Centuriation? on the Hoo Peninsula
Introduction
In Archaeologia Cantiana Volume Lxv ( 1952) Michael Nightingale wrote an article entitled, A Roman Land Settlement near Rochester (p. 150-159). His article describes and discusses the possibility that part of the road and field system to the north of Rochester, on the Hoo peninsula, is divided up into a Roman period ce11turinl grid based upon the nc/11s. I am the first to admit that 1 have never taken much notice of the article for land division, of any period, is not something that interests me as an individual. However, in 1996 local Medway archaeologists and historians approached the present writer with an article about work undertaken on the Isle of Wight by Mr. C. T. Witherby. ln this article he mentions the work of Michael Nightingale and I was asked to comment on the 1952 article in an attempt to help Mr. Witherby. For far too long I ignored this request for the simple reason I knew that the comments I could make, would entail considerable work. In October 1998 the f"'-urator of the Guildhall Museum, Rochester (Michael 1v1oad) also approached the present writer with a similar request, this time on behalf of the Mayor of Cesena, Italy. The authorities of Cesena are undertaking a worthwhile European wide study on Roman centuriation of agricultural land. For someone who is mathematically disadvantaged the amount of mental pain suffered whilst undertaking this work has, at times, bordered on the unbearable. I assure readers this article was more painful for me to write than for you to read.
Centuriation
Roman centuriation or the regular grid like laying out of fields, of which superb examples exist in Italy, is based upon a series of large rectangles, those at Cesena measuring 707 by 710 metres and at Hoo a square of 710 metres was suggested (Nightingale 1952, p.151). The term centuria refers to one of these squares which can be divided into 100 (hence centuriation) units or heredia. Each of these smaller units can be divided into two iujera, which correspond to the amount of land a team of oxen could work in a day. The i11gen1111 measure 2 by 1 nc/11s, and the sides of an nctus measure 120 Roman feet or 35.48m. (one Roman foot = 11.6496 English inches or 29.57cm).
Some of the roads, tracks and field boundaries on the Hoo peninsula seem to correspond to an nch1s or a multiple thereof. On page 156 of his article Nightingale states that many of the fields in this area seem to be based upon a length of 5 nctus rather than an English furlong. This may well be so, but it is very noticeable that the aspect of English measurements is not dwelt upon and that multiples or divisions of furlongs are ignored. Michael Nightingale's article is a superb example of deductive interpretation but, the failure to compare and contrast with alternative types of land measurements weakens his case considerably. One of these measurements, which historians and archaeologists ignore at their peril, is the English rod, pole or perch. When I first came into archaeology if anyone had told me that one day I would write about the rod, pole or perch I would have regarded them as a 'nutter'.
A refresher course on imperial measures
1 mile = 1760 yards= 8 furlongs = 5280 ft. (English).
1 furlong = 10 chains = 220 yards and also 40 poles.
1 chain = 22 yards = 4 poles.
1 pole = 5.5 yards or 16.5 feet.
The term rod, pole and perch are all the same measurement. The word pole is used throughout this text and was used as a measure of land certainly in the postmedieval period and presumably at an earlier date. The pole is apparently of great antiquity, being equated to Sumerian cubits (Everyman's Encyclopedia).
The supposed centuriation on the Hoo peninsula
The reader is referred to Michael Nightingale's article for a detailed description and discussion of the possible ce11t11rinl land division to the north of Rochester. It is obvious to all who study an Ordnance Survey map (the 1:25000 or larger scale are the best to use) that some of the roads and consequently the fields in the area to the south of Cliffe and Cooling run (more or less) parallel to one another. The north to south parallel axis of the roads is more noticeable than any parallel east-west axis.
There are six main north to south aligned roads or tracks, starting on the west side of the map (Fig.I):
a. West Street
b. Station Road.
c. Well Penn Road and its northern extension Thatcher's Lane.
d. Rye Street/ Cooling Street.
e. A road extending (south to north) from Spendiff Farm to Alma House.
f. A road extending (north to south) from Cooling Castle to Cooling Court and New Farm.
In his work Nightingale regards road 'd' as the principal axis or Cardo Maximus. West Street (road 'a') is a further cardo and road 'c' is at a distance of 10 actus west from the Cardo Maximus and 'b' 30 actus to the west. He makes no mention of road 'e' or 'f'. After a considerable swing to the west the northern part of Thatcher's Lane seems to be on the 20 actus line, but it is not mentioned by Nightingale.
The Cardo Maximus
Road 'd' has the longest straight section of any of the roads in the area and was chosen by Nightingale to be this principle axis. By itself this choice would be purely arbitrary. However, Nightingale argued that if this line is projected it lines up with the Rochester to Maidstone Roman Road to the south of the river Medway. This latter road would then have formed the surveying line for the centurial land system to the north of the river. To obtain a regular grid a further line was necessary at right angles to the first and this was supplied by extending Watling Street in a straight line towards the River Medway. This axis formed the Decumanus Maximus.
One of the great fallacies of our time is that Roman roads are constructed in straight lines. They are constructed m straight sections, but if they just went in a series of straight lines we would have a completely different settlement pattern of Roman towns than the one that actually ex�sts. It appears that Nightingale had taken the !onge _ st stra1�ht length of road in the centurial and then lined 1t up ":'1th one of the sections of Roman road to the south of the nver and then equated this with a surveyed line (A on Fig. 1). The longest length of Roman road to survive to the south of the river is that which passes through Delce. If projected this gives a line several hundred metres to the west of the longest straight length of the Cardo Max1111us (Bon Fig. 1). It also more or less aligns with road 'c'. Why then, isn't 'c' the principal axis? Which part of the Rochester to Maidstone road should be used as the survey line? If another section of Roman road �s taken (C on Fig. 1) and projected, then an even gre� ter d1scr _ epancy to the east is arrived at. If any of the straight sections (at least five) of the supposed Cardo Maxim us to the north of the river are used not a single one of them mat0es up with the Delce section of the Roman road. Usmg the Roman road to the south of the river, as a survey line seems to be meaningless and therefore, likewise creating a right angle from it to form the Decumanus Maxim us. The 2 evidence for the existence of a cenlurinl system to the north of the river therefore has to depend upon what actually exists on the Hoo peninsula.
The centurial roads and fields
The roads to the south of Cliffe and Cooling whilst parallel are only so in a general sense. To use Nightingale's terminology they are 'warped' (p.157) i.e. there has been a shift in the alignment of the road. Through a process of time, warping could easily take place, although the shift in roads 'a' and 'b' seems excessive. Those who would argue centuriation exists, seem to have taken the specific points on roads 'a' to 'd' which can be fitted into an actus system. The idea of warping or shift whilst perfectly possible, indeed probable, creates an obvious problem. There is no way of knowing whether the points used on any of the roads from which measurements have been taken are actually in situ Roman roads. The genuine Roman road (if any) may be the part that appears to have shifted. We have no way of knowing whether or not a specific section of road has moved, nor do we know the date of the original construction or movement (if any).
Taking one example chosen at random, Station Road. (road 'b') is 30 actus to the west of the Cardo Maxnnus along line 1. However, if the measurement is taken further south along line 2 then the measurement in actus is approximately 26.375 actus which doesn't make a lot of sense. However, in imperial land measurement:
26.375 x 120 Roman feet x 11.6496 inches divided by 12 = 3072.582 (English) feet, divided by 3 = 1024.194 yards, divided by 5.5 = 186.22 poles= 4 furlongs 26 poles 3ft and 5 inches.
For the sake of argument this could be regarded as 4 furlongs and 26 poles. I have no way of knowing whether it was normal to measure in single poles. However, I have no doubt that measurements in 4 pole (i.e. a chain) multiples were made. Also I have no doubt that by taking specific straight stretches of road, distances in 4 pole multiples could be created over much of the area.
The length of the road to the south of line 2 is on • different angle, but just as straight as that at 1. To take a length of road and say that it is 30 actus away (even thought the rest of the road is not at that measurement) from (an unproven) Cardo Maximus and that therefore it existed in the Roman period seems to be the height of archaeological folly. 'Yes', more or less exact act us measurements can be created. However, it would be just as logical to take a stretch of road on a 4 pole multiple to the 'Cardo Maximus' and say that the road at that point was measured out using English land measurement in the post-medieval, medieval or Anglo-Saxon periods. There is just no way of knowing.
The same applies to the fields themselves. A measurement of 5 actus seems to apply for some fields, but some fields seem equally to have been laid out using furlongs and also:
5 actus = 600 Roman feet = 582.48 English feet (600 x 11.6496 divided by 12),. divided by 3 = 194.16 yards = 0.971 furlongs= 35.3 poles.
If the measurement we�e measured with a tape over this 582.48 feet (remembering the land is not flat) a discrepnncy of 0.3 of a pole (4.95ft) from a measurement of 35 poles i not bad. In my view the most likely method of measuring out a field boundary would be by pacing or u ing a 'pole' of known length. If so the measurement then becomes reasonably (one is tempted to say 'very') accurate. Therefore the 5 act11s fields are just as likely to be 35 poles. If a figure of 36 poles was used (i.e. 9 chains) even then the error if placed over undulating, and no doubt muddy land, is not excessive (about llft).
Furthermore although the northern part Thatcher's Lane seems to be within Nightingale's limits for actus, it is, along with road 'e' and 'f' ignored. The latter two roads do not seem to match up with actus measurements as taken from the supposed Cardo Maximus even though they could (arguably) be regarded as parallel to the others. The reader is referred to Nightingale's Figure 2 (based on the O.S. 6 inch map) for the following point. On this figure it is noticeable that if projected northwards the line of road 'c' does not line up with field boundaries as taken from the 1840 Tithe Map. This projected line cuts through the fields, whjch are supposedly of Roman date.
The longest alignments of the field boundaries as taken rfrom the Tithe Map are aligned both north to south and •east to west. Others are angled away from these main ruspositions; overall the fields are not in alignment with one another and therefore can hardly be used to argue in favour of a centurial system.
Maps
Over the years I have learnt that trying to use 1:50000; 1 :25000; 6 inch or other 'normal' scales for thjs type of work can only create an impression of what is there. To obtain accurate measures for field boundaries, distances between roads, etc. the Ordnance Survey 1:500 scale maps need to be used.
In this instance there is also the problem of tracing the field boundaries from the 1840 Tithe Map, then having to convert them to the O.S. 6 inch scale, and then actuaJly drawing them in their correct position. Such a process is difficult, errors creep in. In Nightingale's Figure 2 for r"1"1stance the scale of furlongs itself has been incorrectly Jrawn; 1.7cm. represents 1 furlong, yet 2 furlongs are 3.55cm. (should be 3.4cm) and 3 furlongs 5.4cm. (should be 5.lcm.). The discrepancies are small but once scaled up they are enough to create considerable errors. For example comparing the discrepancy between 5.1cm. and 5.4cm once scaled is 13.9 yards•= 41.7ft. which is just over 2.5 poles. Throughout I have taken the 1.7cm. measurement (and multiples thereof) to be representative of furlongs.
Conclusions
It seems that in Nightingale's article we have a classic case of something that can be seen on maps to be unusual (a point upon which everyone agrees) and then archaeologists allowing their own biases to overcome objective thought. I would suggest that neither the roads nor the fields can satisfactorily be used be used to argue that a Roman centurial system was laid out in this area. Specific points can be taken and the measurements can be made into whatever the researcher wants. We all know (but may not admit) that in such instances there will be a 3 tendency to allow our own biases to dictate our interpretations. I have no doubt that if we really tried a case could be made for tenth century B.C. Sumerian colorusts measuring out the land in cubits.
As I have been in archaeology a long time I am not so stupid as to say that a Roman centuria/ land system does not exist to the south of Cliffe and Cooling. It may do, but the case for such has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt. Equally valid alternatives based on the furlong, chain and/ or pole could be created.
Those individuals who believe that such a Roman centurial system exists in this area and who want to convince sceptics such as myself should, in my view, first undertake a study of estate maps. I suspect that the land formed part of the Cobham Hall estate for wh.ich maps exist. Such a study may give an earlier date (if very lucky perhaps back to the early seventeenth century) for the field system shown on the 1840 Tithe Map. Then by nonexcavation archaeological techniques (overall aerial photographs and geo-physical surveys in selected places) a planned field system may be identified in the ground.Excavation in selective places to obtain dating evidence from any ditches that might survive could then take place. By plotting out this evidence on the largest scale map they would then be able to show whether a Roman centurial grid was created in this area and I would be the first to congratulate them.
NOTE: I have been told the Uruversity of East Anglia have undertaken a computer study of the 'centuriated' area around Cliffe and have proved that it exists. The obvious first question to ask is has a comparative computer study been undertaken? Have computer grids using (surprise, surprise) the English foot, pole, chain or furlong-as well as the Roman actus been created? I have the suspicion that no such comparative study has been made and until such time that it is undertaken any 'proof' that a Roman centuriated system exists is worthless.
Addendum
To the south of the River Medway, along the length of Watling Street from the eastern outskirts of Gillingham as far as Newington, there is a similar parallel road system. This apparent regularity has itself been commented upon (most recently in the superb new book The Gillingham Chronicles by Ron Baldwin 1998. Many years ago when I attended Ron's adult education classes in local history he always told us to go out and 'do it'; observe, listen, collect the evidence, write it down. At the time I never thought I would. Now I do and, most of the time, I thoroughly enjoy the chaJJenge. Thanks Ron).
Several of the roads Barnsole Road, Woodlands Road, Featherby Road, Eastcourt Lane and Twydall Lane are all known to date back at least to the fifteenth century and some at least may have been tracks in the Roman period (Baldwin 1998, p.32-3). However, if the reader studies the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 map is very noticeable that this western group 'kinks' about halfway between Watling Street and the river and creates a djfferent parallel alignment. When areas to the east are sturued two further groups of parallel roads also appear. It is very noticeable that only with the easternmost group of roads, nearer to Newington, is anything like a right angle created with Watling Street. It is also noticeable that this group is the closest to Hartlip and Bo ted Roman vi1las, which may (or may not) be significant. The western group of roads are nearer a right angle with the Lower Road adjacent to the river and one is tempted to say they were offset from that road rather than Watling Street and the latter formed the southern termination of these roads.
Whilst groups of roads are parallel to one another the groups are not. If this is a Roman land system it can hardly be said to be regular let alone ce11fllrial. I have only measured the distances between the eastern most group of roads. Along the random line chosen neither in actus or furlongs did the measurements seem to make any pattern. Whilst the 1:25000 scale is unsatisfactory for such a test I suspect that the general conclusions would not be altered using a larger scale map. As with the area to the north of the river if selected points were to be chosen I am quite sure we could create patterns in whatever measurement we want. Such a way of making a field pattern, of any period, will be meaningless.
NOTE: A more detailed text, along with several figures, has been deposited with the Guildhall Museum, Rochester.
Alan Ward
May 1999
Figure 1. The 'parallel' road system in the Rochester area.
You and Your Society The Kent Archaeological Society's new lecture season in Kent's Cathedral Cities.
ROCHESTER
at The Auditorium, Medway Visitor Centre, 95 High Street.
2nd October 1999 5th February 2000 3rd June 2000 First Report - Two Kent Professional Units report on their year so far - (in order of appearance) Dave Perkins of the Trust for Thanet Archaeology and (a lecturer) of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
Confessions of an Editor - Andrew Selkirk, Editor of Current Archaeology and Founder and Chairman of the Council for Independent Archaeology. Here he looks back on the first 30 years of Current Archaeology and the changes in archaeology in this period, and will also hazard some guesses about archaeology in the next 30 years.
Rochester Cathedral: A Study in Transition - Alan Stevens B.A., is a part-time lecturer in the University of Kent at Canterbury. Rochester Cathedral has always been poor. Parts are unfinished, yet it is supremely elegant. The transitions are easy to see.
CANTERBURY
at the Ramsey Lecture Theatre, Christ Church University College, North Holmes Road.
13th November 1999 Are you writing, or do you want to write a local history? Aims, audiences and academic standards: a discussion of some of the approaches to writing a local history - Dr. Elizabeth Edwards, Director of Part-time History, University of Kent at Canterbury.
4th March 2000 The Archaeology of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link - Helen Glass is the Senior Archaeologist of Rail Link Engineering.
1st April 2000 Kent on Film - Frank Gray is curator of the South East Film and Video Archive.
All of the lecture afternoons commence at 2 p.m. (Doors open at 1.30 p.m.).
Purchase your tickets now to avoid disappointment. Members receive one third discount off the full price of £3.
Please complete the booking form and send the form, your cheque and stamped self-addressed envelope to Denis Anstey.
All of the above details are believed to be accurate at the time of publication. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Kent Archaeological Society reserves the right to substitute a different venue, subject and/or lecturer.
Dr. A. P. Detsicas is very grateful to the members of the Society for their contributions to his retirement presentation, which he appreciated very much.
Church Interests The Kent Archaeological Society has long taken a keen interest in the church heritage of the county. Many articles have been published in Archaeologica Cantiana, particularly in the earlier period, and our Churches Committee has been active in many conservation areas.
The work of the Churches Committee owed much to the drive and commitment of Michael Nightingale as its Chairman, and his death has prompted a review by the Committee of the Society's involvement in Church matters. It is also recognized that the agenda for church researches is rapidly developing nationally with, for example, the founding of the Society of the Church Archaeology and the publication of the CBA Research Report on "Church Archaeology, Research Directions for the Future".
In future, Churches Committee activities can concentrate on three main areas: research and study of churches in their context; information distribution and education; and some carefully selected conservation projects.
Your views on the way forward, including possible activities and projects, would be most welcome. A meeting will be held, chaired by the President, in the Church Barn, Charing, on Saturday October 9th at 11 am (the morning of the Building Recorders Conference in the afternoon) to allow interested members to discuss church activities (Head for Charing Church and you will see the Barn!).
For those unable to attend the October meeting, the President will be in KAS Library, Maidstone Museum, on Saturday September 25th from 2 pm onwards, to meet you and hear your views; or he would be pleased to hear from you in writing by October 15th. The address to write to is: Paul Oldham.
The future of our church activities will be determined by the interest and views of members - do come to the meeting or contact Paul Oldham.
CONFERENCE OF BUILDING RECORDERS
The 36th Annual Conference of Building Recorders will take place this year on Saturday 9th October at 2.15pm at the Barn, Charing (north of the Church). As usual it will consist of a series of short talks upon recent work. No advance tickets will be issued. Please pay at the door, £1 for members, £2 for visitors. Tea will be provided extra in aid of Charing Church Funds. Note that this meeting will be in the afternoon and will follow the meeting called by the President at 11am to discuss our work on churches.
Bankers Orders The Hon Membership Secretary wishes all those who returned their new bankers orders so promptly. 220 were received in just four days!.
Calling all Diggers Further to our note in the spring issue, K.A.S. has completed a list of people who would like to participate in excavations.
cont. on page 6 5 KAS HOMEPAGE cont.
The Kent County Council has agreed to identify projects undertaken by professional archaeologists but where volunteers would be welcome. The society has been asked to maintain a list of such volunteers who will be informed of opportunities. The selection of participants on any excavation will be the responsibility of the director of the excavation concerned.
Members of the society and its affiliated organizations are welcome to apply but so are non-members who have some experience of archaeological excavation. There may also be opportunities for people to work on finds processing on site.
Application forms for inclusion on the list may be obtained from:- Hon. Secretary of Fieldwork Committee, David Bacchus,
TWISDEN PORTRAIT EXHIBITED
The Society is loaning its portrait of Sir Thomas Twisden from the collection to the Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, London E2 BEA. It will be on display from 21st September, 1999 to 30 January, 2000 in an exhibition to celebrate the tercentenary of Mary Beale the seventeenth century portrait painter. She worked for some time in the studio of Sir Peter Lely and her work which is of high quality, has sometimes been attributed to Lely.
CHRISTMAS BUFFET. Saturday December 4th. By popular demand we are returning to the splendid catering at the Hop Farm Paddock.
Courses, Events, Teaching Aids
UNIVERSITY OF KENT - PART-TIME COURSES IN ARCHAEOLOGY
The University of Kent will be offering a wide range of part-time courses in archaeology within its Combined Studies Programme for mature students starting in September and October. Courses on the Celts, the Romans, the Middle Ages, the archaeology of Kent, Ancient Egypt, archaeological technique, and standing buildings will be held variously in Ashford, Broadstairs, Canterbury, Chatham, Dartford, Faversham, Folkestone, Maidstone, Sittingbourne, and Tonbridge. Anyone can join these courses; no prior educational qualifications are necessary.
Some places also remain on the University's part-time Certificate in Archaeological Studies (at Canterbury this year) and its Diploma in Archaeological Studies (at Tonbridge this year). These programmes can lead to a degree in archaeological studies through part-time study. Admission is via an informal interview.
For further information, please contact the Unit for Part-time Study, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NP. Tel: 01227 823507. Email: part-time@ukc.ac.uk.
CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CANTERBURY.
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Romano-British Studies: Surveying (basic): Surveying (intermediate): Surveying (basic): Saturdays Sundays Saturdays Sundays 10 am to noon, 9 October for 20 weeks plus field trips.
10 am to 1 pm 3 October for 6 weeks.
10 am to 1 pm 29 April 2000 for 6 weeks 10 am to 1 pm 30 April 2000 for 6 weeks.
Non-certificate courses and walks: Contact: Department of Continuing Education, Christ Church University College, North Holmes Road, Canterbury.
Phone 01227 767700 Local Archaeology: Church and Castle in Medieval England: Town and Country in Medieval England: Wednesdays 7-9 pm 13 October for 10 weeks.
Wednesday 7-9 pm 19 January for 10 weeks.
Wednesday 7-9 pm 19 April for 10 weeks.
All of the walks listed below are several miles in length with occasional steep slopes. Walking boots or shoes (previously 'broken in'), wet weather gear and packed lunch are all advised. We travel in our own or shared cars to the venue. Please book early.
'Fight the Flab': Stone Circles and Barrows: Two Sussex Hill Forts: The Vale of the White Horse: 26 December 1999, a circular Boxing Day walk from Wye to Crundale church along muddy footpaths.
26 March 2000 (Sunday), an annual circular walk around the Neolithic Bronze Age monuments of the Avebury area.
16 April 2000 (Sunday), a circular walk including the Iron Age hill forts of Chanctonbury and Cissbury Rings enjoying the South Downs along the way.
11 June 2000 (Sunday), a circular walk along the Berkshire Ridgeway visiting the Uffington White Horse and Iron Age Hill Fort and the Neolithic long barrow of Wayland's Smithy.
WORKERS EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION COURSES: Contact: WEA Head Office S.E. Region, 4 Castle Hill, Rochester. Phone 01634 842140.
Dover: The Dark Ages: Gravesend: The Dark Ages: Thursdays 7 to 9 pm 23 September for 10 weeks.
Thursday 7.30-9.30pm starting January 2000 for 10 weeks.
Sevenoaks: Local Archaeology: Wednesdays 2 to 4pm 29 September for 10 weeks LOCAL EDUCATION CENTRE COURSES: Medway: Contact Medway Adult Education Centre, Eastgate, Rochester, Phone 01634 845359 Age of Arthur, Tuesdays 1-3pm 21 September for 10 weeks.
'1066 and all that', Tuesdays 1-3pm 11 January 2000 for 10 weeks.
GCSE Archaeology: Tuesday 7-9pm 21 September to June 2000.
A Level Medieval History, Fridays 7-9pm 25 September to June 2000.
Canterbury: Contact Adult Studies Centre, St John's Place, Canterbury. Phone 01227 451017.
The Dark Ages, Mondays 7-9pm 20 September for 10 weeks.
'1066 and all that' Mondays 7-9pm 10 January for 10 weeks.
ORPINGTON & DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY: Excavations at Scadbury Moated Manor, Chislehurst.
On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September the archaeological excavations at the medieval moated manor site at Scadbury will be open to the public. Members of the Orpington and District Archaeological Society (ODAS) will give guided tours, showing the work that is currently being carried out on the site as well as the remains of the foundations of the buildings associated with the Walsingham family and unlike many similar moated sites the island is still completely surrounded by water.
Guided tours will be given at 15 minute intervals throughout both afternoons, the first at 2.00pm and the last at 4.30pm. There will also be a photographic display, refreshments, and bookstall.
Admission is free. Limited car parking space is available close to the site, by ticket only, for which application should be made (enclosing a s.a.e. and stating for which day required) to: Mr. M Meekums.
Essex County Council Field Archaeological Unit is again offering a Field School including lectures, at its Cressing Temple Site this August. Each course lasts a week and costs £100. The site is that of a Medieval, moated farmhouse with Late Iron Age and Late Roman evidence also. It is located about 3 miles north of Witham on the main road to Braintree (B1018). B&B accommodation is available nearby as are camping facilities. The lower (unaccompanied) age limit is 16. For further information contact Mark Atkinson, Field Archaeology Unit, Essex County Council SPECIAL OFFER FOR SCHOOL TEACHER MEMBERS IN KENT Are you a working school teacher in the county of Kent? Are you or is your school a current member of Kent Archaeological Society? If the answer to these questions is 'yes', then you are entitled to receive two recently published educational resources, completely free of charge. Both publications are products of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust/Kent Archaeological Society/Kent County Council joint Archaeological Service, managed by Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
Both resources are designed to help you meet the needs of the National Curriculum and beyond. Information is presented in a user-friendly way allowing you to 'dip' into particular aspects which will be of interest to you.
Roman and Anglo-Saxon Canterbury Reconstructed (normally retailing at £8.75) This versatile teaching pack (published in 1998) can support a wide range of teaching programmes in the National Curriculum (Key Stages 1, 2 and 3) at GCSE and at A level in History, Geography and Archaeology. It draws on a wealth of primary evidence excavated by archaeologists working in the city since the 1940's. So you can develop your personal knowledge with confidence! For those wanting to learn more, a bibliography is included for all references used in the writing of the pack. Included in the pack are: Two quality coloured reconstruction prints of the centre of Canterbury in Roman and Anglo-Saxon times, for work with individuals, groups or classes (1 of each period, A4, laminated). These form the focus for the pack.
Background notes which set the scene in pre-Roman times, trace the growth of the Roman town and its eventual decline, portraying the settlement of the Anglo-Saxon period up to the Norman Conquest (52 pp).
Ideas for ways to use the Reconstructions in a teaching environment and in tandem with other resources. They can be used in teaching History units and in a cross-curricular fashion at Key Stages 1 and 2. Use them as stimulating images for work in Literacy Hour! Anglo-Saxon societies.
A set of 15 black and white figures which supplement the reconstruction drawings and illustrate further aspects of Roman and Discovering Archaeology in National Curriculum History, Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (normally retailing at £3.00) This useful booklet (first published in 1997) presents a range of useful information and ideas for activities with children. It has sections on: Archaeology past and present, How Archaeology can help children to learn, What Archaeologists do on an excavation and finds processing after the dig, Archaeology in the
MISSING EARLY MEDIEVAL GLASS VESSELS
For several years I have been involved in research into early medieval glass vessels found in Kent, and my search has taken me to all parts of the county, and to venues throughout the country. Mostly my discoveries have been made in museum collections, but there are several items which are known to have been held in private collections, usually at locations such as a vicarage, or a manor house, often located close to an excavated Anglo-Saxon cemetery.
For some time, I have been trying to trace two missing Anglo-Saxon glass vessels from the village of Eastry, near Sandwich, at Brook House, where, before the 1920s, two glass vessels excavated from Anglo-Saxon graves, and two Jutish pottery vessels were known to have been held by the owners of that time. These vessels are recorded items, and photographs are shown here.
Photographs by kind permission of the Society of Antiquaries.
The vessels were excavated in 1792, and were known to be in the possession of the owners of the house at the time the items were published in 1909. It appears that the vessels may have disappeared some time between the date of publication and the early 1920s when the house changed hands and all trace of them seems to have been lost.
The present owners have no knowledge of these items and were unaware of their existence until I approached them and made enquiries. I hope in writing this article, to stir the memory of any reader who may have knowledge of the vicinity either before, or during the 1920s, and who may remember, or have knowledge of these glass vessels.
It is possible they passed into the hands of a relative, or were given away, perhaps to a local person. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might be able to help me solve this mystery, and any information, however insignificant it may seem, will be greatly welcomed. I can be contacted on 01303 259234, and will be pleased to hear from you.
WIN STEPHENS
Re-issue of 'The History of Meopham'
Meopham Historical Society is proposing to re-issue in paperback a limited number of copies of C.H. Golding Bird's classic "History of Meopham". A small re-issue was brought out in 1990, but no stock remains. As it is the accredited history of the village, originally published in 1934, it was felt appropriate to plan a re-issue for the new Millennium, the price to be in the region of £10, excluding postage and packing. At this stage the Society needs to have a clear idea of how many people will be prepared to buy a copy. If you are interested please write as soon as possible and no later than 1st November 1999 to Miss Joan Goodwin, 35 Cheyne Walk, Meopham, Kent, DA13 0PF, enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. Everyone who replies is assured of a progress report and of being placed, in reply date order, on a provisional waiting list. It is regretted that no orders can be accepted from outside the U.K.
South Ash Muniments
I am pleased to advise members of the society that the South Ash Muniments have now been fully catalogued and are being deposited on long loan at the Centre for Kentish Studies in Maidstone. They are now available for research purposes.
The Catalogue number is U3382 and it runs to 39 pages, with the accession number being 3482.
LESLIE MORGAN
Newsletter Copy Deadlines
Spring issue - copy deadline is 1st March.
Summer issue - copy deadline is 1st July.
Winter issue - copy deadline is 1st November.
Editors Announcement
The Editors of the Newsletter welcome all letters, articles and communications, especially requests for research information , finds, books and other related topics. The Editors wish to draw the reader's attention to the fact that neither the Council of the KAS, nor the Editors are answera�le for opinions which contributors may express in the course of their signed articles. Each author is alone responsible for the contents and substance of their letters, items or papers. Material for the next Newsletter should be sent by 1st Nov. 1999 to Newsletter Editors, Mr & Mrs L. E. Ilott
Published by the Kent Archaeological Society. The Museum, St. Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 ILH.
Printed by Meran Press, Bullen Lane, East Peckham, Kent TN12 SLP. 01622 872416
