
Kent Archaeological Society
Founded in 1857 to promote advances in knowledge of Kent’s past by fieldwork, documentary research and publication.
Events and Exhibitions
This study day takes advantage of the removal of one of the unique Thomas Becket ‘miracle windows’ in the Trinity Chapel.
Join ASE for a journey through time and be part of our 50th anniversary finale! This landmark event is open to anyone interested in the archaeology of the south-east and how ASE and its predecessors have played a key role in pushing forward understanding of our past in this region.
The Annual General Meeting of the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society (CHAS) followed by a lecture by Dr Richard Eales at 7pm.
Come and hear what was planned if WW3 ever came to Gravesend and Kent. Talks by Christoph Bull & Victor Smith to be held at the Council Chamber, Gravesend Civic Centre.
Latest News
The Faversham Creek Trust & Kent Archaeological Society will be undertaking, subject to approval by Swale Borough Council, a five-day community archaeological investigation of Front Brents, Faversham.
We want to strengthen our team by inviting new Trustees to join us in this vital work. We seek individuals eager to contribute constructive ideas and insights to help us advance our strategic initiatives and support our management team in their effective implementation.
The KAS is delighted to announce the results of the annual Thirsk Prize.
Following on from our email sent on the 28th June 2024, we have to remind you that we have made the decision to make Archaeologia Cantiana a digital publication from 2025 starting with volume 146.
What a fascinating archaeological find from Kent! The wonderful Early Medieval Kingsdown Brooch, currently on housed at National Museums Liverpool as part of the Faussett Collection.
The latest issue of the KAS Magazine is now available to Society Members.
Publications
KAS Books
Kent Defence Research Group, 2024. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
A wide-ranging history of the geography and communities of Kent from the earliest times to the present day. Edited by Stuart Bligh, Elizabeth Edwards and Sheila Sweetinburgh.
Archaeologia Cantiana
Edited by Jason Mazzocchi. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Discussions on Roman, Bronze Age, and medieval sites, living standards in fifteenth-century Canterbury, and Kentish cartographic heritage.
Prehistoric ring-ditches in Ringlemere, life as artisans and traders in Canterbury, Anglo-Saxon settlements in Faversham, and more.
Gavelkind practices, archaeological research at Bigbury Camp, studies on magnate service under Edward III, and investigations into Roman and medieval sites across Kent.
Seventh-century grave openings, medieval buildings, and England's earliest Royal Coat of Arms, cross-Channel influences, Roman and Iron Age finds, ecclesiastical history, and local cultural heritage.
The Roman Villa at Minster in Thanet, prehistoric finds at Woodnesborough, Elizabethan and early Stuart Thanet, and the military pontoon bridge between Gravesend and Tilbury during the Great War, among others.
KAS Magazine
Edited by Craig Campbell. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Edited by Richard Taylor. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Edited by Richard Taylor. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
WWII secrets, medieval graffiti, archaeological digs & heritage events.
Ancient sites, medieval animals, Dickens, Tudor and Roman finds, and more.
Tributes, archaeological updates, ancient customs, and society news, alongside regular columns and notices.
Papers
Victor Smith explores Henley’s Second World War Industrial air-raid shelters.
The north-west curtain wall of Rochester Castle forms a bastion, or projection, at the point where the medieval Rochester Bridge crossed the Medway. An excavation in 2017 revealed the watergate in the west face of the bastion for the first time in decades.
Archaeologist Alan Ward discusses what we know - or what little we know - about Rochester Castle in the time of Odo and Gundulf (1067-1088).
Dr Andrew Ashbee, 2021, Kent Archaeological Society Paper No. 3. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Christopher Collins, 2021, Kent Archaeological Society Paper No. 4. Maidstone: Kent Archaeological Society.
Jacob Harry Scott, B.A., ACIfA, 2021, Submitted for the degree of Master of Arts in Archaeology & Heritage School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester.
Resources
Audio
Our curator Andy talking live on Made in Kent Radio at 10.15am, based in Bluewater for a live interview discussing the work of the KAS. Listen back to the show on Thursday 9th January show from 03:20:00 - 03:30:0.
KAS General Manager Richard Taylor features on the 27th July episode of the Fun Kids Science Weekly podcast discussing the prehistoric discoveries at the Lees Court Estate Project.
Steve Ladner finds out why so many human remains are stored in one place. BBC Radio Kent’s Secret Kent series.
Steve Ladner finds out how disaster unfolded in the River Medway near Hadlow.
Steve Ladner explores the LGBTQ+ history at one of our most famous house and gardens.
The Victorian MP and social reform campaigner is remembered in Folkestone. Jo Burn reports.
It's 1908 and there's a murder, poison pen letters and suicide. Stever Ladner has more.
Chatham's historic dockyard is where Steve Ladner sought out the tale of a famous desk.
Do you know what's just over the hedge as you drive around the county? Steve Ladner stopped and had a look.
As the RNLI marks 200 years of saving lives at sea, Steve Ladner speaks to one of few remaining women on hand to launch the Dungeness lifeboat. Photo Credit: RNLI Dungeness.
We sneak inside Knole Park in Sevenoaks with Steve Ladner.
Have you ever wondered who looks after the windows at the Cathedral? Steve Ladner went to find out. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
The Little Gem in Aylesford, affectionately known as the smallest pub in the county and dating back to the 1100s, was closed and derelict for 10 years.
A man buried in a village churchyard next to the River Medway, played a key role in one of this country's key battles. Steve Ladner went along to find out more.
There are many hidden treasures at Smallhythe Place. Steve Ladner has been for a look.
Steve Ladner is near West Malling and asks 'where's the rest of the castle'?
As the RNLI marks 200 years of saving lives at sea, Steve Ladner hears the story of Dover's cross channel catastrophe. Photo Credit: RNLI.
Straight out of school, John De Rose began his apprenticeship at Chatham Dockyard. Jo Burn went to meet him. Photo Credit: Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
It dominates the landscape but is it a castle, a church or something completely different? Steve Ladner finds out.
Step inside the history of Hole Park Gardens with Steve Ladner.
It's Rolvenden Windmill and it only survives because of an awful accident.
'We've known it was there for years but have only just been able to reach it'. Jo Burn hears the stories behind the graffiti door.
A replica cockpit of an Avro Lancaster Bomber has landed in Manston. And the public can take it for a spin. Jo Burn reports.
Steve Ladner takes a wander around the home of Kent Cricket. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alex Pantling.
It's a century since the coal mine opened and 35 years since it closed for good. Jo Burn has been to meet the miner who turned out the lights on an energy source he still believes could have a future.
Images
LiDAR visualisation from Simon Terrey of Kent hillfort sites including Perry Wood, Richborough Castle, Oldbury, Homestall & Bigbury Camps.
A training and research website exploring the use of imaging in archaeology. The author is James Elliott, an archaeologist and diagnostic radiographer working in the United Kingdom. His area of speciality is the use of x-rays in archaeology.
One of two collections of WW2-period aerial photographs featuring Kent available at the new US National Archives Catalog.
Maps
The geographic information collated by the Society is made available through ArcGIS.
The Kent LiDAR Portal makes available imagery from various LiDAR datasets from across the county, including the recently obtained high resolution data covering over 190 square km along the Darent Valley and area of the Sevenoaks Commons, at the western end of the Kent Downs AONB.
Kent Maps Online provides a set of themed essays about Kent, a county in South East England, which include interactive maps and images.
The Historic Environment Record is an extensive collection of information relating to Kent’s heritage. The database contains information about 40,000 archaeological discoveries and 18,000 listed buildings, landscapes, excavations and library sources. The HER also contains more than 6,500 archaeological reports as well as aerial photographs and maps.
The Kent Landscape Information Sytstem (KLIS) contains details on countryside access, landscape character, identifies opportunities for habitat creation and landscape restoration, the Kent habitat survey as well as areas designated for their conservation value.
Maps published by Ordnance Survey and related bodies, including the War Office (ca. 1840s-1960s).
Models
The KAS is recording some of the finest and most intriguing items in its collections in 3D.
Updated
St Thomas Becket Church, Capel features exceptional surviving medieval painted decoration.
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St Margaret’s Church, Rainham (HE 1267793) is a grade I listed church situated on Rainham High Street in Kent (TQ 81736 65881). With origins around the Norman conquest, it features surviving architectural features and furnishings from the 13th to 15th centuries.
The Amelia Scott is a gateway to a world of art, culture, history and community in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
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The Guildhall Museum, Rochester features the history of the Medway area within one of the finest 17th century buildings in Kent. The Rochester Guildhall was built in 1687 and incorporated a courtroom and council chamber.
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Dover Castle is a Grade I listed medieval castle founded in the 11th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history.
Records
Transcription of Custumale Roffense 4r-5r by Jacob Scott (reviewed by Dr Christopher Monk). Translation and commentary by Dr Christopher Monk.
Monumental Inscriptions with concise wills of the mural monuments of All Saints Church, Maidstone. Transcribed by D.E. Williams 2022-2023.
Dr Alexander Thomas introduces The Peace of Edward and Guthrum forgery, Textus Roffensis, folios 40r-41v.
Be wifmannes beweddung (‘Concerning a woman’s betrothal’) (early-11th-century). Translation from Old English of Textus Roffensis folios 94v-95r by Dr Christopher Monk.
Monumental Inscriptions on the ledgerstones inside the church with related, concise wills. Compiled and wills transcribed by D. E. Williams.
Videos
KAS Fieldwork Forum held at The Friars, Aylesford Priory, 15th March 2025.
Dr David Brownrigg will be discussing how imaging, particularly aerial, can enrich the visualisation of archaeological sites and some of the ways this can be achieved.
This lovely post medieval seal-top spoon dating from 1600 - 1900 AD was recovered during the Lees Court Estate 2023 excavation!
The suspected ‘witch bottle’ unearthed at a house in Cliftonville features in a video by KMTV.
A short video from our curator over on TikTok (Kent Archaeological Society) showing how to identify a Roman coin, using a replica Sestertius of Domitian who was Roman emperor from 81 - 96 AD.
This latest in the series of online talks hosted by the KAS features Andrew Mayfield discussing the history of Shorne Woods Country Park, near Gravesend, a series of community archaeology excavations from 2006-2015 and the work to further research and report on the former home of a Sheriff of Kent.
About the Society

The Society’s interests include all aspects of the human past in the historic County of Kent, including the the Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham lost to London since the Society's founding.
The Society encourages local groups to remain active in fieldwork as well as historical and desk-based research, and makes grants, organises events, publications, lectures and training excavations. The Society also promotes education and the study of history and archaeology in schools and encourages people of all ages to take an interest in the subject. The Society also administers, funds and distributes grants, bursaries and prizes in support of initiatives and projects which meet our core value of bringing the past to the present for everyone.
Explore the history of the Society and its place in Kent history and archaeology over the past 170 years.
Collections
Our curator Andy has been busy repacking the archive from our Trosley Roman villa project (2022-2023).
As part of her year in industry placement, University of Reading student Holly has been illustrating our Ozengell collection. One Holly's favourite items thus far illustrated is this beautiful long rectangular Marzinik Type II.16 buckle with a long, rectangular buckle plate and narrow, D-shaped buckle frame.
This lovely little double snake was found during excavations by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU) at Harrietsham Roman Villa located near the Parish church.
Our curator Andy took the latest batch of the #Ozengell Anglo-Saxon collection over to CSI: Sittingbourne for conservation. This will be the final batch the CSI team will work on; including this lovely Early Medieval pot!
Grants
Promotes research, preservation and enjoyment of local history in the ancient County of Kent.
The Fieldwork Committee considers applications for grants for fieldwork/research in Kent.
Provides authors of successfully completed doctoral theses on the archaeology or history of Kent with grants towards the cost of publishing it in book format.
Bursary open to teachers in both primary and secondary schools to develop classroom resources based on Kent’s local history and/or archaeology.
Awarded to a dissertation judged to be a major contribution to the history or archaeology of Kent.
Research Groups
The KAS has been directly involved in conducting fieldwork in Kent since 1860. Future fieldwork undertaken by the Society will be overseen by the Archaeology Research Group (formerly the KAS Fieldwork Committee).
The group takes an interest in standing buildings from dwellings to cathedrals, arranging events and conferences, sharing resources, and encouraging publication. The group incorporates the areas of interest of the former Churches Committee.
Researches the county’s defences of all types and periods through the study of records, maps, aerial photographs, ground investigation and by other means.
The study of place names, or toponymy, includes an interest in their origins, meanings, usage and types. The group arranges events and conferences, shares resources and encourages publication.
The Maritime Kent Special Interest Group has been set up as a focal point to support and to disseminate research and information relating to Kent’s rich maritime heritage.
Library
We have had a request for help in identifying whether a painting of Santa Maria Del Compo Church in Rapallo, Northern Italy was painted by Tonbridge resident John Walter Little.
Check out the latest from Brook Rural Museum Local Stories exhibition, to which the society proudly provided images of Kentish Hop-pickers from its collection.
Did you know the Kent Archaeological Society library, based at Maidstone Museums holds thousands of books, maps, manuscripts and academic journals covering the ancient county of Kent & beyond, accessible by appointment.
The Manorial Documents Register (MDR) is the official index to English and Welsh manorial records and provides brief descriptions of documents and details of their locations in public and private hands. The National Archives at Kew now provide online access to this resource. Manorial documents include court rolls, surveys, maps, terriers, documents and books of every description relating to the boundaries, franchises, wastes, customs or courts of a manor.
Membership
Latest issues of the Society’s annual journal Archaeologia Cantiana, KAS Magazine and the E-Newsletter. Publications and events at discounted rates. Use of the Society’s Library and advice from the Society’s network of experts.
Free membership is available to registered students aged 18+ studying any subject at any institution worldwide, entitling them to full member benefits although with PDF copies of Archaeologia Cantiana and the KAS Magazine.
Two adults residing in the same household will receive between them one copy of the publications issued free to members.
Groups carrying out similar work to the Society receive a copy of the member publications, can send a voting member to general meetings, make use of the Society's survey equipment including GNSS and magnetometer, and their members can usually receive the same discounts.
Institutional subscribers receive a copy of Archaeologia Cantiana anywhere around the world.

Students
Starting in 2024, our fund will be available to all full-time student members to help cover expenses and costs during your study period. Contact our Student Ambassadors Alex Read at the University of Kent and Grace Conium at Canterbury Christ Church University to learn more about how the Student Fund can support your academic journey.
The Society provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to help conserve, curate, and digitise valuable documents and artefacts from all over Kent. With your help, we can ensure that these treasures are protected for future generations. We would love to hear from you if you're interested in getting involved in an ongoing project or developing your dissertation project.
Supported by Kent County Council
We are proud to announce that the Society has successfully secured a grant from the Kent County Council (KCC) Combined Member Grant Scheme, thanks to the recommendation of County Councillor Alan Ridgers.
People
Patrons
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Jools Holland
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The Viscount De L’Isle
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Professor David Killingray
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Mr A. I. Moffat
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The Countess Sondes
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Dr J. Whyman
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Professor Sir Robert Worcester
Management Team
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Dr Richard Taylor
GENERAL MANAGER
Responsible for the overall management of the Society’s daily operations, point of contact for the Board of Trustees and all key partnerships with external bodies, including fundraisers and grant-giving bodies.
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Rebecca Fletcher
DEPUTY MANAGER
Responsible for financial operations, the VeryConnect Management system, and Line Manager to the Management Team.
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Ann Watson
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Responsible for membership administration, conference and events planning and external enquiries.
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Craig Campbell
SOCIETY ARCHIVIST
Responsible for the care, management and interpretation of the Society’s document collections and Society Library.
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Jason Mazzocchi
ARCHAEOLOGIA CANTIANA EDITOR
Responsible for the annual production of Archaeologia Cantiana.
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Jacob Scott
DIGITAL MANAGER
Responsible for the development and production of the Society website.
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Brie Thomas
FINANCE MANAGER
Responsible for the daily management of the Society’s finances.
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Andy Ward
SOCIETY CURATOR
Responsible for the care, management and interpretation of the Society’s object collections.
A talk by Dr. Martin Watts (talkabouthistory.org), the latest in a series of online talks hosted by the KAS.