Archaeology
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 functions of the Research Group are:
- To promote responsible archaeological research, excavation, field-walking, field survey and training courses in the County.
- To arrange and organise fieldwork/excavation projects on behalf of the KAS as and when appropriate opportunities arise.
- To arrange and organise lectures as appropriate, together with at least one day Conference and one Fieldwork Forum each year.
- To oversee and encourage working sub-groups, such as the Pottery Reference Collection, the Ceramics sub-group and the Lithics sub-group. Additional sub-groups to be setup as and when needed.
- To provide information and advice to the Trustees & KAS Management concerning: potential new KAS acquisitions and recent discoveries.
- To provide advice to other excavators in Kent if requested and to provide practical support whenever appropriate or possible.
- To encourage publication of the results of fieldwork in Kent, either through Archaeologica Cantiana or the Society Magazine or elsewhere by grant.
- To review applications for grants for fieldwork and to make recommendations to Trustees on their merits.
- Keep watch for planning applications/developments in Kent that might have a significant heritage impact and advise the Trustees and KAS Management accordingly.
Start of Lees Court Estate Project season 2024
The Kent Archaeological Society is all set to resume its investigation into the Prehistoric landscape at Lees Court Estate in 2024. We can't wait to continue our exploration of this fascinating site.
Richard Taylor will conduct geophysical surveys in the areas surrounding the current excavation sites between March and May 2024. These surveys will help identify potential targets for future investigations as part of the wider Lees Court Estate Project.
Virtual tour of Lees Court Estate excavations (beta)
Lees Court Estate post-excavation interview
Lees Court Estate: Interview with an archaeologist
UKC students granted a great opportunity
Fieldwork bulletin
Wood's Court Field Week 1
During August all our equipment, containers, marquees, offices and toilets have been moved to Wood’s Court Field. They have all had a good clean and are now ready for you.
Stringmans Field Excavation - Days 4 & 5
Days 4 & 5 were spent finishing off the initial excavations at Stringmans Field while investigating potential areas for further excavation next year. Once again, volunteers from several archaeological groups worked tirelessly, excavating, cleaning, photographing and planning aspects of the Prehistoric monument.
Stringmans Excavation Episode 3 - Revenge of the Monument
Following on from Fred Birkbeck's fantastic work at Badlesmere Bottom (top work Fred), attention has now turned to Woodcourt Field (with Keith Parfitt) and Stringmans Field (with Richard Taylor). Keith will blog separately about the wonders of Woodcourt Field, so for now, here is an update regarding the current goings-on at Stringmans Field.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 12 FINAL DAY
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 11
Some sterling work on the sections in trench 3 have revealed some interesting stratigraphy and some phasing of activity.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 10
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 9
What a difference day makes - 24 little hours later and we start the day with rain showers. Plenty of volunteers today for training day on the Lees Court Estate. We had volunteers and members from 5 different groups today including Maidstone and Lympne as well as Folkestone, Faversham and Shorne.
Badlesmere Bottom - Day 8
Fred Birkbeck reports on excavations at Badlesmere Bottom on Lees Court Estate.
We were back on site today after our bank holiday break, replenished and ready to go.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Days 6 and 7
Phew, what a scorcher! The last two days have certainly taken their toll on us at Badlesmere Bottom, the daily update machine has needed extra ventilation and is now back in operation with a double update.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 5
Work continues on day 5 of our dig and what a fantastic amount of work KAS members are getting through. Lady Sondes was impressed and fascinated when she visited the site late in the afternoon.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 4
The increase in numbers meant that we could devote our attentions to trench 3 and leave trenches 1 and 2 for now. This trench was positioned along a group of three linear anomalies and the northern edge of a circular anomaly based on the results of the geophysical survey (see the annotated results below)
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 3
The first 'slot' of the season was opened on a very innocuous looking linear in trench 1. The first couple of spades produced some Iron Age potter which puts a whole different perspective on the trench. Any thoughts of a quick clean-up, record and shut-down were quickly put to one side.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 2
The containers and office arrived on the Woods Court site newly stocked and refurbished (with some heavy duty security after last year's break-in). Members and council members alike were involved with the setting up of the marquee, organisation of the stock container and preparation of the administrative material, all ready for members to pop down and get cracking straight away.
Badlesmere Bottom 2019 - Day 1
Members of the Folkstone Research and Archaeology Group, the Shorne Woods Archaeological Group and the Faversham Society Archaeological Research Group were out today helping Richard and I to set up for the two week 'warm up' dig in advance of Keith's hoard dig.