A Roman site at Home Farm, Eynsford

A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY This site lies on the south bank of the River Darent at Home Farm, about 200m west of the parish church of St Martin of Tours, Eynsford (TQ 5385 6555). It occupies part of a low lying pasture and is sandwiched between the river and an old dyke to the south (Fig. l).The underlying soil comprises river gravels forming the flood plain. The site lies at an elevation of 125 m OD. In November 1971 a substantial Roman building was discovered during construction work on the nearby Working Men's Club. 1 Further work by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit in 1979 revealed another Roman wall during the additional building work at the Club and as part of the Thames Water project, more Roman features and a previously unknown medieval site were also discovered. The nearby Eynsford Castle has numerous Roman tiles built into its fabric and a Roman burial was also discovered at Pollyhaugh in 1957. 2 In I 985 Thames Water commenced the construction of a major pipeline between Farningham and Sevenoaks. As the line of the new sewer passed close to several known archaeological sites, prior excavation of the threatened areas was arranged by KARU in agreement with Thames Water.' In November 1985 the Unit mechanically excavated a single trench, 152 x 2m, along the line of the sewer pipe at Home Farm and located an area of archaeological interest. This zone was subsequently expanded into an area of 6 I 2sq.m to establish the limits of the site and all features were then excavated, planned and recorded. This work and the subsequent excavation by hand, completed in 33 days, revealed 27 features of either Roman or medieval date, including six ditches, four pits, one drain, two Roman cremation burials, two tanks, one waterpipe and eleven post-holes. THE EXCAVATED FEATURES (Fig. 2) Fl - Medieval Ditch This was at the south-eastern end of the site and was traced for 49 0 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY Ill SPAREPENNY LANE o ..... 00 ( '-'-'-􀀈 . 􀀉"· ,. 􀀁􀀂 ";, i Co PUBLIC HOUSE ,,,,. WORKINO MENS CLUB EYNSFORD t CHURCH Metres 100 200 Fig. I Site location maps. RJVE.AOAAl!NT 300 11.30m, running NE-SW. Its average width was 1.25m and average depth 40cm. The sides were sloping and it had a narrow flat base (Section 1, Fig. 3 ). Its fill consisted of dark grey clay loams with pebbles [EFSP-85: 8, 152, 156, 157]. Four slots representing about 40 per cent of the total length were cut across the ditch and these produced I 08 coarse potsherds, I 0 pieces of medieval tile and a small 50 I ·-·-·-·- -· I I ! L_ WATER PIPE // I , r I I I I -·-·-·-·-·-·- , I I [􀀂 I -·-·-----. 10 .r·-. ,. .--- --------􀀬 ·-·-·-·􀀌.;.􀀍.;;􀀎; ·-·-·-·-·-·-·- ---,;:t!ic l , DITCH F16 􀁼, ' ;,, • P.H. F13 ME.Dll;VAL '-:':·\/.,s􀀎, POSTED ! t Clll!MATION t{f31 STRUCTURE : • P.H.F11 • PJ{. FS @ CAt!!WATION N (F•t ' ' .. P.H.F12 .---- P.H.F14 • • P.H. F8 • P.H. fS NORTH DITCH/RE-CUT F2b ENCLOSURE MEDIEVAL DITCH F1 EYNSFORD, HOME FARM 1985/86 OVERALL SITE PLAN 1 1 I I -·--·-----·---·----- -·-·---·-· 1 20 30 Fig. 2 Site plan showing Features. --i I - __ i I I ______ j I I i KEY 􀀂] m [ill ,,.-, □ 􀀞 J􀀄qJ, LOAM CLAY SILT FLINT PEBBLES TILE CHAU< 0 BRIAN PHil..P AND MAURICE CHENERY N SECTION 2 TANK F9 DITCH F19 SECTION 1 WEST DITCH F2a SECTION 3 t,/ATUflAl O􀀋AVl=I. SECTION 4 Metres 2 Fig. 3 Sections across Features FI, F2b, F9 and Fl9. 52 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD amount of bone and shell. The pottery mainly represents jugs and cooking pots of thirteenth- and fourteenth-century date (Nos l-8, see catalogue below). F2A - Enclosure West Ditch This was located at the centre of the site and consisted of two arms of a wide-angled ditch forming the corner of a large enclosure. The longer (west) arm of the two ran on a NE-SW axis for a minimum of 7m. The ditch turned some 65° where it was traced for a further 4.50m in an E-W direction, where it was largely superseded by a later ditch, or re-cut F2B (Section 2, Fig. 3). The ditch had an average width of 2.30m, with sloping sides and a rounded base. It was generally 55cm deep. Its fill consisted of a light yellow-brown clay loam with flint and gravel. Although no dating evidence was recovered, on stratigraphical grounds the ditch can be considered the earliest feature on the site. F2B - Re-cut of Enclosure North Ditch This feature was about 14m long and ran on a roughly E-W axis. Its east end had had a rounded terminal. The ditch followed the line of the earlier one [F2A) and is considered to be a re-cut of the same ditch. It was between l .00-1.40m wide, had sloping sides and a rounded base. Its depth was generally 50cm (Section 2, Fig. 3). Its fill consisted of dark grey and black clay loams with pebbles [EFSP- 85-9, 153 and 159]. The ditch was cut in four places, representing about fifty per cent of its length, which produced 240 coarse potsherds, 16 samian sherds, a single mortarium sherd and a small amount of animal bone. Two pieces of iron (probably nails) were also recovered. The pottery is dated to AD 150-250 (Nos 9-14 ). F2C - Enclosure Ditch East This was located at the east end of the site and was cut by the medieval Ditch FI. It was traced for a mini mum of 6.00m on a roughly E-W axis, but clearly continued. Its west end had a rounded terminal which seems to have marked the entrance to the enclosure, some 1.75m wide. The width of the ditch varied between I .OOm at the terminal end and I .40m at the east. The sides were gently sloping and 53 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY KEY 􀀂] m [I}] ,,JtJ □. 􀀡 ,􀀄q}j WATER PIPE F21 0 LOAM CLAY SILT FLINT PEBBLES TILE IU,TU1V,\. OFIAVll. Metre o.. O • CHAU< POSTED STRUCTURE POST HOLE F12 N S 1 • • •o􀀆• '-':t?1o,. •., C o N,.TU"AL Qi;IAVEL o • O • SECTION 9 SECTION 7 CR􀀥MATION I (1'11} CINiAARY Ve.s&Rl. A SECTION 8 POST HOLE F13 00 .. SECTION 10 Metres Fig. 4 Sections across Features F21, F16, F!2 and Fl3. 54 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD it had a rounded base. Its fill consisted of a dark grey-brown clay loam with many pebbles [EFSP-85-158]. The ditch was cut in two places, representing 50 per cent of its length, and these produced 22 coarse potsherds, two samian vessels, a small amount of animal bone and pieces of glass and bronze. The pottery can be dated to AD 180-230 (Nos 15-17). F3 - Cremation I This was located near the north-east part of the site close to the terminal end of medieval ditch [FI 6]. The cremation pit was oval, measuring 40 x 35cm, and was 21 cm deep. It had sloping sides and a flattish base (Section 8, Fig. 4). The fill consisted of a fine clay loam with pebbles [EFSP-85-168]. The cremation consisted of a group of three vessels, all placed in an upright position on the base of the pit: - a cup with cornice rim (No. 18, see below p. 67) - a cinerary vessel containing cremated bone (No. 19) - a flagon with the rim missing (No. 20) A small amount of cremated bone was also found adjacent to, and under, Pot No. I 8. The pottery can be dated to AD 120-160. F4 - Cremation II This was located about l .00m from Cremation I and consisted of a circular pit 34cm in diameter and 31cm deep. The sides were steep and the base flat. The fill was a fine grey clay loam with some pebbles and flint lumps [EFSP-85-169]. The group contained four vessels. The largest vessel (No. 23, see below p. 67) occupied most of the pit and sat upright on the bottom. The other three vessels were positioned on, or above, it. - a small flagon (No. 2 I), upright on rim of No. 23 - a poppyhead beaker (No. 22), inverted on rim of No. 23 - a Patch Grove cinerary vessel (No. 23) containing cremated bones - a samian dish (Form 3 I) placed over the top of No. 23 to form a lid. The pottery can be dated to AD l 00-150. F9-Tank This was situated in the centre-north of the site where it was only 55 PIT F10 NE SW ·. SECTION 5 PIT F15 SECTION 6 NAnul,U GAA\lll. 0􀀄 Metres􀀅 ===::::2 ==:l' _ ;4 Fig. 5 SecfI on s across Features FIO and Fl5. A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD partially excavated as it continued beyond the limits of the excavation. The tank was rectangular and measured a minimum of 2.20m N-S by 2.1 0m E-W. Its depth was 34cm. The sides were steep and the base wide and flat (Section 3, Fig. 3). The tank had a yellow clay lining up to 15cm thick, but this was missing in the south-west corner adjacent to drain FI 7. The fill consisted of grey-brown or black loams with some green staining, chalk, carbon specks and some pebbles [EFSP-85-171, 172]. The tank produced 108 coarse potsherds (Nos 24-31), three samian sherds, a coin (KFl l ), two bronze bracelets, two bronze objects (No. 81 ), two quern stone fragments, three iron nails and eight animal bones, including a horse skull. The pottery can be dated to AD 200-300. The coin is of Claudius II (AD 268-270). Fl 0 - Pit This large pit was situated at the north-west corner of the site and cut the Tank (FI 8). The pit was oval, 4.75 x 4.60m in area and 1.30m deep. Its sides were sloping and it had an irregular base, deeper at the centre of the pit. The various fills consisted of a primary deposit of sand and pebbles [EFSP-85-179]. Above this was a wide band of grey-brown loam with much flint and pebble [EFSP-85-162). The middle fill consisted of a dump of compact white chalk lumps up to 45cm thick [EFSP-85-163]. The upper fills were dark grey or black loams and clay loams with flint lumps [EFSP-85-155, I 6 I]. This pit contained eight pieces of wood (A-H), some showing clear signs of working. The wood was confined to a central area within the pit and within two deposits [EFSP-85-162, I 63] (Section 5, Fig. 5). Details of the wood are given in Table 1. The wood lay horizontally and randomly and there was no evidence of a structure. Three of the pieces seem to have been sharpened stakes, four were branches and one was triangular in section. Two small post-holes [F23 and F24] were found in the bottom of the pit. A total of about 250 coarse potsherds, three samian sherds and a single mortarium were recovered; as well as a large amount of animal bone, a quernstone (No. 78) and some shell and glass fragments. The pottery shows a date range from AD 120-250 for the primary fills and to AD 200-300 for the upper fills. This suggests that the pit was being used for domestic rubbish for over 100 years (Nos 32-49). Pit - FIS This large pit was irregular in shape, measuring 4.70m N-S by 3.40m 57 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY TABLE l. DETAILS OF TIMBERS IN PIT FlO Wood Length Width Depth Details A 1.74 0.44 0.24 Broken branch, no tool marks B 2.50 0.20 0.12 Black, burnt, half trunk section, pointed C 1.50 0.14 0.15 Black, stained, roughly pointed at both ends D 0.28 0.10 0.05 Small broken branch, no tool marks E 0.70 0. I I 0.05 Ditto F 0.72 0.09 0.07 Triangular section, black stained G 0.12 0.10 0.05 Small broken branch, no siim of tool marks H 0.58 0.05 0.05 Black, burnt, sharpened to point at one end E-W. It was 69cm deep and had steep/sloping sides and a wide flat base (Section 6, Fig. 5). The fill consisted of a sequence of greybrown loams with flint, pebbles, some tile and chalk lumps [EFSP- 85-170, 173, 174). The pit produced 58 potsherds, three samian sherds, one mortarium, 30 animal bones, two lumps of millstone (Nos 79-80) and a single iron nail. The pottery has a date range from the second century for the lower fills to AD 350 for the upper (Nos 50-55). Like Pit 10, this indicates a long period of use. The pit clearly cut the Roman Ditch F2 and was itself cut by Drain FI 7. FI 6 - Medieval Ditch This shallow ditch was located on the north edge of the site and continued beyond the limit of the excavation. A length of 8.20m was recorded and it tapered at its east end. The average width was 55cm and it had sloping sides and a flat base (Section 8, Fig. 4). The fill consisted of a grey-brown loam with some flints [EFSP-85-164, 167). The ditch was excavated in two places, representing about 30 per cent of the total and this produced seven coarse potsherds and an iron nail. The pottery is of thirteenth/fourteenth-century date. 58 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD F17 - Drain This drain was located near the centre of the site on a roughly E-W axis, between Tank F9 and Roman Ditch Fl9. The drain survived for a distance of only 5.50m. It was generally 70cm wide and 15cm deep, with sloping sides and a flattish base. The fill consisted of a variety of grey-green clay loams with flints and chalk and some daub lumps [EFSP-85-175, 178]. The west end of the drain contained a fill of mainly small chalk lumps. The east end was cut by a small pit (F20) and this destroyed the relationship of the drain with Tank F9 into which the drain probably fed. The west end was destroyed by the later Ditch FI 9. The drain was sectioned in four places, representing about 60 per cent of the total and this produced just seven coarse potsherds and a single animal bone. The pottery can be dated to about AD 200-250. F18 - Tank This was located in the north-west part of the site and continued beyond the limits of the excavation. The tank was rectangular and measured a minimum of 3.75 x 2.80m. Its depth was 34cm with steep to sloping sides and a wide flat base. The base showed a lining of mottled organic yellow clay up to 25cm thick [EFSP-85-180]. The original lining showed several repairs and either grey clays [EFSP-85-185], or grey-black clay [EFSP-85-182]. The fill within the tank consisted of grey-brown gritty loams [EFSP-85-181 and 183]. The clay lining produced a total of 16 coarse potsherds and a single samian sherd. The pottery can be dated to 180-250. The fill produced a total of 13 coarse ware potsherds (No. 56) and these can be dated to 180-220. The waterpipe (F21) emptied into this tank at the south-west side. Fl9 - Ditch This was located at the west end of the site and ran on a slightly curving axis SE-NW. It continued beyond the limits of the excavation. The ditch was initially traced for 9.50m, but an extension to the west traced it for a further 7m (not on the site plan, Fig. 2). The total length noted was thus about 16m. The ditch had a rounded terminal at its south-east end, where it cut Ditch 2A. Its average width was about 1.30m and depth about 40cm. It had gently sloping sides and a 59 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY rounded base (Section 4, Fig. 3). Its fill consisted of a grey-brown clay loam with flint [EFSP-85-154, 176, 184]. It was sectioned in three places, representing about 25 per cent of the total and this produced 51 coarse potsherds, five samian sherds and a single mortarium. The pottery can be dated to 150-200 (Nos 57-62). The ditch cut Pit F25 and Drain F l 7. It also cut the south-west lip of Ditch F2A. The ditch was itself subsequently cut by Drain F2 l. F20 - Pit This small pit cut the north-east end of Drain FI 7 and Tank F9. It was oval, 78 x 60cm, and only 20cm deep. The sides were steep/sloping with a flat base. The fill was a dark grey clay loam with flint and carbon. No finds were recovered. F21 - Waterpipe This was traced for a mini mum of I Orn on a NE-SW axis near the north-east corner of the site. The cut for the drain was generally 65cm wide and 47cm deep, with sloping sides and a flat base (section 7, Fig. 4). The fill was grey-brown clay loam with flints (EFSP-85-186, 187). This produced 44 coarse potsherds, a single samian sherd and four animal bones. The bulk of the pottery can mostly be dated to AD 250-300 with a small amount of earlier, derived material, datable to AD 150-200 (Nos 63-68). This drain contained the poorly preserved remains of a square wooden pipe, linked by two iron collars. The wooden pipe was traced for a minimum of 5.50m and the collars, both 4cm wide, were only about 15cm apart. It seems likely that a hole, perhaps about 5-7 cm in diameter, would have been drilled through the wood and that the two iron collars marked the connection of two separate lengths of pipe. F25 - Pit This pit, near the west side of the site, was only partially seen. It was oval in shape, measuring a minimum of 2.80m E-W x 1.75m N-S. The sides were sloping; it had a wide flat base and it was 47cm deep. The fill consisted of a mixed grey-green clay loam with flints [EFSP-85- 177]. The pit produced 13 coarse potsherds dated to AD 150-200. It was badly cut by later features F17, F2 l and Roman Ditch F 19. 60 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM. EYNSFORD The Posted Structure The existence of a possible posted structure was suggested by four post-holes situated at the centre-north of the site, out of a total of 11 found on the site (see Table 2). The post-holes [FI 1-14] form the south-east corner of a possible fence-line, or timber structure. Three of the post-holes form the east side [FI 1-13) whilst a single post-hole [FI 4] forms the possible south side. The angle of the corner was I 08 ° . Nor were the post-holes equidistant, the spacings being: F l 3-FI I= 2.00m F l l-F l2= 1.20m F l2-FI4 = 2.00m The line of the east side probably continued beyond the limits of the excavation, whilst the line of the south side may well have been destroyed by later features. Two of the post-holes [FI 2 and FI 3 I TABLE 2. DETAILS OF POST-HOLES FNo. Shape Length Width DePth Base Fill 5 Circ. 35 - 37 R Dark grey day loam and pebbles 6 Oval 32 27 35 R Ditto 7 Oval 30 23 4 7 Flat Ditto 8 Oval 35 31 13 R Ditto 11 Oval 56 42 21 R Dark grey day loam, flint and tile 12 Circ. 47 - 20 Flat Fine dark grey clay loam 13 Oval 63 59 4 0 Flat Grey brown sandy silt, flint 14 Oval 48 47 20 R As FI I 22 Circ. 30 - 55 Flat Dark brown peaty loam 23 Circ. 12 - 24 Flat Mottled brown loam. Base of FIO 24 Circ. 15 - 39 Flat Ditto D1mens1ons m cm. All were steep-sided except F8 which had sloping sides. R=rounded. 61 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY clearly showed a socket into which a post had been set and F13 contained numerous flint lumps as packing (Sections 9 and I 0, Fig. 4). Only one post-hole [F13] produced datable finds [EFSP-85-166]. These were two coarse potsherds of a shell-loaded fabric and a single piece of samian, all of late first-century date. This suggests that the structure cannot be earlier than about AD 80 and on circumstantial grounds is likely to be of late first- or early second-century date. THE FINDS A total of 1,931 objects was recovered from the site and these are listed in Table 3: TABLE 3. THE EXCAVATED OBJECTS Coarse Potsherds 1540 Samian ware 47 Mortaria 5 Quernstone (see catalogue) 7 Tile 97 Animal bone 148 Shell 18 Struck flint 20 Glass 5 Misc. Iron 24 Other 20 Total 1931 The Coarse Pottery The coarse pottery was recovered from both general deposits ( 485 sherds) and specific features ( I 055 sherds). Most of the excavated area and much of the initial trench were covered by a black loam I 0-25cm in depth. This seemed to seal most of the features and it effectively represents the actual occupation horizon of the site itself. The pottery recovered from it was mostly of the second-fourth centuries (Nos 73- 77) or of the twelfth/thirteenth centuries (69- 72), thus representing the two principal periods of settlement. The majority of the Roman pottery dates from c. AD 150-300. Samian Some 47 sherds were recovered, five from unstratified contexts and the rest from features (see Table 4). These represent a minimum of 31 vessels, two of 62 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD TABLE 4. CATALOGUE OF SAMIAN WARE (All context EFSP-85) 9 [F2B] 153 [F2BJ 154 [F19] 155 [FI0] 158 [F2C] 159 [F2B) 160 fGLl 162[FI0] 163[Fl 0] 165 [GL] 166 [Fl3] 169 [F4] 170 [FIS] 171 [F9] 172 [F9] 174 [F15] 179 [FI0] 184{Fl 9] 185 [F18) 187 [F21} Dr 31 or 3 I R, Central Gaul, Antonine Dr 31 R, Central Gaul, mid-late Antonine Walters 79, Central Gaul, mid-late Antonine Dech 72 with incised floral motif (cf. Oswald & Pryce 1920, pl. 77, nos I and 3); Antonine (3 sherds, probably all from same vessel; fourth from 153) Incised sherd from the Dech 72 iar in 9; burnt Dr 27, South Gaul, Flavian Dr 45, Central Gaul, later C2 Dr 37 probably, Central Gaul, with fine wavy line diagonal; Hadrianic-earlv Antonine. Abraded. Dr 45 probably, East Gaul (Trier), late 2nd-mid 3rd C Dr 37 foot, Central Gaul, probably Hadrianic - early Antonine Bowl base (Dr 38 etc), Central Gaul, Antonine; heavily abraded interior (S ioined sherds) Dr 40 with groove at centre of wall, Central Gaul, midlate Antonine (9 adjoining sherds). Very abraded interior Dr 27, Central Gaul, early 2nd century Dr 33, Central Gaul, Hadrianic-Antonine Dr 3 I or 31 R, Central Gaul, Antonine Dr 45, Central Gaul, later 2nd century Dech 72, tip of incised floral motif, Central Gaul, Antonine Dr 38, Central Gaul, Antonine Central Gaulish cup sherd Dr 31, Central Gaul, Antonine Dr 3 I, Central Gaul, Antonine Rim, probably Dr 30 or 37 rather than 31, Central Gaul, Antonine Dr 27, Central Gaul, Hadrianic-early Antonine Dr 18/31, Central Gaul, Hadrianic-early Antonine Lud SMb, SMc, East Gaul, with barbotine leaves; early-mid third century; worn inside Dr 3 lR probably, Central Gaul, mid-late Antonine, worn interior Dr 33, Central Gaul, Antonine Dr 18/31, Central Gaul, stamped A[; Hadrianic-early Antonine Bowl sherd, East Gaul (probably Trier); late 2nd-mid 3rd century; abraded Dr 31 or 31 R, Central Gaul, mid-late Antonine 63 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY which are marginally stamped. Only one sherd seems to be of late first• century date; the majority is of Antonine date whilst several vessels could date as late as the mid third century. Form 31 seems to predominate. Tile Some 97 fragments were recovered, only 13 being medieval and the rest Roman. Of the latter, three are fragments of bridging tiles, 16 of box-flue tiles, 13 imbreces, 21 tegulae and 31 others are either flat bricks, or tegulae. Animal bone Only 148 fragments were recovered and most came from the Roman features. Of these 51 came from Pit F l 0 where horse ( l ), sheep (3), oxen (2), pig ( l) jaws were present. Elsewhere, horse (2), sheep (2), oxen (3) and pig (4) were again represented. No detailed study of such a small collection is likely to produce significant results and the same animal could be represented in different features. Shell, Flints, Glass and Iron A small number of oyster shells were recovered, 12 from Roman Pit Fl0 and three from FI medieval ditch. Only 20 struck flints were found, both in features and in general deposits. Most are small struck primary flakes, few with minimal secondary working and in a range of colours. All must represent prehistoric activity in this area and the small number recovered is probably typical of a much wider region. Only five fragments of Roman glass were recovered, four being from vessels and one being a very thin piece of window glass. The latter and three of the vessels came from Pit FI 0. These include a small part of a square bottle and a fragment of a small globular vessel with an applied decorative bead. The remaining piece is part of a large rectangular bottle. All the glass is pale blue or pale green. Some 24 pieces of iron were found, including eight nails. Of these, 17 came from unstratified deposits and the rest from Roman features. None was of special significance. Other finds A further 20 miscellaneous objects were recovered. A coin (AD 268-70), fragments of two bronze bracelets, a small bronze strip and a shaped bronze sheet, with repair and rivets (No. 81 ), were all found in Tank F9. In addition, four small pieces of wood, one iron nail from medieval ditch F l 6, a simple bronze buckle (unstratified), six fragments of daub, one of tufa and one of opus signinum were also found. 64 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD CATALOGUE OF COARSE POTTERY Feature l Medieval Ditch (Thirteenth/Fourteenth Centuries) (Fig. 6) No. I Wall sherd of jug of sandy ware. Dark grey paste and grey surface. Thumb-pressed strap decoration on exterior. [EFSP-85-8) No. 2 Jug with outcurved rim of hard sandy ware. Light grey paste and dark grey surface. Perforation under rim. [EFSP-85-8) No. 3 Handle of jug of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. Multiple pricking on exterior. [EFSP-85-8) No. 4 Jug with outcurved flattened rim of hard sandy ware. Dark grey paste and grey-black surface. [EFSP-85-8) No. 5 Handle of jug of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-black surface. Pricking on external surface. [EFSP-85-8) No. 6 Jug with upright rim of hard sandy ware. Buff paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-8) No. 7 Base of cooking pot of hard sandy ware. Dark grey paste and I ight brown surface. fEFSP-85-8] No. 8 Shoulder of jug of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. Pairs of vertical lines scored below neck. (EFSP-85-152) Feature F2b (Enclosure North Ditch) (Fig. 6) No. 9 Bead rim dish of sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. Slight burnishing. [EFSP-85-9) Typically late second-/early third-century. No. 10 Wall sherd of probable Nene Valley ware beaker. White paste and black-brown slip with applied decoration of running animal. [EFSP-85-9] Early third-century type. No. 11 Bead rim dish of sandy ware. Dark grey paste and grey-brown surface. [EFSP-85-9] Same date as No. 9. No. 12 Jar with outcurved, squared rim of sandy ware. Grey paste and grey surface. Slight cordon on shoulder. [EFSP-85-9) Late second-century. No. 13 Bowl with upright rim and horizontal flange in soft ware. Dark grey paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-9) First half of third century. No. 14 Wide jar with outcurved rim. Grey paste and buff-brown surface. Two slight cordons on shoulder. [EFSP-85-159) A common second-century type. Feature F2c (Enclosure East Ditch) (Fig. 6) No. 15 Rim and neck of flagon in soft ware. Black paste and pink surface. Four rings on rim and handle missing. [EFSP-85-158] No. 16 Dish with horizontal flanged rim in light sandy ware. Grey-black paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-158] First half of third century. 65 - - 1·,, •• 􀀟 • I t ♦ s•=• 􀀐 !., • I .. , ,I I· . . . / ' ;􀀆--8 􀀇 , {- ... · .- ·: . . . . . 0 fl, 0 ,. . .. ·,.· . . . "' ·. 3 ...... . -· ...... 6 ' --􀀑-- ··./ f􀀃o􀀄 'i....;· ---===111=· =· -,/) 14 m,' \. '· 15 ·. 13 . . ... . 􀀏 .< I · t . . .. :::.::>' 16 Fig. 6 Medieval and Roman Pottery (¼ scale). A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD No. 17 Dish with upright rim in well fired sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. [EFSP-85-158] A common late second/early third-century type. Feature F3 (Cremation I) (Fig. 7) No. 18 Cup with cornice rim of soft ware. Grey paste and grey surface. Zones of studs on exterior. Small foot-ring. [EFSP-85-168] No. 19 Cooking pot (rim largely missing) of sandy ware. Dark grey paste and buff-brown surface. Burnished lattice decoration on exterior. This vessel contained the cremated bones. [EFSP-85-168] Mid second-r,.ntury. No. 20 Flagon (rim missing) of fine sandy ware. Grey-white fao •.. , pink surface internally and uneven white surface externally. Shallow foot-ring and raised base. [EFSP-85-168] Feature F4 (Cremation II) (Fig. 7) No. 21 Flagon with ringed neck and ribbed handle in fine sandy ware. Buff paste and cream-white surface. Shallow foot-ring. [EFSP-85-169] No. 22 Small beaker with poppy-head rim of fine soft ware. Grey-brown paste and light grey surface. Small foot-ring. [EFSP-85-169) Mid second-century. No. 23 Cooking pot of soft, soapy Patch Grove ware. Grey grog-tempered paste and orange-brown surface. Four cordons on neck. This vessel contained the cremated bones. [EFSP-85-169] Probably a late first-century vessel. Feature 9 (Tank) (Fig. 7) No. 24 No. 25 No. 26 No. 27 No. 28 No. 29 Dish with plain angled rim of coarse, sandy ware. Grey-black paste and black surface. Burnished externally. [EFSP-85-172] Late second-/early third-century type. Jar with outcurved cavetto rim in coarse, sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. Burnished internally. [EFSP-85-172) Early third-century. Jar with thickened rim of sandy ware. Grey-buff paste and light grey surface. Cordon on shoulder with slashed decoration. [EFSP-85-172] Possibly Farnham Ware. Beaker with cornice rim of sandy ware. Grey paste and grey surface. [EFSP-85-172) Dish, straight-sided, with plain rim, of coarse, sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. [EFSP-85-172] Early third-century. Jar with rolled rim of fine sandy ware. Grey-black paste and black surface. [EFSP-85-172] 67 ' ,-. 't 􀀙 24 [ ··cy ✓- 􀀂gm?􀀃 25- / . 6 ' ' \ ....------., 2 . 211=1· __ 􀀔􀀕-:-;•,.._20 LI · :- - 􀀖.-::-.::z..􀀗􀀘-1 ·5¥=4t )'< -􀀂 .. -- •. ' p Fig. 7 Roman Pottery (¼ scale). A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD No. 30 Cooking pot with outcurved, thickened rim of soft, soapy Patch Grove ware. Grey-buff paste and buff-brown surface. Cordons below rim. [EFSP-85-172] First half of second century. No. 3 I Bowl with upright rim and horizontal external flange of sandy ware. Grey paste and black burnished surface. Curvilinear burnished decoration on exterior. [EFSP-85-172] Second half of third century. Feature I O (Pit) (Fig. 8) No. 32 Dish with upright thickened rim of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and dark grey surface with scored line below rim. [EFSP-85-162) Similar to No. 28. No. 33 Dish with upright rim of hard sandy ware. Black-brown paste and grey-black surface and slight traces of burnishing. [EFSP-85-162) Late second-century. No. 34 Small jar with outcurved rim of fine sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. Burnished on rim, shoulder and above base. [EFSP-85-162] Probably second century. No. 35 Dish with out-turned rim of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and brown surface. (EFSP-85-162] No. 36 Jar with outcurved rim of mottled grog-tempered ware. Grey-black paste and brown surface. [EFSP-85-162] No. 37 Shoulder of large storage jar of soft grog-tempered Patch Grove ware. Mottled grey-black paste and orange-brown surface. Bold stick stabbing decoration below rim. (EFSP-85- 163] Typically second-century. No. 38 Bowl with flanged rim of hard sandy ware. Black paste and black surface. Burnished on rim and externally, with burnished curvilinear pattern. [EFSP-85- I 63] Late third-century. No. 39 Large jar with thickened outcurved rim of fine sandy ware. Brown paste and grey surface. Two cordons on neck bordering a pattern of vertical lines. [EFSP-85-163] Probably early third-century. No. 40 Beaker with everted rim of fine sandy ware. Red paste and grey surface. [EFSP-85-163] No. 41 As No. 33. [EFSP-85-155] No. 42 Dish with thickened flange-like rim of coarse sandy ware. Buff fabric and buff-brown surface. [EFSP-85-155] No. 43 Bowl with upright rim and rounded flange of coarse sandy ware. Grey paste and grey surface. [EFSP-85-155] Probably Farnham Ware. No. 44 Probable platter with outcurved beaded rim of fine, soft ware. Black paste and buff surface. [EFSP-85-155] Resembles products of the second half of third century. No. 45 Jar with thickened outcurved rim of fine sandy ware. Grey-brown paste and grey surface. [EFSP-85-161] No. 46 Jar with outcurved rim of fine sandy ware. Red-brown paste and dark grey surface, slightly burnished. [EFSP-85-161] Probably early third-century. 69 \ \ I . -- .... - -_ . - -􀀐 l 33 .. / 34 '\__ r- 􀀂􀀃7 r􀀂 361 􀀒 _- -::z ·:. 351 .... , ./ ,,,,,,,,,,·,, ... ;, ,: 49.I 􀀛---_· d􀀅----􀀍·-.--􀀎.:,􀀏7-· 48 ,,,,,,t,,,,,11ntt ;;· ·. .- :;::t'l/:l1fttfll1l w... ·- --=:::::::::==􀀆::::J Pig. 8 Roman Pottery (¼ scale). A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD No. 47 Similar to No. 38. [EFSP-85-161] No. 48 Jar with everted rim of fine, soft ware. Black paste and grey-black surface. Decorated with rows of short incised lines. [EFSP-85-161] Probably second-century. No. 49 Similar to No. 41. [EFSP-85-161] Feature 15 (Pit) (Fig. 9) No. 50 Jar with outcurved rim of fine sandy ware. Grey paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-170] Probably second-century. No. 51 Bowl with rim missing, but bold flange. Orange paste and orange surface. [EFSP-85-170] Second half of third century. No. 52 Dish with flanged rim of coarse sandy ware. Grey paste and greybrown surface. [EFSP-85-170] Probably second half of third century. No. 53 Bowl with upright rim and curved flange of coarse sandy ware. Grey paste and orange-grey surface. [EFSP-85-170) Mid/late third-century. No. 54 Similar to Nos 33 and 41. [EFSP-85-173] No. 55 Possibly the same as No. 46. [EFSP-85-173] Feature 18 (Tank) (Fig. 9) No. 56 Small cooking-pot with beaded rim of coarse sandy ware. Grey paste and grey-brown surface. [EFSP-85-185 J Second-century. Feature 19 (Ditch) (Fig. 9) No. 57 Storage jar with outcurved rim of soft Patch Grove ware. Mottled grey-black paste and orange surface. Series of cordons below rim [EFSP-85-154] First half of second century. No. 58 Similar to No. 54. [EFSP-85-154) No. 59 Cooking pot with recessed out-turned rim of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-154) Second half of second century. No. 60 Similar to No. 9. [EFSP-85-154] No. 61 Small dish with beaded rim of hard sandy ware. Grey paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-154] Similar to No. 60. No. 62 Dish with beaded rim of fine, soft ware. Grey paste and black burnished surface. [EFSP-85-154] Late second-century. Feature 21 (Waterpipe) (Fig. 9) No. 63 Storage jar with rim missing, of soft Patch Grove ware. Mottled 71 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY )- so\-􀀅 -i- -sJ -_}; '\ 52F: - y 􀀇 531 . r \ 541 7 / 􀀔- ssF"" <' JJ· s61-- 􀀕 · .··\ \ ssl 1 .. 57 r J ool / ,"-. _61 LI -􀀊1 ) .􀀇t" . - -· , i,,,,"'00{(:· 􀀂a ·, 1<1.-w -· - 􀀂 63 - ·- ..... :· ·:_ '(. 641--1 ---r-/􀀖 rsr.· -·•--Y Fig. 9 Roman Pottery(¼ scale). 72 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD grey-black paste and orange-brown surface. Deep, irregular thumbnail impressions in single line below neck. [EFSP-85-187) Secondcentury. No. 64 Dish with upright flanged rim, of fine, soft ware. Buff paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-187) Second half of third century. No. 65 Spouted mortarium with thickened rim, of fine sandy ware; occasional grit inclusions. Grey paste and orange brown surface (fire damaged). [EFSP-85-187) No. 66 (Fig. 10) Bowl with upright flanged rim, of fine sandy ware. Buff paste and grey surface. [EFSP-85-187] Mid third-century. No. 67 Dollium with massive squared rim of coarse sandy Farnham Ware. Grey paste and grey surface. [EFSP-85-1871 Probably fourthcentury. No. 68 Large cooking pot with outcurved rim of Patch Grove ware. Mottled grey-black paste and pale orange-brown surface. (EFSP-85-187] Second-century. General Deposits (Fig. 10) No. 69 Cooking pot with flanged rim of shell-loaded ware. Black paste and grey-black surface. Vertical strap decoration on exterior. Similar to No. I. [EFSP-85-160) Thirteenth-century. No. 70 Jug with rim missing of fine sandy ware. Grey paste and pink-grey surface. Mottled green and brown slip on external surface and two rows of small applied studs on neck. [EFSP-85-160] Probably thirteenth-century. No. 71 Cooking pot with flanged rim of shell-loaded ware. Dark grey paste and brown surface. [EFSP-85-160] Twelfth/thirteenth centuries. No. 72 Cooking pot with out-turned rim of shell-loaded ware. Black paste and orange surface. [EFSP-85-160) Twelfth/thirteenth centuries. No. 73 Jar with outcurved recessed rim of soft Patch Grove ware. Mottled with grey-black paste and brown surface. [EFSP-85-165] First half of second century. No. 74 Dish with upright, plain rim of coarse, sandy ware. Grey paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-165) Second half of third century. No. 75 Jar with cornice rim of fine sandy ware. Red paste and blue-green slipware surface. [EFSP-85-165] Late third-century. No. 76 Jar with outcurved rim of coarse sandy ware. Grey paste and dark grey surface. [EFSP-85-165) No. 77 Same as No. 59. [EFSP-85-165) CATALOGUE OF QUERN STONES AND MILLSTONES Fragments of six stones were recovered and these seem to represent three quernstones and three millstones (Fig. 11). These came from features dated 73 \ 66F- f' l . ' . . . . . : · .. ' ,. ,. 68 􀀃--.==I ==-. .1 67 .· . . . .( o;- - --- - . . . 􀀄 70 . · · : · .. 􀀏-􀀐 r,· --- . .. f' ' . . . . . . . . . . ' . > 2 . - 􀀑 \. 􀀒 .. 􀀓 '􀀔· : . 􀀕 ,· .. 􀀖 : 􀀗 . 7 . ' . . . . . '. Fig. 10 Roman and Medieval Pottery(¼ scale). A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM. EYNSFORD I I I I I 79 1 9111 "' /• 0 "!' (D ... ,0 • 45, Fig. 11 Quernstone, Millstones and Bronze Sheet(¼ scale). to the second and third centuries AD. Two of the quernstones are of distinctive German Lavastone as commonly found on Roman and medieval sites. The other seems to be of Millstone Grit, being crystalline and grey in colour. The three millstones are all of Millstone Grit, two being rather finer grained and pink in colour, whilst the third is coarser and more grey in colour (two fragments). QI. Fragment of quernstone of grey-green German Lavastone. Tooled on one side only. 10 x 7cm and 2-3.Scm in thickness. [EFSP- 85-16 I] Feature I O (Pit). No. 78 Q2. Segment of wedge-shaped quernstone of grey-green German Lavastone. Tooled on all surfaces, 14 x 9cm and 2-4.Scm in thickness. Estimated diameter, 32cm. [EFSP-85-163] Feature I O (Pit). No. 79 Q3. Segment of millstone of pink-grey Millstone Grit. Worn upper surface, with traces of tooling on rim. l 2 x I 6cm and 3-4.Scm in thickness. Estimated diameter, 60-70cm. [EFSP-85-173] Feature 15 (Pit). 75 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY No. 80 Q4. Segment of large millstone of pink-grey, finer grained Mi II stone Grit. No trace of tooling; upper and lower surfaces worn by use. I 8 x 12cm and 5-7cm in thickness. Estimated diameter, 60-80cm. [EFSP-85-173 J Feature 15 (Pit). QS. Fragment of quernstone of grey Millstone Grit with horizontal tooling on lower side and pecking on upper. 9 x 9cm and 3cm thick. [EFSP-85-172] Feature 9 (Tank). Q6. Segment of millstone of grey-pink Millstone Grit with diagonal tooling on one surface only. 12 x IOcm and 6cm thick. Estimated diameter, 60-80cm. [EFSP-85-172] Feature 9 (Tank). OTHER FINDS No. 81 Rectangular piece of sheet bronze, cut to shape, about 83 x 59mm; and about 7mm thick (Fig. 11 ). Left side has two lines of small rivets, or rivet-holes ( 11 in all) for fixing to a back-plate or material. Large bronze patch, about 57 x 46mm, covers a ragged hole (only visible at back) punched through original plate. Patch held by eight large bronze rivets (one missing). [EFSP-85-172] Feature 9 (Tank). DISCUSSION The discovery of a previously unknown Roman site near the centre of Eynsford is an important advance in knowledge of the history of the village. The twenty-seven features located appeared to occupy a compact area about 30 x 15m in extent. It seems likely that the features would extend on the north side, but only the linear ditches on the other three sides. The principal feature seems to be the north-west corner of a substantial sub-rectangular ditched enclosure [F2A and F2C}, with a north entrance 1.75m wide. This probably dates from the mid second century AD and it seems to have silted and been used for domestic rubbish until c. 250. It had an angular corner and enclosed an area greater than 24 x 1 2m. It seems likely that it would have been substantially greater and could have contained a domestic building. Its north ditch [F2b) appears to have been re-cut and this, too, contained pottery dating to the mid third century. The largely silted enclosure ditches were cut into by two large pits [Fl 5 and F25}, the former containing pottery, mainly of third-century date. One pit [FI 5] was itself cut by a drain [F 17] which appears to have Jed into a rectangular tank [F9]. The tank itself contained third-century pottery and a coin of Claudius II (AD 268-70) and had a thick clay lining. 76 A ROMAN SITE AT HOME FARM, EYNSFORD The original enclosure appears to have been extended westwards by the addition of another ditch [F 19] which was traced for 16m. The pottery from this ditch was mostly of second-century date. The new ditch [F l 9] had silted and was later cut through by a large waterpipe [F2 l], which contained pottery of the second half of the third century. The waterpipe led directly to a large rectangular tank [FI 8] which had a thick clay lining. The pottery from both the clay lining and the fill of the tank was of second- and third-century date. A large oval pit [F l 0] was later dug through the fill of the tank [Fl 8] and contained eight large pieces of wood which had been thrown in at random. A large collection of pottery in it dates from the second and third centuries AD. Two cremation burials [F3 and F4) were only l m apart and date from the middle of the second century. Their position outside the enclosure, and only 5m from its entrance, is probably significant and suggests a degree of planning. Nearby, eight post-holes were found, only four [FI 1-14] of which could possibly belong to a posted structure. The other four [F5-8] appear random. Two more ditches [FI and FI 6] were found crossing part of the site and these produced medieval pottery of thirteenth/fourteenth-century date. Apart from a small amount of late first-century date, the bulk of the pottery seems to date from about AD 150-300. One or two forms could be of early fourth-century date. If fully representative, this suggests the daterange of the Roman settlement here, but it seems highly likely that a greater area was occupied. The enclosure, in particular, could have been very much larger. Of special interest was the accidental discovery in 1971 of a Roman building under the Working Men's Club, about 130m east of the present site. No dating evidence was obtained from it, which seems to have had a N-S axis and the precise function of which is not determined. It is likely that the Roman building and the Roman features found in 1985 all relate to a single large complex though perhaps with a shifting focus. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Unit wishes to thank Thames Water for its co-operation on site at all times and for helping finance the excavation. Special thanks are due to Derek Garrod for supervising much of the excavation and also to Keith May, the resident archaeologist. Also, thanks are due to members of the team, namely the late Miss Audrey Button, Messrs William Foot, Gerry Geradine, Maurice Godfrey, the late Peter Grant, 77 BRIAN PHILP AND MAURICE CHENERY Len Johnson, Jan Mondrezevski, Alan Morley, Martin Quinnell and John Shepherd. The overall project was managed by Brian Philp, who also undertook the site photography. Of specialist help, the reports of Joanna Bird on the samian pottery and Brenda Dickinson on the samian stamp are gratefully acknowledged. The plans have been produced by Maurice Chenery, the pottery drawings by John Willson and the text has been typed by Pam Barrett. The final preparation of the illustrations was done by Sarah Hathaway. NOTES 1 Archaeologia Canriana, LXXXVl (1971), 241-2. 2 Archaeologia Cantiana, LXXII (1958), lxii; Kent Archaeological Review, 144 (2001 ). 72-5. 3 Kent Archaeological Review, 84 (I 986), 79. 78