EXCAVATIONS AT SPITAL STREET, DARTFORD, 1991
ALISON J. HICKS
With a contribution by Trevor Anderson
INTRODUCTION
In October 1991, an excavation was undertaken by the Canterbury
Archaeological Trust on the site of nos. 37--41 Spital Street, Dartford
(N.G.R. TQ 54027412; C.A.T. site no. 319) in advance of a proposed
re-development by Talus Developments Limited. The development
scheme was to incorporate a basement car park along the street
frontage to the south, an area already basemented by previous
buildings. The principal aim of the excavation was to determine the
nature of the Roman strata, and hopefully locate the line of Roman
Watling Street, so the excavation was positioned within the confines of
the former basements in order to minimise the amount of overburden to
be removed.
The excavation, of four weeks' duration, uncovered an area of 57
square metres (Plate I, Fig. 1). Dividing walls aligned north-south
between the properties at nos. 37 and 39--41 Spital Street effectively
separated the excavation into two areas, that to the west being more
heavily truncated by the overlying basement than that to the east. It
was, therefore, within the eastern area that much of the excavation was
concentrated.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Evidence was revealed of Roman occupation. This included the
remains of a metalled road constructed in the first century A.D.,
perhaps laid shortly following the Roman conquest to provide a
primary link between Canterbury and London, and so form the early
line of Watling Street. An attendant road ditch was located to the north,
in the backfill of which lay the remains of a small baby, possibly newborn.
During a period of disuse, an earth deposit was allowed to form
413
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Fig. 7. Phase VI and VII - Abandonment: Medieval and post-medieval activity
EXCAVATIONS AT SPITAL STREET, DARTFORD, 1991
The ceramic evidence suggests that the site was abandoned for a
period of some 700 years. After this time, sporadic activity occurred
within the area from the late eleventh century onwards, with the casual
loss of finds onto the ground, following which there was increased
activity within the immediate vicinity from the mid-late twelfth century
onwards.
Phase VII - Medieval and post-medieval activity (Fig. 7)
Features relating to the medieval and post-medieval period were
heavily truncated by later post-medieval activity. In addition, they were
concentrated within too small an area to be interpreted within a wider
context. They consisted of four post-holes (7, 9, 11 and 14), possibly
indicating a fence line, whilst a curious ditch-like feature (5) cut to the
north. The ditch had been open for a time, allowing the sides to erode
and erosion deposits (60, 61) to form at its base. It was capped with a
clay loam (4).
The latest activity identified upon the site was represented by wall
footings yielding sixteenth- to early seventeenth-century pottery. They
were formed from a gully-shaped cut (3), aligned north-south, packed
with a highly compacted fill of pale grey-buff, very clayey loam (2) to
provide stable footings for a wall above. Terminating 2.40 m. north of
the southern excavation edge, they indicated the location of a cellar
wall within the rear of buildings fronting Spital Street.
All subsequent post-medieval occupation horizons were removed by
the insertion of basemented buildings along Spital Street, demolished
immediately prior to the archaeological investigations.
THE HUMAN BONES Trevor Anderson
The remains of two skeletons were recovered from the excavations at
Spital Street, Dartford, one (skeleton 1) a burial within the remains of a
large flagon (44) (Phase III), the other (skeleton 2) recovered from fill
(51) within the road ditch (Phase I).
Skeleton 1
The lower half of this skeleton is practically complete, although the
fibulae are fragmentary and the feet bones were not recovered. The
upper half was poorly preserved: incomplete lower arm bones;
damaged right scapula; left clavicle; fragmentary ribs and vertebrae.
The skull was represented by six vault fragments and the right half of
the mandible. The surrounding soil ( 43) was sieved and fragments of a
427
ALISON J. HICKS
left clavicle, right radius and ulna were found to join with those of the
articulated skeleton. Foetal/new-born humeri, metacarpals, rib,
vertebrae and cranial fragments were also recovered from the sieved
soil. The bones were quite solid, although the shafts had suffered
erosion and were encrusted with coarse, gritty soil.
From the 119 foetal metrics defined by Fazekas and Kosa (1978)
only nineteen measurements could be taken on ten different bones. All
of these, including the maximum length of the arm and the leg bones
(ulna 60.4 mm.; radius 54.8 mm.; femur 76.9 mm.; tibia 66.1 mm.)
suggest that the remains are either full-term or new-born. Two
unerupted deciduous teeth (left maxillary canine and first molar)
recovered from the sieving support this conclusion. As such it is
possible that the bones represent a still-born baby. The height/depth
ratio of the greater sciatic notch of the ilium suggest that the remains
may be male (Schutowski, 1989). However, this index is by no means a
diagnostic sexing criterion. There was no evidence of cause of death, or
signs of osseous pathology, on the available bones.
Skeleton 2
This skeleton is poorly preserved. Only five small cranial vault fragments
were recovered. Eleven vertebrae were represented and the few available
ribs were fragmentary. The pelvic bones were not recovered, nor were
any hand or feet bones. The arm and upper leg bones were available for
examination. The surrounding soil was not sieved. The condition of the
bones was good. Unlike those of Skeleton 1, they had not suffered
erosion nor were they encrusted with gritty soil.
Only five measurements could be taken on three different bones:
humerus; ulna and femur. These measurements suggest that the remains
are either full-term or new-born (ulna 60.1 mm.; femur 74.3 mm.). The
dentition was not available for examination. As with Skeleton 1, it is
possible that the bones represent a still-born baby. The absence of the
pelvic bones means that no attempt can be made to sex the remains.
There was no evidence of cause of death, or signs of osseous pathology,
on the available bones.
Conclusion
Analysis of the recovered human bones shows that two individuals are
represented. Both are either full-term or new-born, possibly still-born
babies. It is possible, but not certain, that one of them is male. The
remains do not display any osseous pathology and cause of death
cannot be ascertained. There is no skeletal evidence to support a
familial relationship.
428
EXCAVATIONS AT SPITAL S TR EET, DARTFORD, 1991
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Boreham, 1990
Codrington, 1918
P.W. Boreham, Dar tford Through Time, Dartford
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T. Codrington, Roman Roads in Britain, S.P.C.K.,
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Dartford District Archaeological Dartford District Archaeological Group, Rediscovering
Group, 1986 Dartford with Dartford District Archaeological Group,
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Farwell and Molleson, 1992
Fazekas and K6sa, 1978
Mackreth, 1992
Philpott, 1991
Schutowski, 1989
D.E. Farwell and T.I. Molleson, Excavation s at
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Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society
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I. Gy. Fazekas and F. K6sa, Forensic Feta! Osteology,
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D.F. Mackreth, 'A Late La Tene Brooch from Spital
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R. Philpott, Burial Practices in Roman Britain. A
survey of grave treatment and furnishing A.D. 43-410,
BAR British Series 219, 1991.
H. Schutowski, 'Beitrag zur Alters und Geschlechtsdiagnose
am Skelett nichterwachsener I ndividuen',
Anthrop. Anz. 47 (1989), 1-9.
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