage-jars, often the red colour is used to enhance production of painted finewares but embroidering aprons with calendars similarly-shaped though not so tall and frame various design formats more specifically on the iron oxide (Barber 2013, Fig.2.2). These Bibliography cooking-jars and small variously- – the most typical of which are itself and its bright red colour. It is include a cross-in-circle symbol Barber 2013 – Barber, E.W., The shaped fineware cups and bowls. spaced square unpainted panels, not entirely unlikely that this disc which may indicate cross-quarter Dancing Goddesses, W.W.Norton and Co.(New York) 2013 Near the beginning of the Earliest bordered in white and then in-filled was worn as a protective amulet days or those when the four Celtic Iron Age, from around 900 BC, it with white or, less frequently black, by a woman. Like the colour of festivals were, and still are by some, Perryman 2000 – Perryman, J., became fashionable to produce painted designs. The technique is the Great Mother’s blood, it could annually celebrated. It is not too Traditional Pottery of India, A fineware vessels with a bright red a classic diagnostic of the period be a life-giving charm, a help- far fetched to assume, or believe it & C Black (London) 2000 slip intentionally aping the glowing – and several Thanet examples meet during childbirth and for is possible, that similar beliefs and appearance of bronze vessels. Most are illustrated (Figures 3&4). The the rigours of life in general – a customs were active in southern Rich 2017 – Rich, S.A., Cedar Forests, contemporary settlements had at design details would be painted thought that met with enthusiasm Britain during the Iron Age. Cedar Ships, Archaeopress (Oxford) 2017 least a few red-finished pots – so on using either a stick end chew- Fig 3 from a lady at a recent workshop. that even if they could not afford, softened into splay, bound horse

20 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 21 DOWSING AT EXCAVATIONS AT SPRINGHEAD FORT AMHERST NEAR GRAVESEND IN THE 1950s

By Victor Smith

Long forgotten and recently loan of equipment from the Kent discovered in a photographic Archaeological Society, this method collection are several images was used. The equipment was of uncertain date in the 1950s very slow but produced reasonable showing the late Bill Penn, the results. As a small diversion, the Gravesend Historical Society’s author was tempted to dowse and, Director of Excavations, trying in doing so, discovered the edges out dowsing rods on the site of of a previously uninvestigated the Romano-British religious length of Roman road, also at centre at Springhead. Springhead. When, in 1989, he came to manage an historic National By Roger Hornsby & Richard Taylor In those days archaeological Park in the Caribbean, he dowsed prospecting at Springhead was on the property, identifying the mostly through the plotting of exact edges of previously unknown crop marks and the study of aerial buried structures. He later found Background photographs as well as augering out that he had been watched and and walking over ploughed fields to that this had begun a short dowsing A brief introduction to the reason look for concentrations of surface craze on part of the island, with for the fortifications starts with evidence. Occasionally dowsing wire coat-hangers being taken the use of a Medway Reach as was attempted. Geophysical by maids from the rooms of two a mooring for out of commission prospecting had hardly asserted hotels at the request of those Royal Navy ships in the mid-16th itself in British archaeology. who wished to make the rods. century, keeping the narrow Thames area at Deptford Dockyard clear. As a scientist, Bill Penn was a The author inclines to rely upon Soon the facilities to store gear trained sceptic, and he decided to geophysics, most recently under for the moored vessels expanded subject dowsing to methodological the leadership of the Gravesend to become Chatham Dockyard. testing. Having received some initial Historical Society’s Verna Row, coaching from a visiting dowser, also at Springhead. The Kent Top The Dutch naval assault on the he did this with carefully laid out Archaeological Society has several Bill Penn dowsing lower Medway, inflicting humiliating traverses over part of One Tree times replaced the originally bought Bottom damage to ships at Chatham, in Field at Springhead where stakes equipment with better, quicker Part of the rectangle staked 1667 exposed the inadequacy of out on the ground were inserted into the ground at the and more versatile instruments. the defences. Two new forts were places where the rods closed and rapidly built to guard the river opened. This produced a rectangle The author retains dowsing rods and then Chatham area Medway on the ground, subsequently for very occasional and responsible defences followed to protect the confirmed by excavation as a ‘recreational use’, avoiding any Top Naval Dockyard from the landward Roman building. This impressed possibility of addiction. It would be Fig 1: Excavations at Fort Amherst 2018 side. Starting with a cleared area Bill and the excavators around interesting for any dowsing readers Above to the east as a ‘Field of Fire’, the him but the results were not to share their experiences in the Fig 2: The Chatham Lines showing Spur remains of which are the Great Battery to the north-east c.1810 pages of this newsletter. Discussion scientifically explicable. Although Author’s note: Right Lines by the mid-18th century this was a memorable achievement, of the effectiveness of dowsing The author began excavating Fig 3: 1879 map showing SB17 a defensive ditch and ramparts dowsing was subsequently used tends to go round in a circle and at Springhead in 1961 when he excavation targets on Spur Battery had been built. Considerable only fitfully at Springhead. As then back round the other way, not heard of the dowsing success on improvements followed; some to soon as electrical resistivity least because there is no universally the site, now supported by the thwart the American, French and surveying became available at accepted scientific validation of photographs (with kind thanks Spanish activities in the latter third the start of the 1970s through the this method of investigation. to the late Phillip Connolly), of the 18th century but mostly at the which appear with this article. beginning of the 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars, that included additional fortification to both north and, at the south end, Fort Amherst.

22 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 23 This remodelling of the south-east is spread northwards from Fort that ramps down between two corner expanded Prince William’s Amherst. These remain within revetted walls to a caponier as an Bastion by adding Spur Battery, then the Chatham Lines, albeit what open-air auditorium. The Shorne forming a ditch on the western side was Kitchener Barracks is now a Woods Archaeology Group (SWAG) so this area became an ‘outwork’ private housing development. Apart was invited to investigate this area (Fig 2). This effective separation from that, the Garrison Church, in sept 2016 and found nothing from the Fort followed the current married quarters and some sports untoward. Presently this project has defensive practice. Soon rapid facilities the RSME continues to had approval and work is in hand. advances in artillery range in the link to the Fort within the Lines. early 19th century made these SWAG returned in 2017, under defences ineffective, so generating Fort Amherst has been described the sire Directorship of Andrew the ring of “Palmerston Forts” to by English Heritage as the most Mayfield, as part of the Dig Deep the east of the Medway towns gave complete Napoleonic fortification community archaeology initiative at the Dockyard effective protection. in Britain and as such has great Fort Amherst, funded by Medway national historical significance. Council and the HLF, to investigate In 1980 Fort Amherst was Generally, there is public access the scrub-covered area to the east purchased from the MoD by the to most of the ‘open to the sky’ of the proposed ‘amphitheatre’ of Fort Amherst and Lines Trust and areas of the Fort but presently not the courtyard casemate. SWAG In addition to the discovery of the who participate in such activities. public open days began; before to Spur Battery and some adjacent was expecting to find traces of platform make-up, other features Unfortunately, there are no records that it had been ‘Government fortifications. buildings that are indicated on plans were located and cleaned, including of by whom, how and when this area Property’. There are well recorded (Fig 3) dated later than those of the a probable WWII foxhole, original was used save that there were no uses made of the area during both ‘outwork’. None were found in this gun emplacement positions and public displays and these hirings of the world wars; administrative Excavations 2016–18 October 2017 visit, though evidence possible evidence of a retaining the Spur Battery area ceased some within existing underground for the construction of the Spur wall associated with an earthen five years or so ago. Presently the chambers and probably anti-aircraft There is a proposal to adapt Battery platform using vast quantities ramp providing access to the area has been cleared of most of measures. Following WWII neglect an area, probably remnants of of chalk rubble and various sandy earliest phase of Spur Battery the trees that covered much of the allowed undergrowth to flourish. Prince of Wales’ Bastion that is infills were detected (Figs 4 & 5). (Figs 6, 7 & 8}. It some became area until this year, presumably as The Royal School of Military incorporated into Spur Battery, clear, via a combination of the part of the ‘amphitheatre’ works. Engineering Brompton facilities excavations and the study of aerial photography, that the Royal ‘Blank ammunition’ is almost always a Engineers probably levelled much casing to suit the weapon’s chamber of the platform surface, removing all shape without any projectile and a remnants of 19th-century internal reduced propellant charge to suit the buildings and structures in the action of the weapon. This “action” process. However, many exciting falls into two main categories, artefacts were discovered, hinting one being the simple need for a at a rich and varied military use ‘bang’ that requires manual action for over 200 years (Figs 9 & 10). to reload – breaking the weapon to insert a live round, lever or bolt action in conjunction with a charged Spent ammunition magazine or mechanical action as discoveries – the in a revolver – that needs a simple cartridge as, apart from fitting the value of research chamber and ease of ejection, there is little need for other than some gas What did appear in 2017, mostly tightness. The other form of ‘blank’ Left by metal detection in the surface round is one that needs to operate Fig 4: Various backfills visible as part of Spur platform make-up layer of low growth, where 220 the reload action of the weapon, Above or so spent blank cartridges in a so a form of choke attachment to Fig 5: Various backfills visible over comparatively small area. At first the weapon is mostly needed to casemate structure of Spur Battery sight, (and given the former MoD ensure enough force is generated on location), one might assume many firing to operate the working parts. of these blank cartridges are Now, this type of blank round has evidence of military exercises or to emulate the shape of its lethal wartime training. However, following counterpart to prevent ‘jamming’ Top much painstaking research, the as it cycles from the magazine to Fig 6: Cleaned Spur gun emplacement reality is somewhat different. ejection. The only real difference looking south between a ‘self-loading’ and an Middle The cartridges are likely to have ‘automatic’ weapon is the former Fig 7: Probable WWII fox-hole position constructed against south wall needs the trigger pulled each time been the result of private re- Left enactments or war games, the Trust to fire a single round; automatic will Fig 8: Retaining wall associated with management renting this securable fire continuously once the trigger is an earthen ramp providing access and isolated outwork to those pulled back until release, misfire or from the barrier ditch during earliest there are no more rounds to load. phase of Spur Battery’s use

24 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 25 XX Fig 15: 1878 map showing SB18 excavation target on Spur Battery XX Fig 16: WWII fox-hole (darker vertical soil to left) position cut through Spur backfill platform

Ammunition generally is described by calibre, and case length as these broad dimensions tend to indicate which weapons are chambered to use them. It is fair to assume that much ammunition is manufactured These cases collected from the To summarise; there is evidence, in Excavations progressed throughout for use by nations’ armed forces, tiny areas investigated within Spur one of the remoter areas of the Fort, a two-week period and, in addition to but there are thriving forms of target Battery in October 2017 mostly that 20th-century weaponry has a further WWII fox-hole discovered and hunting shooting activity that appear to be post-1980, suggesting fired blank ammunition probably for to the east of the casemate in a demand ammunition for a wide XX no armed forces training but ‘re- some form of re-enactment as the service trench for the proposed Fig 9: Royal Welsh Fusilier tunic button variety of weapons, from the arcane enactment’ by such groups. Of the rounds seen represent mainly British, amphitheatre (Fig 16), the main XX to the most up to date. There a Fig 10: 20th Century toy soldier featuring cases collected only 64 are “UK German and American chambering. excavation gradually exposed a few military chamber shapes have a Vickers machine gun MoD issue” and most of these can Unfortunately, no records seem remarkably well-preserved buried been long-lived – the Russian 7.62 XX be dated from a 1991 supply of 7.62 to exist to reveal greater detail structure. As backfill was removed taper rimmed 57mm, German Fig 11: 0.303 British rounds x 51mm NATO blank rounds, the of such usage. At the very least and shoring applied to the walls, 7.92 parallel rimless 57mm, British XX twilight years of the Self Loading a musket ball for the regulation evidence for a multi-arched chamber 7.70 (303) taper rimmed 56mm Fig 12: 7.62 x 54mm - Russian 1891 round Rifle. A quarter of the empty cases musket of the era of the Fort’s with an attached access shaft, XX to name but three. Post-WWII are “9 x 19” that have a vast range construction was also unearthed. slowly emerged (Fig 17). Excavations Fig 13: 7.92 x 57mm German Mauser alliances have introduced their small rounds of weapons chambered for this ceased at a depth of 2.0m without arms ammunition for use in the XX ubiquitous round so no particular finding the base of the structure. standard chambers incorporated Fig 14: 7.62x 51mm Standard nation or alliance can be attributed A Nice Set of Latrines However, this depth did demonstrate in national weapon designs. Nato 1957 rounds to these blanks. There are sufficient a well-engineered structure grounds to suggest German, British SWAG returned in October 2018 employing curved buttresses to the Headstamps are the details and American WWII weapons have under the Dig Deep banner to inner corners and well-preserved stamped into the base of the been used in re-enactments, be they investigate an area immediately to arched brickwork Figs 18, 19 & 20). case – that part that has the cap solely for the entertainment of the the east of the courtyard casemate. or primer in the centre. They are participants or some cinematic need. SWAG was expecting to find Descriptions of the Spur Battery generally manufacturers’ markings traces of a building indicated on hospital confirm the wards were for that maker’s country and vary Current re-enactments suggest the plans (Fig 15). Unlike 2017, this in Prince William’s barracks (next immensely in detail. Some of the ‘Redcoat and Brown Bess’ era of the time a building was very much in door) but explicitly state that there blanks found at Fort Amherst are Napoleonic Wars. These are much evidence, one that first appears were no internal latrines with blank in every sense, having no more audience-friendly through as part of the construction of patients having to go outside to markings whatsoever. The military encampment to demonstrations the courtyard casemates and these. The excavation structure use both headstamps and colours of battle formations – the vestiges is marked on a plan of 1813. is perhaps a little too far from this to indicate specific uses for a of which still grace the Queen’s hospital building as is more likely variety of specialised and up- Birthday Parade – and may be On subsequent maps the precise to have been used by troops. graded rounds developed over time. considered more appropriate to that location of the structure varies in Sadly there is little detail on ‘blank’ period generating the need for the its depiction but, current thinking There is a possibility that the rounds, so identification has had Fort Amherst and Chatham Lines as is that it was built as latrines structure might link to the 1858 to rely on that for lethal rounds. protection for the Naval Dockyard. from the outset. There may be period of use of Spur Battery as a evidence that it was rebuilt at some summer camp to help preserve the point resulting in the excavated health of the garrison. Newspaper building that correlates to the accounts describe how the Royal 1879 OS depiction in Fig 15. Engineers laid out the camp including a piped water supply, but there is no mention of latrines.

26 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 27 The Sanitary Commission condemned cesspit latrines in barracks in their report of 1861, and over the following years, these were replaced with water flushed versions connected to main sewers. The isolation of the excavated latrines may have seen the continued use of a drop arrangement and a large soakaway that would have been periodically emptied using the shaft revealed on site. The structure is demolished by the epoch 4 OS map (1919–1939).

In conclusion, the excavations of 2016–18 were a success (Fig 21). Much has been learned about the construction of Spur Battery, its use and, of course, answered the age-old question of ‘where did the soldiers go to the toilet?’ SWAG wishes to extend its gratitude to Medway Council, and the Trustees of Fort Amherst for enabling the excavations, Ben Levick for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Fort Amherst, Clive Mortley of Colman & James building contractors for his patience and understanding whilst excavation works were ongoing, and Peter Kendal of Historic England for his continued guidance and input.

Acknowledgements: Figs 1 & 21 courtesy of Dean Barkley Fig 2 courtesy of Ben Levick Figs 3 & 15 courtesy of National Archives

XX Fig 17: Latrine structure exposed XX Fig 18: Internal brick arch XX Fig 19: Internal walls showing curved buttress of latrine ‘drop’ chamber XX Fig 20: Internal curved wall of access shaft and internal brick arch Opposite page Fig 21: Spur Battery, showing excavation of latrines, the courtyard and surrounding casemates

28 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 29 These materials will then be made available to other schools on THE IAN COULSON the Kent Archaeological Society and Canterbury Archaeological Trust websites. The bursary will contribute up to £1,000 towards ANNUAL BURSARY expenses incurred during the completion of the project; acceptable expenses include the costs of supply cover, the purchase FOR LOCAL HISTORY/ARCHAEOLOGY of equipment, software and/ or subscriptions essential to the project, photocopying expenses IN KENT SCHOOLS 2017–18 and travel expenses (for example to an archive office or museum).

By Andy Harmsworth and Marion Green The St John’s project was an investigation into the impact of the On 2 October 2018, we attended 25 years and, at the time of his The successful school then has First World War on the locality. a whole school assembly at St premature death in 2015, President one academic year to research Using the names on their local Students went on to research John’s Catholic Comprehensive of the Kent Archaeological Society. their chosen topic and produce war memorial as a starting point, into the Battle of Cambrai and the School in Gravesend. The purpose The bursary aims to support related classroom materials. For Year 9 students (13–14-year-olds) results of their findings, together of the visit was to present Colm the teaching and learning of the duration of the project, teachers carried out research to produce with their completed biographies, Murphy, Subject Leader for History, archaeology and local history, two will have access to an adviser biographies of soldiers from their were published in a commemorative with a cheque for £1,000 for his of Ian’s great passions, in Kent and appointed by the KAS Education local area who died in action during booklet ‘Gravesham and the department’s work on the local Medway schools. One bursary, Committee. They are expected the First World War. With the help Battle of Cambrai, November impact of the First World War, worth up to £1,000, for which any to deliver in digital format: of their teachers, local historians 20th – December 4th 1917’. The the first award from the newly Kent or Medway school (primary and surviving family members, they biographies were also published established Ian Coulson Bursary or secondary) may apply, will be • local history/archaeology then used a variety of sources to on the school website. for Local History/Archaeology. available each academic year. resources for children to use in find out about the soldiers’ lives, the classroom over a sustained including the Commonwealth The culmination of the project This annual bursary was established To apply for the bursary teachers period (i.e. several hours of War Graves Commission website, was a visit to the First World War in 2017 by the Education Committee have to submit a short application work in the classroom) military service records, census battlefields and cemeteries in of Kent Archaeological Society, form before the end of June. returns, local newspapers, war Northern France and Belgium. of which we are both members, in The KAS Education Committee • support materials for other diaries and the histories of Pupils were able to visit the graves memory of Ian Coulson. As many examines all of the applications and teachers; for example a scheme particular regiments and units. and memorials of the soldiers of you will know, Ian was Adviser informs schools of their decision of work, detailed explanatory whose lives they had researched, for History in Kent schools for over before the end of the summer term. notes and advice, additional During their research students providing added poignancy to resources and a bibliography discovered that several local their learning experience. Please help us to publicise the soldiers were involved in the Battle bursary by telling any teachers you of Cambrai in November 1917, the A teaching and learning resource know about it. We do not doubt first battle in which tanks were used for schools based on the project, that Ian would heartily approve of on a large scale. Coincidentally, ‘Investigating the Impact of the innovative work in Kent schools Gravesham is twinned with Cambrai World War l in your Locality’, has which the bursary is supporting. and students were working at now been produced. It contains the time of the battle’s centenary. detailed guidance which can One of the first soldiers they be used by teachers anywhere Left researched was Thomas Boucher in the country and consists of Marion Green presenting the cheque of 7 Dover Road, Northfleet, who a teacher’s guide, a scheme of to Colm Murphy with Andy Harmsworth was training to be an engineer work and a student booklet. (right) and Headteacher Matt Barroe (left) Top left when the war broke out. He joined Thomas Boucher, 1897–1917 the Royal Field Artillery in 1915 and These materials can be Top right was subsequently transferred to downloaded, along with From the Kent Messenger, 15 December the Machine Gun Corps and then further information about the 1917 the newly formed Tank Corps. bursary, from the Canterbury Above In 1917 he fought at the Battle Archaeological Trust website: www. Front cover of the commemorative of Messines, taking control of a canterburytrust.co.uk/learning/ booklet produced by the students of St John’s Catholic School Mark IV tank when its driver was schools/coulson-bursary/ severely wounded. During the Battle of Cambrai, shortly after his 21st Or follow the link on the Kent birthday, he was shot after his tank Archaeological Society website: had been hit by artillery fire and died www.kentarchaeology.org.uk from his wounds. He has no known grave, but his name is inscribed on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval. 30 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 31 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS LEES COURT ESTATE:

I have been in touch with many of you lately either Affiliated society by post or electronically and I enjoy this contact and 2018 EXCAVATIONS also speaking to many of you at events and on the Snodland Historical Society Snodland telephone. One of the main reasons for contacting you is because of the change of status – KAS becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) from Individual Members (including students) Since 2016, the Society has investigated a prehistoric multi-period landscape on January 2019. This meant that we had to set up a new the Lees Court Estate in Kent. Thanks to the drive and enthusiasm of the Society’s bank account so all those existing standing orders Mr Paul Atkinson Folkestone have to be ceased and new ones set up. Many of you Mr Andrew Bates Horsham, Sussex Patron, Lady Sondes, excavations to date have revealed a multi-period prehistoric have already helped me by doing this, but there are Mr Gary Bennett Otford landscape atop the North Downs overlooking Faversham Creek. Located in eastern still many outstanding. If you are one of those who Miss Abigail Coskun Oxted, Surrey hasn’t yet changed to the new account, please do Mr Michael Curtis West Kingsdown Kent, one interpretation could be that a prehistoric community used the area as a so as soon as possible especially cancelling the old Mr Malcolm Davies London WC1N designated space for gathering people, the treatment of the dead or a point where standing orders. If you contact your bank yourself Mrs Nicola Dawkins Rotherfield, Sussex this will be a great help to me – please let me know Mr Keith Dorman Willesborough technological and cultural exchange took place over many thousands of years. if you do this so that I can mark your record with the Mr John English Tonbridge information. Of course, you can continue to pay for your Mr Kevin Fromings Marden subscription by cheque – I send out renewal letters to Miss Kiera Greenwood Wateringbury A THANK YOU FROM LADY SONDES you in December in time for January 2019. Please get Mrs Lene Gurney Crowborough, Sussex in touch if you need help or guidance with any of this. Mrs Emma Harker Sevenoaks Mr Stanley Hockham West Wickham I am delighted to take this opportunity to thank Thank you for the many kind comments which have Mrs Josephine Horton Sturry the Kent Archaeological Society, University helped with these extra tasks – much appreciated! Mrs Fiona Jarvest Lympne of Kent and all the volunteers for the ‘journey’ Miss Lesley-Ann Jones Ramsgate we have shared on the Lees Court Estate. Once everything has settled down, I shall Mrs Helen Kemp Oxted, Surrey be arranging for a new set of membership Mr Anthony Mak London SW12 There was a constant ‘buzz’ during the six weeks cards reflecting the new charity number. Mr Richard Morkill Green Street Green of Excavations with special excitement with every Mr Darren Mummery Selling significant ‘find’ (especially the numerous features I am pleased to welcome the following bumper list Mr Patrick O’Mara St Mary’s Island, Chatham that emerged) which would spread like ‘wildfire’ of new members. Many of these joined because Mrs Gill Rumsey St Mary’s Island, Chatham making its way to the Estate Office and beyond! of taking part in the Lees Court Project so could Ms Ann Russell, Orpington experience excavating at this exciting area. Because Miss Rachel Stuart Hove, Sussex All the members of the Estate staff were involved – the membership year is January to December, Mr Guy Topham Lympne whether in a small or large capacity and embraced the they have the benefit of an extra month or two Miss Olivia Vincent Canterbury Project as part of our Community. I would particularly membership. Even with this bonus of members we Dr David Walsh Canterbury like to thank Liz Roberts for heading the Lees Court need more so that we can continue to serve Kent! Mr Colin Welch Selsted, Dover effort working closely with Clive Drew, the outstanding Leader of the Project. We tried to make the work My apologies if I have omitted anyone from this list! of those involved run as smoothly as possible. Joint Members Shiela Broomfield I would encourage every potential volunteer to take Membership Secretary Mr & Mrs Nigel & Venetia Jennings Gillingham advantage of the opportunity to join our adventure. [email protected] Mr & Mrs Sam & Lesley Samson Finglesham It is a great chance to work with Keith Parfitt, one Mr Michael Sanders & Ms B Kelly Faversham of Britain’s top archaeologists, on what will be Mr & Ms Anthony & Minette Smith Canterbury the largest Archaeological Project in Britain. Mrs & Mr Anne And Phil Stone Herne Bay Mrs & Mr Denise and Ray Taylor Faversham We are all ready to welcome you to the Lees Mr & Mrs Lee & Nicola Williams Charing Heath Court Estate.

Lady Sondes

32 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 33 EXCAVATIONS IN WOODS COURT FIELD, SEPTEMBER 2018

By Keith Parfitt

Fig 1: Aerial view of excavations in Woods Court Field

Background into a very small pit. A limited • Does any in situ material relating excavation was undertaken around to Hoard III remain in the ground? In September 2017 a metal this hoard located two further pits detecting rally was held on the close-by (with no metalwork). • Are there any more hoards Lees Court estate, with fields buried in the immediate area? across the historic parishes of Hoard III, spread by the plough, lay Cutting into the natural clay below Badlesmere, Selling and Sheldwich 17.50m to the south-west of Hoard • Were Hoards II and III buried the plough soil, a scatter of 28 being searched. A team from II. It again consisted of fragments in a contemporary settlement mostly shallow features, including Conclusions the Kent Archaeological Society of bun-ingot, totalling 34 in number. site or open country? the three previously recorded in was invited to attend the event to The distance makes it unlikely that 2017, was revealed (Fig 3). These Although no more significant Clockwise from top left record any artefacts of interest. these pieces could be derived The excavation provided useful features consisted of a series finds of Bronze Age metalwork Fig 2: Hoard II as it was from Hoard II, so a third discrete information concerning all these of variously sized pits, together were made, the 2018 excavation excavated in 2017 Fig 3: Pit F.155 No less than four hoards of Late hoard in the same area is implied. points. In particular, it would seem with eight post-holes. There was was highly successful. There Fig 4: Feature F.164 that Hoards II and III had been no clear evidence to show that now seems little doubt that Late Bronze Age metalwork (perhaps Fig 5: Pottery c.1150–600 BC with hints of a fifth) were found buried within a settlement area. Hoard III had ever been contained Bronze Age hoards II and III had during the course of the rally. Three KAS investigations 2018 within any of the features located, been deposited within a broadly were discovered in the same field, although two sizeable pits contemporary settlement area, Woods Court Field, at Badlesmere Taken together, the Bronze Age The Excavation producing Late Bronze Age pottery although more work is required (Hoards I–III), with the fourth about metalwork discoveries made in were found in its immediate vicinity. before full details on the layout 1.7km further to the north-east. Woods Court Field suggested The excavation covered some 450 of this site can be set out. Hoards I and II remained largely that larger scale excavations square metres and was conducted Two adjacent pits located towards in situ and were archaeologically would be informative. As part as a continuous, twenty-day the centre of the cleared area were Finds discovered during the excavated at the time of their of the KAS’s long-term Lees operation, mostly under bright and of substantial proportions (Fs 164 excavation included significant discovery (see Newsletter 107). Court Estate landscape study, breezy weather conditions (apart & 172), much larger than any of the amounts of prehistoric pottery, an excavation was arranged from the final weekend when there other features discovered (Fig 4). together with substantial quantities Hoard I was found to be contained for September 2018. This was was persistent, steady rain!). The Both pits extended into the undug of struck flint and very large within an inverted pottery vessel and focused on the area where Hoards natural subsoil on the site consisted area so that their full extent was not numbers of calcined flints. No yielded more than 16kg of metal – II and III had been discovered. of Clay-with-flints, a notoriously revealed. About three-quarters of animal bone or marine shell had mostly plate scrap and sword chape difficult material to work, being F. 172 was examined, but perhaps survived, however, due to the acidic fragments of the Wilburton Industry, A range of research questions quick to bake like concrete in the less than one-quarter of F. 164 was nature of the soil here. Some of the broadly datable to 1150–1000 needed to be addressed sun or turn to a sticky porridge exposed. From what was seen of pit pottery recovered is decorated, and BC. Hoard II (Fig 2) lay some 164 by the excavation: in the wet (we experienced F. 164, it is at least 5 metres across all of it has been provisionally dated metres to the north-west of Hoard both forms in the excavation, and more than one metre deep, to within the period c. 1150–600 I and contained thirteen pieces of • Can any more loose material especially the concrete version!). containing significant amounts BC; it is thus apparently broadly broken bun-ingot, tightly packed relating to Hoards II and III be of pottery and large quantities contemporary with the hoards recovered from the plough-soil? of calcined flint (pot-boilers). previously recovered (Fig 5).

34 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 35 We are now actively preparing for • Did a ditch or palisade Acknowledgements: next year’s excavation, equipped enclose the settlement? The excavation was undertaken GEOPHYSICS AT LEES COURT ESTATE with an additional series of with the enthusiastic encouragement research questions, answers • What was the source of and support of Lady Sondes and to which should significantly water for the settlement? the Lees Court Estate. Through By Fred Birkbeck enhance our understanding of the Estate Administrator, Elizabeth Bronze Age Badlesmere: • How does this site fit in with other Roberts, much practical support The excavations at Woods Court Before the September excavation, Bronze Age activity in the area? and assistance was provided on Field and Stringman’s Field on the the exact location of the hoards • What is the extent of the implied the ground, making the whole Lees Court Estate were a perfect was established using a sub- Late Bronze Age settlement? project thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to test out the new centimetre accurate GPS system and mostly hassle-free. Large KAS surveying equipment. Richard that established an exact location at • Was it seasonally occupied numbers of KAS volunteers, some Taylor, Fred Birkbeck and Andy which to conduct a pre-excavation or permanent? new to the Society and some Bates were tasked with finding out magnetometer survey of the trench new to fieldwork, joined in with what archaeology lies hidden under area (highlighted in yellow in figure • Does the area investigated in 2018 the excavation, enduring some the soil and how these hi-tech tools 1). The results could be used to represent the most intensively hard digging conditions without can aid project planning, recording inform the excavation strategy, and inhabited part of the site or was complaint. The writer extends and reporting by members of the the excavation itself could be used it denser in other areas? Are his sincere thanks to everyone society and its affiliated groups. to ‘ground-truth’ the results of the there any identifiable buildings? concerned. We are greatly looking survey, a perfect compliment. What forward to our return next year… Remote sensing was conducted the survey revealed was a heavily using a magnetometer to detect settled landscape to the west and minute contrasts in the magnetic south of the hoard site, evidence polarity of soil that has been of pits and general occupation SITE ADMINISTRATION disturbed from the soil in the natural activity on the slope facing the geology. Richard Taylor conducted valley is characterised in the survey the first survey using the equipment results by contrasting black and By Mike Curtis in the west of Stringman’s Field white (high and low magnetism) in the spring of 2018 where he readings. Intriguing linear anomalies September 2018 saw the revealed a circular anomaly were also detected which lay Society begin to undertake a which was crying out for further just outside the excavation area significant archaeological project investigation (fig.#). A small team (marked in red on figure 1). All in at Lees Court Estate. This year of KAS volunteers subsequently all, it looked as though there was presented a challenge as the excavated the potential feature in already some evidence to support excavations were carried out May which revealed an astonishing Keith’s hypothesis of hoard burials over two sites: Wood Court Field prehistoric monument cut into close to settlement sites without a and Stringmans Field (Fig 1). the landscape. The implications trowel making contact with the soil, While relatively close, the sites were that there is some exciting and so it proved when several large produced different archaeology and important archaeology in this features were excavated which with interesting findings from each. previously overlooked part of the precisely matched strong anomalies county. Galvanised by success on the magnetometer survey. With a project as large as Lees and looking for more hidden Court Estate it was essential ‘treasures’, myself and Andy Bates The rest of Woods Court Field was to get the administration of the were recruited onto the survey surveyed over the course of the site up and running well before team and set about surveying the month by the team ably assisted the actual excavations began. rest of Stringman’s Field. Sure by volunteers from SWAG and site and the Society. For security Context sheets and cut and enough, another circular feature FRAG during which, several other Not knowing how many people purposes, these paper records were deposit records were entered was identified just south of the potential features were revealed, Anyone interested in learning more would turn up made planning not computerised or kept on site. onto a database as soon as previous monument and this including an interesting rectilinear about geophysical survey and how difficult but we hoped we had they were completed. A link to a became the target of the University feature (fig 2) which was test- they can take part can contact ordered enough water, toilets Although many packs of these photograph of each sheet, plan of Kent dig which revealed another pitted. Further investigation is Richard Taylor at: and tools… and first aid kits. documents were prepared we and sketch allows the original potential monumental feature. warranted in these areas such as [email protected] very quickly ran out, Lees Court documents to be viewed from fieldwalking and targeted metal Although it was the intention to Estate quickly helped, printing within the database. Eventually, Further potential features were detecting. What is certain is that make the site as digital as possible, another 50. Then another 50! all finds will also be photographed also identified in the field giving this landscape is proving to be several documents had to be paper- and linked to the database. the project team a ‘kid-in-a-candy- the gift that keeps on giving and based, this included the health and To try and keep track of the store’ choice of where to direct that geophysical survey will be safety assessment which every visitors to the site a signing in and Our intention for season 2019 is future investigations. Conveniently, an invaluable tool in identifying visitor to the site was required to out sheet for each day was used, to have all finds photographed the site of the Bronze Age hoards further excavation targets and read and sign. Data protection and although people remembered and logged as soon as they are discovered in Woods Court Field, answering more questions about Finds and Treasure agreements had to sign in, signing out was washed and identified; ideally, Keith which lies directly across the the extent of the settlement also to be read, understood and often forgotten – or we have Parfitt would use a tablet for all his modern road, had already been history of the Lees Court Estate. signed. The data protection form buried many archaeologists! paperwork so that would also be selected as the location of the allowed visitors to opt-in to receive immediately available, but I don’t subsequent excavation project updates and information about the see that happening any time soon!

36 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 37 ESTATE AND FARMING VIEW STRINGMANS FIELD

OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS EXCAVATIONS 2018

By Liz Roberts, Estate Administrator, Lees Court Estate By Richard Taylor

Being asked to take a field out of farming operation for four weeks or more is an interesting dilemma. This is especially challenging when the Archaeologists have a fixed start date, and the weather can alter that start date with five minutes of rain.

The first excavation was in Working with our gamekeeper The second site, which we refer Stringmans Field, close to our Shayne Dean, we planned the to as the University of Kent (UKC) Bronze Age Burial Mound. The site layout, as well as the start dig site, is in Stringmans Field. This site area was plotted partly over a and finish times of archaeological site causes little farming disruption, Higher Level Scheme (HLS) field work; the aim is to cause as little as it is on the HLS grassland margin and a game plot. With our disturbance to the gamebirds as margin. This site is actually of shooting calendar running from possible. The planning paid off, benefit to the management of 1st October to 1st February and as we had reports most mornings the gamebirds, as having some a new game plot of maize having from those first on site that they human activity at the end of the to be drilled by June, a two-week had to evict the pheasants from game plot, meant that birds were dig was planned for May 2018. the centre of the dig area! discouraged from venturing out on to the road. The site will stay Although this site created little In the lead up to the dig, daily ‘open’ but covered throughout the disturbance to the general farming communication with Clive Drew winter and will be revisited by UKC calendar, permission had to be was vital to keep everything on students in early Spring 2019. Fig 1: Aerial view of excavations granted by English Nature to time: status of the harvest; planning at Stringmans Field 2018 disturb an HLS field margin. We when the JCB could remove the Once the dig was underway, we also liaised with Kent County topsoil; taking delivery of 1000 took day trips out from the Estate Council (KCC) Footpath Office bottles of water, a portacabin and a Office to see what was happening. to explain how close the site was shipping container. The portacabin Every day new gems emerged, to a footpath. KCC were happy and shipping container was stored and we started to be able to look The excavation at Stringmans Field was carried out from 12th – 24th for the Dig to continue without temporarily in the field opposite at the differences in soil structure, September 2018 as part of the KAS Lees Court Estate Archaeological having to apply for a Footpath until the harvest was completed and learnt what a potboiler was, learnt Diversion Order; had the footpath the site prepared. The Estate team about flint knapping and most Project. Under the site directorship of Dr David Walsh of the dissected the site completely, we later moved them on to the dig site. importantly learnt how to use a University of Kent, many volunteer students from the University would have had to have waited trowel, hand shovel and hand brush. a further six weeks to obtain the Wood Court Field was planted with of Kent assisted with excavating a 25m x 5m trench over a strong necessary permission, a matter a Non-Food Crop called Echium, And then it was all over. Once given geophysical response, found in 2017, thought to be a ring ditch. we will have to address for 2019. which is one of the last crops to the all clear by Keith Parfitt and be harvested. To enable this crop Richard Taylor, the JCB returned The work carried out at Stringmans soon yielded results as a ring covered by a silty, chalk-flecked The September excavation created to be combined, the Echium is cut to backfill the area. Next, it was Field suggests the most likely ditch gradually appeared. The matrix that seems too delicate more farming complexities due and laid in rows to allow the crop the cultivator and drill. The 2019 explanation for the geophysical outer cut for the ring ditch 521 is to be part of a structure, and to both the size of the excavation to dry, allowing it to be processed crop of first wheat was drilled and anomaly is a Bronze Age barrow. clear (Figs 2 & 3) in slot trench: thought instead to be run-off from site (20x30m) and the number of through the combine. This drying is now several inches tall. This A combination of geophysical and the barrow structure (Fig 4). people expected each day. The dig period takes typically three to five crop will be harvested in late July excavation evidence suggests the The most likely purpose of the ring site was in a productive arable field days. Having had a long run of dry, 2019, and we will return to the barrow has a ring ditch c.15–20m ditch was to surround a barrow. Further examination of the section (Woods Court) as well as being a hot weather we were confident we site to continue the excavation. in diameter, approximately 1.0 to In the slot trench section profile, reveals that there appears to be high habitat area for the gamebirds. would have the crop off in plenty 1.5m wide and c.1.0m in depth. the barrow structure appeared a primary ditch fill 524. 532 is a of time but, as soon as the crop curvilinear and composed mostly of later fill of 521 that suggests the was cut it rained. This left the up-cast chalk from the excavated ditch has undergone a series of team (consisting of KAS members Excavations 2018 ring ditch, though the original re-cuts over time. No context and Lees Court Estate staff) height of the barrow has been numbers have been attributed only two days in which to get the Area 1 – Slot Trench ploughed away. South of 521 can to any re-cuts until further site marked out, topsoil removed be seen the first indications of the excavation reveals conclusive and containers and portacabin Excavations concentrated on barrow structure, which appears evidence for these potential moved to the site. Everyone pulled three areas of the 25m trench. to be composed of large chalk events. Nevertheless, these re- together, and all was completed in A slot cut at a right angle to a pieces compacted in a thin brown cuts are hypothesised in Fig 5. time for the Dig to start on time. strong geophysical response silty clay matrix. This context is

38 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 39 No pottery was found in the slot Area 3 – East • Excavate other slot trenches trench, though a small quantity of through 521 towards the centre lithic material was retrieved from East of the slot trench, Area 3 of the barrow to gain further 503, 531 and 524. The material presented some issues, not least insight into re-cuts of ring ditch consisted of flakes and pieces of because a shallow linear ditch 505 and increase the potential waste flint arising from the knapping soon became apparent which, at the for locating stratified finds; process. No cores were found. The time, was thought to be responsible patination was uniformly white. All for the magnetic anomaly in the • Deepen Area 2 to gain a the flakes were small and thin, with geophysics results (Fig 8). Indeed, better understanding of ring one or two possible primary flakes. it was not until the slot trench ditch cut into natural clays; was excavated to a depth that Area 2 – West indicated the presence of a much • Discuss with LCE the possibility broader and deeper ring ditch, of cutting an evaluation A trench to the northwest reveals that this notion was dismissed. trench on the south side of a continuation of the ring ditch, the fence to establish the but this time cut through natural The relationship between ditch diameter of the ring ditch; sandy clay. This discovery came 505 and 521 remains unclear. 505 as something of a surprise, given is partly cut into the natural chalk, • Conduct all of the above the ring ditch in slot trench is cut but its fill was visible once the top with the University of Kent to into the chalk bedrock. The chalk and plough soils were machined off. enable students to develop bedrock dives off to the northwest, Given its relatively shallow depth, their excavations skills. which must have presented a it was suggested the 505 might problem for those constructing be a Post-Medieval field boundary. the barrow, though it appears they However, subsequent results from Acknowledgements: adapted the construction method to the analysis of its fill 506 revealed The excavation was undertaken with use the natural sandy clay deposit a sherd of Later Prehistoric the support of Lady Sondes and as part of the barrow make-up, pottery (c.1500 – 600 BC). staff of the Lees Court Estate. Many though, again, much of the curvature thanks to the numerous and willing has been lost to ploughing (Fig 6). University of Kent students who Conclusions laboured through the painstaking The fill of the ring ditch in Area 2 and delicate excavation, during hot had a different composition than Although no more significant finds and sunny weather for a scarcity that found in the slot trench, due beyond the potsherds were made, of finds. Dr David Walsh, Lecturer XX mainly to the lack of chalk run-off the 2018 excavation was highly in Archaeology at Kent, said: ‘To Fig 4: North-facing section of slot trench (Fig 7). However, small sherds of successful. Current evidence have found as much as we did is showing barrow make-up pottery from the fill in this area suggests the presence of a Bronze amazing and an exciting opportunity XX reveal interesting possible dating Age barrow from c.2000 BC that for further investigation of this in Fig 5: Hypothesised re-cuts of ring ditch evidence: upper fill contained appeared to be maintained and future. Ideally, in years ahead, we in slot trench one small, but fresh sherd of possibly used up until c. 600 BC. would dig more deeply in targeted XX possible Middle Bronze Age pot areas to try to gain a better Fig 6: Adapted construction method using natural sandy clay as part of barrow (c.1500 – 1300 BC) and the lower We are now actively preparing for understanding of this barrow. This make-up fill contained two scraps of the next year’s excavation, equipped is an invaluable experience for our XX same pot which may be late Beaker with an additional series of archaeology students.’ The work Fig 7: Continuation of ditch fill (darker Potter (c.2000 – 1500 BC). research questions, answers XX throughout the summer yielded soils) to the west to which should significantly Fig 2: 521 cut into natural chalk significant reward, and we now XX enhance our understanding of XX have a much better understanding Fig 8: Linear ditch 505 cut Bronze Age Badlesmere: Fig 3: 521 and north-facing section face of the anomaly that first appeared into chalk in foreground on the geophysics in 2017.

40 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 41 LEES COURT ESTATE 2018

By Clive Drew

As 2018 draws to a close, I thought Throughout 2018 both Stringmans I would give you a quick round-up Field and Woods Court were subject on the Society’s activities on the to a full magnetometry survey. The Estate and a flavour on what we survey has thrown up more targets are planning for the 2019 Season. for further investigation at a future date. In 2019 additional survey Early 2018 was spent finalising work will commence in the hunt for the excavation timetable as we “Badlesmere Castle” at Badlesmere were going to open up three Bottom. We will also be revisiting sites in the Stringmans Field – Woods Court Field in 2019 further Woods Court Field area. The excavate a large pit in the existing next task was to purchase the trench. Hoard 1 is located to the equipment needed, and I would west of this field. The intention is like to thank Past Horizons, Opit- to cut a c.150m trench between cal, Travis Perkins and Portable the current site and Hoard 1. Space, all of whom granted the Society generous pricing. Throughout the September excavations at Woods Court and In May an evaluation excavation Stringmans Field, 253 volunteers was conducted over a 20m ring took part in the project. I understand ditch in Stringmans Field. The initial that over 30 of our guests have interpretation that the ditch could be since joined the Society, and a Neolithic causewayed enclosure this is a considerable success. will be further tested in 2019 when it is proposed to excavate a 30m x On behalf of the Society, I would 30m trench over the entire target. like to thank Lady Sondes for her drive and enthusiasm for this September saw the excavation at project, Liz Roberts and her team Woods Court Field over the site from the Estate for making us that contained two of the Bronze most welcome. From the Society’s Age Hoards found in 2017. A 30m x side Keith Parfitt for his excellent 20m trench was excavated, yielding leadership, Richard Taylor and Fred numerous prehistoric features Birkbeck for the surveying and and a collection of pottery, spot mapping, and Michael Curtis for dated to c.1150 – 1000 BC (Late his administering the site and the Bronze Age plainware tradition), digitising of all the site paperwork. consistent with the dating of the hoards. The School of Classical However, above all I would like & Archaeological Studies at the to thank all of you who travelled University of Kent at Canterbury to Badlesmere and joined in had a dedicated trench located on this wonderful project – without the edge of Stringmans Field to the you, there would be no project, east of the Neolithic causewayed and I look forward to welcoming enclosure. The initial interpretation you on site again in 2019. of the students’ work here is that they found a Bronze Age barrow.

42 | Kent Archaeological Society Winter 2018 | 43 NOTICES

Election of Trustees 2019 The condition is generally good Canterbury Cathedral A message from the although earlier books inevitably Archives & Library. Hon. General Secretary have somewhat battered or in some cases, sun faded jackets. This educational weekend On 31st December 2018, the Owing to weight and size these comprises 22 ‘events’. The lectures Society will merge with itself and items are of course collection and guided visits showcase become a Charitable Incorporated only, from Bexleyheath area. recent research on the Early Organisation (CIO) with a new Modern period, making it readily registration number with the Charity For further details, please contact accessible to a wide audience. Commission 1176989. With the [email protected] Among the internationally known merger comes a new Constitution scholars and well-known, more (in old parlance “Rules”). William Somner (1606–1669) popular historians are Alexandra Colloquium with Dr David Wright Walsham, David Starkey and Each year one-third of the Trustees Saturday 23 March 2019 Miranda Kaufmann, who will cover must retire from Council. They may Old Sessions House, topics from the Tudor Counter- seek re-election to Council. You CCCU, CT1 1PL Reformation to Black Tudors. as members of the Society are entitled to seek election to Council. This one-day colloquium to Lectures and guided tours are celebrate the 350th anniversary classified under four themes: The election process will be open of this great Kentish scholar will Kings and Queens; War and for you to submit your application be preceded by an exhibition of Politics; the Church, and Social to become a candidate on Saturday Somner manuscripts and books History to allow audiences to gain 5th January 2019. On 5th January, in the Cathedral Archives. access to new interpretations, please visit the Society’s website ideas and knowledge in a range http://www.kentarchaeology. Speakers include Professors Jackie of early modern topics. Those org.uk The whole process and Eales and Kenneth Fincham. attending book their chosen events relevant forms will be available for using a pick-and-mix approach, you to download and complete. Tickets cost £20 for the full day; £16 using the descriptions provided without the exhibition; students £10. on the Centre’s web pages. Best wishes, Tickets may be obtained from: Clive Ruth Duckworth 01227 782994 Any surplus from the Weekend Email artsandculture@ goes into the Ian Coulson Memorial Complete Set of Archaeologia canterbury.ac.uk Postgraduate Award fund to aid Cantiana – 1858 to 2016 postgraduates at CCCU who are Price £1,000 Tudors and Stuarts 2019 studying Kent history topics. Printed annually in hardback History Weekend form until very recently this full Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 For details of all the events and collection of Archaelogia Cantiana April 2019 to book: was brought together by a late Mostly held at Old Sessions www.canterbury.ac.uk/tudors- Kent Archaeologist and his wife. It House, CCCU, CT1 1PL stuarts consists of every published volume Email artsandculture@canterbury. since inception in 1858 until 2016. Supported by Canterbury ac.uk Archaeological Trust and Phone 01227 782994

If undelivered, please return to S. Broomfield, 8 Woodview Crescent, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9HD