Researches and Discoveries in Kent

RESEARCHES AND DISCOVERIES IN KENT RESEARCHES AND DISCOVERIES: A REPORT ON WORK BY THE TRUST FOR THANET ARCHAEOLOGY During the one-year period, July 1996-July 1997, the time of the Thanet Trust was much taken up with two phases of evaluation and excavation on the Kent International Business Park site, and the resultant post-excavation tasks. Additionally, the Trust produced several desk-based studies relevant to large-scale developments in the Thanet area, and undertook about twenty site evaluations and watching briefs. Of these the majority yielded little or nothing of archaeological interest. Some of the exceptions where remains and finds were recorded are described below. The Trust has long held Monday 'surgeries' as liaison opportunities for metal detectorists and others, at which chance finds can be identified and recorded, and advice given on conservation and specialist contacts. While much of the material examined is mundane, consisting of such ubiquitous objects as crotal bells, assorted buckles, and worn Roman coins, they nevertheless help towards a total picture of human activity in and about Thanet. The Trust hopes that contacts and information so gained will be of service to the Kent Pilot Scheme for the voluntary recording of archaeological finds. A selection of the more interesting objects brought to the Trust's attention appears below. 227