Excavations at Lullingstone Roman Villa and Richborough Castle
by Peter Wilson
The Central Excavation Unit of English Heritage recently undertook two small-scale rescue excavations at Lullingstone and Richborough.
The construction by Thames Water of the Darenth Valley Sewer necessitated the cutting of a trench some 4.40m wide across the public car park at Lullingstone Villa. Excavation in advance of the pipe-laying demonstrated that the area had been fairly low lying until well into this century. Prior to the construction of the car park, the threatened area had been made up with soil from the original excavations and from other sources.
Once the modern overburden had been removed, it was clear that the area had been within the bed of the river throughout the Roman and into the Medieval Period. The earliest levels encountered were a series of naturally deposited river gravels that contained Roman tile, presumably as a result of scouring of the river bottom in times of flood. These were sealed in part by a Roman Period layer of heavy flint cobbling that may have represented an attempt to produce a firm bottom to the river, perhaps for the watering of cattle, etc.? Away from the area occupied by the cobbling, there was evidence for depositional islands within the area of the river, suggesting that the river was wider and more sluggish in the Roman period. The depositional islands and the flint cobbles were sealed by a silt deposit that appeared to represent accumulation during the slow retreat of the river from the area, as it contained Roman material in its lowest levels and post-medieval stoneware sherd near its surface. An exploratory trench at Richborough prior to tree planting. The features mentioned in the article can be clearly seen in this HBMC photograph taken in October 1985.
An exploratory trench at Richborough prior to tree planting. The features mentioned in the article can be clearly seen in this HBMC photograph taken in October 1985.
The excavation at Richborough took place in advance of a scheme to plant trees along the eastern edge of the site, to replace those that have died off in recent years. Three areas were excavated along the edge of the cliff, the northernmost one was located to the southeast of the Medieval chapel. There it was demonstrated that the area had been used by Bushe-Fox to dump some of his spoil, so explaining an anomaly between Bushe-Fox's plans and the present appearance of the site. The second area was located immediately to the north of the southern defenses of the late third-century earth fort, where it was discovered that no Roman period features survived, with the possible exception of a tiny patch of gravel surface. The major features recorded within the area were two dug-outs dating from, probably, the 1914-1918 war.
The third area was located immediately inside the southern wall of the Saxon Shore Fort. The top 0.50-0.60m consisted of modern deposits, including a well-made cobble surface that produced third and fourth century coins when first cleaned, but was shown to contain Bakelite and modern bolts on removal! The Roman deposits were not fully excavated; however, they were shown to be between 0.70m and 1m thick. In the light of the discoveries in this area, HBMC is reassessing their planting program in the southeastern corner of the site.
New Books
Defending London's River - The story of the Thames Forts 1540-1945 by V.T.C. Smith It is always a great pleasure to notice new books by Members and to recognize their extensive research and industry in public. Mr. Victor Smith is one such long-time Member whose new book has just appeared. It is the result of his continuing work on the military history of N.W. Kent. Although only 48 pages long it contains, DEFENDING LONDON'S RIVER The name of the Thames, 1:100,000 V.T.C.SMITH however, 60 maps, plans, photographs and drawings. It is in essence exactly what the sub-title proclaims, as well as a list of all the main extant sites.
An exploratory trench at Richborough prior to tree planting. The features mentioned in the article can be clearly seen in this HBMC photograph taken in October 1985.
The book is now in print at all bookshops, price £1.95, or direct from the author, Mr. V.T.C. Smith, at £3 to include the cost of packing and postage.
Farmhouse with pyramid roof from Zuid-Scharwoude. This building dates from 1745. It is virtually square in plan, with a square haymow (p. 59) in the centre, and has a more or less pyramidal roof. The roof is supported by a framework of timbers resting on four massive wooden posts (p. 21), one at each comer of the haymow.
