KAS Newsletter, Issue 21, Spring 1992
The Role of the Amateur in Archaeology
In the beginning, there were no professionals!
All modern developments in archaeology are based on the dedicated application of intelligence and considerable physical energy, towards the solution of questions posed by observant and analytical amateur antiquaries in the past.
Without these foundation activities, the studies of geologists and historians would not have been interpreted to create the current body of knowledge of our human past.
Now that there are well-established courses and studies in universities for maintaining a flow of qualified archaeologists and a grudging commercial recognition that their work should be funded, a 'profession' has been created which, in the way of all professions, seeks to restrict activities in archaeology to those same professionals and deny a valid role to the amateur.
One professional view is that the amateur is ill-equipped by training and facilities to properly conduct a dig, and that sites not presently 'at risk' should remain undisturbed for the attention of future professional archaeologists. Also, that present (professional) knowledge would not be expanded by amateur digs.
This is a shortsighted view, no doubt conditioned by the present shortage of funded work for the professionals, but one which could inhibit the future work of these same professionals. There are many eminently qualified amateurs who are only able to devote a limited time to archaeology because of other commitments and who do not need commercial sponsorship for their digs, and who may bring length of experience and specific skills to their archaeology. It is possible to name individuals who, despite their amateur status, are experts in specific fields of archaeology. Should these amateurs be denied the opportunity to expand their own and public knowledge?
If there are no amateur digs, there will be fewer people 'actively' involved in local archaeology groups and, as some members of these groups undertake professional training after their initial amateur experiences, the ranks of the professionals will be lessened in the future - and reduced by the loss of experts who have learned their skills the 'hard way', bringing necessary maturity to enhance the graduate body.
The local groups are repositories of knowledge about a specific area and may be called upon to provide information and commentary by many individuals and bodies. They need to be able to satisfy the various interests of their members. Some will be content simply to enjoy visits, lectures, and demonstrations, but others have the desire to learn about the local past through 'hands-on' experience which can only be obtained through participation in a dig. Of course, such experience can be obtained as a 'volunteer' on a professional dig, where the exploitation of amateurs has been welcomed and valued as relief for the professionals and of economic importance when sites have a limited working time. But attendance at such sites may be well away from the local group area and may not add specific knowledge to enhance the local pool.
It should be feasible for local groups to undertake substantial digs on secure sites, subject to supervision by trained archaeologists - who may be amateur members of the group - and under the general oversight of the County Archaeologist. Such digs will provide an opportunity to advance local knowledge, which should improve public attitudes towards conservation and archaeology in general. The work might possibly discover unique information that would establish a better understanding of the occupation of the area. It would certainly improve the practical skills and knowledge of those taking part, which will encourage others' interest, e.g. local schools and historical and other societies, and in general would be a 'good thing' for archaeology.
The amateur should be positively encouraged by the professional, if only because there are more amateurs than professionals and their democratic strength can provide effective support for the professionals when public and commercial bodies have to be canvassed. The amateur provides many a student for further education courses tutored by the professionals, so the individual professional benefits by encouraging the amateur. More importantly, the amateur provides a collective pool of experience and knowledge - sometimes expertise - which it would be stupid to ignore, and of course also provides a labor force that can be drawn upon in emergencies at minimal cost. We need each other for the benefit of archaeology.
Peter Dawson,
Lower Medway Arch. Research Group.
Abbey Church and Gatehouse Museum, Sheppey
Situated on the highest point of Minster Hill on Sheppey are the Abbey Church and the Gatehouse. These remain from Queen Sexburga's nunnery. The Gatehouse is now a local history museum.
Sadly, archaeological excavation in the area has not shown much. It would have been interesting to know the extent of the nunnery when it was dissolved in 1536. The earliest buildings succumbed to the Danes. Remains of the second phase are to be found in one corner of the church which, like the Gatehouse, is post-conquest.
The Gatehouse was built in about 1130 but the foundation of the Benedictine Convent was in 674. The widowed Queen chose royal land on the Island for its seclusion. No doubt the feeling of closeness to the wide Sheppey skies seemed appropriate. Once the nuns had left the Gatehouse was privately inhabited, being altered and extended at intervals. Even the great arch was filled in. By 1934 it served as a church hall. During the Second World War, it was used as a lookout. Today's visitors enjoy the views from the roof; picking out the wreck of the Riclinrd Montgomery in the Estuary, landmarks on the Essex shore and the great view up the Medway and as far as the North Downs.
Just before the War, a proposal was made for it to be turned into a museum. This remained the dream of Sheppey Local History Society's Secretary (now President) Mrs Lisa Tyler, who eventually persuaded the Swale Borough Council to lease the building to the Society as a museum. Hard labor, largely from the Society's members and friends, has produced the varied display. The Council helps by maintaining the fabric of the building and with small financial support. It is through the small entry fee that the museum remains open.
The display varies from time to time but most items have a strong connection with Sheppey, having been used or found there, or are to do with Sheppey people. Few are of great value but they are of interest because of their local connection. The oldest objects are fossil fish from the nearby London Clay cliffs. A selection of small fossils commonly found on the beach is usually displayed to enable visitors to identify their own finds. The ground floor has one of the three late medieval fireplaces. The visitor will see the first of a series of oil paintings by local artist Harold Batzer, based on 18th and early 19th-century local views.
Mounting by the original spiral stairs or by modern oak staircase the visitor will find two floors crammed with Sheppey-related items. The middle floor has coins found on Sheppey. Some are Roman, found in Minster gardens. This floor also displays the official Queenborough weights and measures and models and items related to Queenborough Castle, demolished in 1650. The great chest of the castle is on the upper floor. The sharp-eyed visitor will see several pilgrim crosses in mounting to the main floor whose cases hold displays of the Island in war, educational items, costumes, early telephones, and radios. Many small items can be handled and used by younger visitors.
Hopefully, these notes will attract K.A.S. members to cross the Swale and discover the Island. The gatehouse is open at Bank Holiday weekends; Saturdays and Sundays in June - and daily (except Thursdays) in the Summer holiday period until mid-September from 2 pm to 5 pm. There is a small charge for entry. Groups large and small can be admitted at most times by arrangement with the Society's Secretary (Mrs Wood, Minster 873720). For a pleasant afternoon combine your visit with one to the neighboring church and a walk along the nearby cliffs. Being near the center of the village the Gatehouse is easily accessible, with a regular daily bus service from Sheerness station.
Jonathan Fryer,
Sheppey Local History Society.
Parish Pumps in Kent - Part II
Members will be sad to learn that Mr. Hart died in August 1991 and so did not live to see his widely researched article on Parish Pumps published in the K.A.S. Newsletter. Before his retirement to Battle, Sussex, he was a well-known archaeologist and historian in the Orpington area. Many of his drawings have appeared in Arch. Cant. in the past as illustrations to other members' articles.
BROMLEY. (Recorded 6.3.71). This pump once stood in the market square but was removed on development of the square and now stands in the public gardens southwest of the Parish Church. See Brasted for description.
BROMLEY COLLEGE. (Recorded 1971). Standing in the quadrangle, a late 19th-century tubular cast-iron type. Above the spout is a panel with the maker's name S. OWENS & Co/ ENGINEERS/ LONDON.
COBHAM. (Recorded 8.3.69). Situated at the west end of the village. The body is cast-iron, octagonal and panelled in two sections, the upper part being slightly tapered. It has two spouts, one quite high up. The lower one is a later addition or replacement. Set in the wall behind the pump is a stone with the inscription - THIS RESERVOIR / WAS ENLARGED AND REBUILT / WITH THE WATERWORKS THERETO BELONGING / AT THE SOLE EXPENSE OF THE / RIGHT HONOURABLE JOHN STUART / EARL OF DARNLEY I AND GIVEN TO THE PARISHIONERS/ TO COMMEMORATE / HIS COMING OF AGE / APRIL THE 16TH 1848.
COBHAM COLLEGE. (Recorded 19.4.69). Against the south wall of the courtyard, a pump with a lead spout, the mechanism being enclosed in a wood casing with a hinged door for access. In front, a stone trough. Set in the wall above is a stone, inscribed - THIS PUMP AND TANK WHICH SUPPLIES IT / WERE CONSTRUCTED AT THE / SOLE EXPENSE OF THE / RIGHT HONOURABLE ELIZABETH / COUNTESS OF DARNLEY / FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE / COLLEGE / A.D. 1821.
FARNBOROUGH. (Recorded 4.1.70). Situated on a small triangular green by the main Bromley to Sevenoaks road north of the village. A simple handle and rod mechanism entirely exposed and supported together with two spout outlets, on a baulk of timber. This is held upright on an iron platform by two curved metal straps. The handle mechanism is old, the pipes are more recent, (1940s?). No date or inscription.
FAVERSHAM. (Recorded 19.1.71). Standing by the Guildhall in the market place, a late nineteenth
pump Domed whole in castvery cap A.... much ornamented in pseudo-gothic style and in recent years painted red white and black. No date or inscription.GOATHURST COMMON. (Recorded 21.5.88). By the main street is a crank-shaft type pump, the crank-shaft supportea on open work side pieces. The shait is operated by a wheel about 3ft. in diameter. Cast on the side pieces is the name of the maker, W. S. FREEMAN, ENGINEER, OTFORD. (Entry in Kelly's Directory for Kent 1891 under Otford - 'Commercial Resident. Freeman, William Spiers, engineer, contractor, and sawmills.' Also in Kelly's 1911 but not for 1878.) The whole stands on a paving slab base under a shingled roof supported by crossed timber side supports arnd now enclosed by a six foot high iron railing. Under the roof is the notice, GOATHURST COMMON/ BUILT 1901. DEPTH 190 feet.
HEADCORN. (Recorded 13.6.69). O,n the south side of the village green opposite the 'White Horse'. The pump is castiron in the form of a fluted column with stiff leaf foliage decoration just below the join and spout. Nice ribbed cap and balaster base. Headcorn Local History Society reported (1968) 'the old parish pump has been erected on Dag's Green'. Meaning, moved there in 1968. No date or inscription.
IDEN GREEN. (Recorded 10.8.87;/ At the village crossroads . under an open sided shelter with pyramid tiled roof; the pump is enclosed in an octago1nal wood casing reinforc with iron straps and an iron escutcheon round the spout. The top is surmounted by a ball knob. In front is a stone bucket rest, added later, with the inscrip1don, 1837 / VICTORIA / 1897, and inside the shelter a notice - THIS WELL / is for Domestic Supply ONLY I Is not to be use d for / ENGINES or TEAMS.
IDE HILL. (Recorded 10.5.69). On the village green a crankshaft type pump by W. S. Free man of Otford (as at Goathurst Common), but the wheel is missing. It stands under an open sided shelter, the tiled roof on ten timber supports.
KNOCKHOLT. (Recorded 31. 5.69). Southwest of the churchyard is a brick pumphouse let into an earlier flint wall. Inside a late tubular type cast-iron pump. The handle is missing. No date or inscription.
KNOCKHOLT POUND. (F:ecorded 10.5.69). Set in the green in front of 'The Three Horse Shoes' a structure of sheet iron riveted to a frame with a rounded top; bosses protruding for and aft for the handle or wheel (missing). On the front a long iron spout and an oval recess which may have contained the maker's name plate. The whole is set on a sheet of iron riveted to a concrete bas£:. No date or inscription. From 'The Kentish Times', September 1972'. Knockholt's village pump which stood for many years on the Pound is badly rusted at the base. Councillor Rob illiard said it would be a shame to lose it after it was found in a Bromley Council depot where it had been lost for years.
LEIGH. (Recorded 26.7.73). On the main street a square shelter, the tiled roof with four dormer openings, is supported on four timber pillars placed centrally on each side with cross struts to the corners. This must have been a shelter over the village pump as it stands next to 'Pump Cottage'. The pump is missing!
LEYBOURNE. (Recorded January 1970). Standing by the approach to the village from the Maidstone road, a pump bemg an octagonal stone pillar with nicely moulded cap and base. The spout is low down in cast iron. The handle is joined to the working lever by a connecting rod with a three hole adjustment. An inscription on the front of the pillar reads - DRINK WEARY PILGRIM/ DRINK AND PRAY/ FOR LIVING WATERS/ THEY ONLY THEY/ CAN SATISFY EARTHS / SONS AND DAUGHTERS / - 1859.
LYMINGE. (Recorded 27.10.73). Near the church a pump in a timber framed open sided shelter on a brick support arched at the bottom over a well and spring which is about 15 feet below road and pump level. The pump is a late tubular castiron type; handle broken. On top is cast- PATENTED/ 1877. A plate on the shelter reads - QUEEN ETHELBERGA'S WELL./ THIS WAS SUNK IN THE 7th CENTURY A.O. / BY ST. ETHELBURGA DAUGHTER OF ETHELBERT / OF KENT AND WIFE OF KING EDWIN OF NORTHUMBRIA. / SHE r FOUNDED THE ABBEY OF LYMINGE AFTER/ HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN KILLED AT THE BATTLE / OF HEATHFIELD IN 633 A.D. SHE WAS ABBESS / UNTIL HER DEATH.
MARDEN. (Recorded 25.8.77). In the centre of a square of modern houses is a tall iron pump, panelled on four sides and topped with a four sided scroll decoration on a large moulded cap. The spout is missing. On the front is a shield with the inscription - ERECTED BY I THE I PARISH COUNCIL/ 1899. It is probably not in its original position.
ST. MICHAEL'S TENTERDEN. (Recorded 18.10.75). Approaching Tenterden from the north about 1½ miles from the town, is St. Michael's. The pump stands at a minor road junction. It is cast-iron, octagonal, and has slight gothic decoration. Above is a sharply pointed cap and centrally a nicely shaped spout. Handle missing. No inscription or date.
SANDWICH. (Recorded 14.8.74). Clamped to a wall in Del£ Street near the town square is a cast-iron pump of the cylindrical type. The handle mechanism is unusual. The large S shaped curved handle operates on a pivot raised up about 24" higher than normal operating a long rod entering through rthe cap. An oval plate on the front with the date 1859. Other wording is unreadable owing to corrosion.
SEVENOAKS. (Recorded 25.11.72). Just off Six Bells Lane near the church in a small square, is a pump of the late tubular AJJ_e. No date or inscription. Mentioned in 'The pleasant town r ; Sevenoaks' by Sir John Dunlop.
SHADOXHURST. (Photographed by the late Bert Gipson cl 970). Standing in the road near the old school and church. The pump is slightly tapering, four sided, with shallow panels and leaf type decorative motifs. Curved handle with large knob with the number 40 on it. Spout very low down. Mr. Gipson reported that it had been demolished by a lorry since his photograph was taken. Later - it has been re-erected by the side of the road. Cast on the front - S. U. BUGLER / ASHFORD I 1887.
ROLVENDEN. (Recorded 19.7.72). Pump at the roadside in the High St. near Pump House. Wooden boarded casing and a long lead spout (about 2ft 6in) supported by a triple iron bracket. Long curved iron handle. Inscribed plate on the case reads THE VILLAGE PUMP ONE TIME THE ONLY SOURCE OF WATER FOR THE STREET, AND NOW PART OF ITS HERITAGE RESTORED 1965 BY WING COMMANDER A. H. BUTTON WHOSE PARENTS LIVED IN THE PUMP HOUSE. Another pump by the butcher's shop with a new wooden casing. A lead spout and iron handle with 40 cast on the knob.
SMARDEN. (Recorded 22.10.73). The pump is in the main street next to Dragon House. It is under a pyramid type roof forming an open sided shelter. It has a lead cistern front and spout encased in wood and an iron handle. On the cistern front is cast the date 1897.
TEMPLE EWELL. (Recorded 15.7.76). Pump on the comer of Mill St. and High St. A simple tubular cast-iron fluted column with spout and handle. Cap missing. No inscription.
TENTERDEN. (Recorded 19.10.72). Situated by the green at the northern end of the town, this pump is from the same cast-iron mould as at Brasted, Bromley and Esher in Surrey. The only difference is that the cap lacks the castellation decoration. The handle is missing. A 'Tenterden Guide' states - 'the Parish Pump, or more correctly East Cross pump erected in 1864 to provide this end of the town with a public water supply'.
TEYNHAM. (Recorded 12.4.77). Erected to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee in 1897, this is more than a pump but a memorial - and designed by a committee! A solid square base with an octagonal upper stage surmounted by a pagoda style roof. This in tum is surmounted by a weather vane. The pump spout and handle are inconspicuous, being very low down. Maybe the pavement has been raised more than once since 1897. In the centre of the upper stage is a delicately designed iron bracket (for what purpose), and under the spout a large stone water trough. Above the spout a recessed panel reads - A.O. 1897 TO THE WORSHIP OF GOD & IN LOYALTY TO THE THRONE THIS MEMORIAL WAS SET UP WITH OFFERINGS FROM THE PARISHES OF TEYNHAM & L YNSTED IN THE YEAR OF THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE. For further interesting details see 'Kent Heritage Bulletin', spring 1977.
WEST MALLING. (Recorded 1.11.69). The pump stands in a small square in front of a Georgian cottage in Police Station Road. Cylindrical cast-iron with a fluted cap and knob. The lower part is covered by a six sided wooden base. No date or inscription. From 'Kelly's Directory of Kent 1891' under West Malling (page 438) - 'The Mid Kent Water Company have now (1890) laid their pipes throughout the town and will shortly be prepared to supply the inhabitants with water; but at present water is obtained only from pumps.
WOODCHURCH. (Recorded 24.7.76). A square pillar style pump in cast-iron. The body has panels with folia border decoration. The cap and base with curved mouldings. A fluted spout and, just above, the date 1878 cast with the panel.
The above listing does not pretend to be complete. Many villages have not been visited and towns not explored, so that reports of further pump examples in Kent would be welcomed; either a brief note of location or a description on the lines of the above notes, plus if possible a photograph.
A. C. HART
K.A.S. Fieldwork Course
Some thirty members enjoyed a fieldwork course at Stowting on 12th October 1991; the course was chaired by Dr. John Williams, County Archaeologist. A range of exhibits from Palaeolithic times to the Medieval period were available for members to handle. In the afternoon Mr. Jim Bradshaw guided members around the earthworks of the Stowting area.
K.A.S. Conference at Canterbury
The K.A.S. Fieldwork Committee organised an extremely interesting conference on Kent before the Romans on 26th October 1991 at Canterbury.
The conference was very well attended. Members heard talks on the Bronze and Iron Ages and were able to examine Iron Age pottery from the Highstead Excavations.
Council for British Archaeology, South East
About sixty people attended the Inaugural General Meeting of CBA South East at Tonbridge on 2nd November 1991.
Election of Officers and Committee took place with Mr. Jeremy Hodgkinson in the Chair. The Constitution was formally adopted and CBA South East declared official. Professor Barry Cunliffe gave an interesting talk on Perspectives on the Archaeology of the South East 1944-1991.
Letters
I read with interest Mr. Ward's comments on 'Archaeologists' Health and Safety' in the autumn newsletter. I feel it is important to point out that Mr. Ward's comments are his own personal views, and do not represent those of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
All of our excavations are governed by the guidelines detailed in 'Health and Safety in Field Archaeology', published by the Standing Conference of Unit Managers. As Mr. Ward rightly points out, responsibility must ultimately lie with the common sense of everyone involved, but whether we be at the Trust full-time archaeologists, volunteers or visitors, it is of paramount importance in all our work. Peter R. Clark, BA, MIFA, FSA(Scot) Assistant Director. Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
I am researching the Penfold Family, who lived at Loose Court, Loose, Nr. Maidstone, during the first half of the 1800's, and also the Old Kenlish Bank of Maidstone, whose directors were Edward Penfold, Senior, his son William Penfold, and John Margesson. The Penford, Springett, Penfold Bank failed in March 1816 but very little seems to be known about it. I would be grateful if any readers who have information about the Penfold, Springett, or Margesson families could contact me.
I read with great interest the Parish Pumps article in Newsletter No. 20, as the drawing of the Brasted pump is clearly identical to photographs of the Herne Bay pump from 1853 to May 2nd 1887, which appears in the Minutes of the Herne Bay Improvement Commissioners. The water cart to be examined and the propriety of having the pump made public during the improvements parade seems to be the part: 'The grass pump to be removed and the propriety of having a public pump considered.' It stood in Herne Bay on the sea front. It seems the pump was removed to mark the Queen's Jubilee in 1887 as no later photographs show it. Harold Gough, Hon. Curator, Herne Bay Historical Records Society.
Books
Mr Michael Leach has two volumes of Arch. Cant. for disposal. Vol. XLII and index Vol. XC. These are free for the cost of the postage only.
Mrs. L. Hart wishes to dispose of a number of archaeological magazines. Runs of 'London Archaeologist' and 'Current Archaeology' etc. No charge but would have to be collected.
LEIGH IN KENT 1550 - 1900 By Lawrence Biddle. (K.A.S. Member). 175 pages including references, list of sources and index. 9 plates (7 in colour), 12 maps and black and white illustrations. Bound in cloth with coloured dust jacket. This edition will be limited to 600 copies. Price £15 plus £3 postage and packing. May be obtained from L. A. Biddle. Cheques made payable to L. A. Biddle.
EAST WICKHAM and WELLING by Peter Tester, a new edition published by Bexley Libraries and Museums. May be obtained from Bexley Local Studies Centre. Price £1.50 plus 60p postage and packing. Cheques made payable. Allow 28 days for delivery. Bexley Local Studies has a large number of books, leaflets, maps and postcards for sale. For a complete list please write to the above address or telephone.
KENT AND EAST SUSSEX UNDERGROUND By members of the Kent Underground Research Group (a Subject Branch of the K.A.S.) 128 pages. Price £5.95 plus 60p. post and packing. This book has proved to be very popular with K.A.S. members and the general public but copies may still be obtained from Meresborough Books, 17 Station Road, Rainham, Kent.
THE ROMAN VILLA SITE AT KESTON, KENT. (Excavations 1968-1978) by B. Philp, K. Parfitt, J. Willson, M. Dutto and W. Williams. This first report on Keston represents eleven years of rescue excavation in Lower Warbank Field. Contains numerous plans and sections, photographs and specialist reports on many of the finds from the site. Published by the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. 313 pages. Price £16 plus P. and P. £2.50. Cheques made payable to K.A.R.U. Further enquiries to CIB Headquarters Dover Castle, Dover, Kent.
Appeals for Help
Following Bryan Cousins' promotion to the position of Hon. Treasurer, we would like a volunteer to look after the issue of tickets to the Society's lectures and events. If anyone is interested, they may care to telephone me. Kenneth Gravett.
PRESS & PUBLICITY OFFICER needed. Is there a K.A.S. member willing and able to undertake the task of publicising the K.A.S, its activities and publications, etc. by informing press - local and national if necessary, and local radio stations of forthcoming events, outings and social occasions and reporting on those activities which have already taken place? If interested, please contact Hon. Gen. Secretary, Mr. A. Harrison for further information.
PUBLICITY & MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE wishes to know if anyone videoed the Cooling Castle Garden party.
For Sale
Members are reminded that they can obtain K.A.S. 'To . 'f'III' bags', Tea cloths, Ties, (navy blue, green or grey), from Mrs Saynor. Bags £6, Tea cloths £3, Ties £3.50. (please state colour requrred). Price included P&P. Also available from Mrs. Saynor or from Mr D. Coast.
Subscriptions for 1992
THESE ARE NOW DUE. please use the enclosed form.Fieldwork Grants
Are you planning an excavation or fieldwork within the K.A.S. county individual to of assist Kent members. with during work 1993? carried Grants out by are Affiliated available Societies from the or A,_,,, Applications on appropriate form (obtainable from the Hon. General Secretary, Mr. A. C. Harrison.The Hon. Editor welcomes all letters, articles and communications and would particularly like to receive more from members and others, especially requests for research information, helpful finds, and books can and assist related readers topics. in Illustrations, identifying if relevant objects , are , understanding points and following arguments. The Editor, wishes to draw the readers' attention to the fact that neither the their opinions Council signed which of the articles. K.A.S., contributors Each nor author the may is Editor alone express is in responsible answerable the course for for the the of Material contents to Hon. for and the Editor, next substance Nesta Newsletter of Caiger.
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