KAS Newsletter, Issue 62, Autumn 2004

Issue number 62 Autumn 2004 www.kentarchaeology.org.uk assisted by three other professionals, Emma Boast, Ges Moody and Barry Corke and supported by Mel Woodgate in the finds tent, some 40 volunteers took part. These were mostly KAS members but included students and others from uring the last two weeks of August, the eighth and final season of full excavation was carried out at the site of the Roman villa at Abbey Farm, Minster- in-Thanet. Under the direction of Keith Parfitt, Autumn 2004 1 all over the UK. One participant even picked up the details off the KAS website from her home on the island of Reunion in the middle of the Indian Ocean! Despite interruptions caused by occasional heavy rain, the excavation exceeded prior expectations with the discovery of unexpected features on three areas of the site. During the 2003 season some signs were found of a feature, thought to be of 4th century date, in the middle of the villa estate walled enclosure. In the event this appears to be the remains of a large building - post built with thick daub walls - enclosing a double chambered corn drier or, more probably a malting kiln (figs 1 & 2). Another target this year was the building to the west of the boundary wall. It had been thought that most of this building had been excavated in 2003, but not so. Further excavation this year uncovered the remains Inside 2-3 CTRL Digital Archives Library notes 4-5 CATLink up Hog Brook aisled building 6-7 Lectures, Courses, Conferences & Events Letters to the Editor 8-9 Notice Board 10-11 Elephant hunter Archbishops’ Palace, Charing 12-13 New Books UKCupdate 14-15 Anglo-Saxon site at Thurnham 16 National Archaeology Days around Kent nneewwss ll ee tt ee rr K E N T A RC H A E O LO G I C A L S O C I E T Y FINAL EXCAVATION AT ABBEY FARM continued on page 2 Figs 1 &2: Excavation in progress of the malt kiln, left to right; Ges Moody, Paul Hart, Maggy Redmond, Andy Woodgate and Steve Clifton. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Autumn 2004 2 CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE CTRL DIGITAL ARCHIVE Participants in recent years will also feel that thanks are due to one of the regular excavators (who prefers to remain anonymous) who has kept up the morale (and the waist lines) by the copious supply of cake! Chris Pout across the circular feature suggested a deep ditch, but further explanation would depend upon an opportunity to revisit the site. Eight seasons of excavation at Minster have now been completed and a good many of the secrets of the high-class villa estate have now been revealed. We must, first of all, thank Jack Clifton, the owner of Abbey Farm, for his patience with the diggers and interest in the dig. Thanks are also due to Dave Perkins, Keith Parfitt, Emma Boast and the other professionals for the guidance they have given to nearly 200 different amateurs who have participated in the dig. For many of these, Minster was a first experience of archaeological excavation, meeting the KAS objective of providing an opportunity for members to dig. Building 6 drainage pipe. placed on the ADS in a series of phases. The first phase, now available on the ADS, relates to Section 1 of the high speed rail link (fig 1). It comprises details of evaluations and fieldwork, interim reports, site plans, artifacts and environmental databases. More information will be added as further elements of fieldwork are completed from North Kent to London St Pancras, and as the detailed analysis work progresses. Over forty excavations were carried out along this first 46km stretch revealing a wealth of data including the first Neolithic longhouse to be found in Kent (fig 2), Bronze Age ring ditches, Iron Age settlements (fig 3), a Roman villa, a Romano-British cemetery, two Anglo-Saxon cemeteries and a medieval moated site. Though the ADS has been working rom 16 September researchers around the world will have access to data from one of the biggest archaeological projects ever undertaken in the UK, thanks to a collaboration between archaeologists from the Archaeology Data Service at the University of York and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link project. This utilisation of the world wide web, will enable researchers to study the findings online and for free from anywhere in the world. The CTRL is Britain’s first major new railway for over a century, and will run between St Pancras Station in London, and the Channel Tunnel near Fo l kestone. The first section of the high speed rail link through Ke n t opened to commercial services in autumn 2003. The full link will be completed to London St Pancras in early 2007. For over ten years, archaeologists employed by the CTRL project have been investigating the archaeology of Kent, Essex and London. Work in advance of construction has revealed an impressively rich array of information. The vast range of data produced during archaeological works will be CTRL ARCHAEOLOGY DIGITAL continued from page 1 of additional rooms, some of which would have been cut below the foundation level. These included rooms that may have originally enjoyed hypocausted heating systems and two drainage systems suggesting that there may also have been a couple of baths. One of the drainage channels contained an intact length of ceramic pipe – a quite rare find (fig 3). During the two weeks at Minster the opportunity was taken to carry out a further geophysical survey of part of the field using the new resistivity meter recently purchased by the Society. This survey appears to have identified the remains of a 40m diameter, circular feature, surrounded by a sub-rectangular enclosure. A trial trench Fig 1: The CTRL screen. Fig 2: Recording the soil sequence which overlay the neolithic longhouse at White Horse Stone. © Union Railways. Fig. 3 KAS New Records Series Vol. 4, P.1, 2004. Archaeologie Lieigoise Vol. CXI (2000) 2003. Archaeologische Romisch Van Zoudost Vlaanderen Vo l . XIII, 2002. Place Names of Shropshire P.4. (E.P.N.S). Northamptonshire Archaeology Vol. 30. Whitstable - History at the Horsebridge. (Geoffrey Pike). Beauty of East Kent Countryside and its Churches. (Video). Bonner Jahrbuch. 2000 (2003). Records of Buckinghamshire Vol. 44, 2004. Bede Clerks Roll Vols. 39, 1 and 2. (London Record Society). Derbyshire Archaeological Journal Vol. 124, 2004. Story of the Wye Crown. Archaeometry Vol.46. P.2. History of the Church of St. Michael and All Saints, Throwley. (John Owen). Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. CXXIV 2004. Archaeologie in Vlaanderen. Monografe 4. Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Vol. 125, 2002. Archaeological Journal Vol. 160, 2003 (R.A.I.). At the AGM in May, Dr Bob Spain gave a presentation on the Committee’s work. Reproduced here is an overview of his talk. Most of you will know that the Society’s Library is housed in Maidstone Museum, where most of the Society’s artefacts are also stored and displayed. The Library and Muniments Committee has 10 members, meets regularly during the year in the Society’s Library, and provides reports to the Council on its activities and developments. The Honorary Librarian is Dr Frank Panton and the Honorary Curator Dr Mike Still. There is, in addition, an extensive number of people who give time and labour, including specialist skills, to support the Committee in its numerous activities. The terms of reference of the Committee understandably relate to the custodianship of the Society’s collections of books, visual records, manuscripts, artefacts, and the development and maintenance of websites. These terms include acquiring and acting as custodian of the collections that include artefacts, journals, books, pamphlets and ephemera on the history and archaeology of Kent, its cities, towns, villages, churches and buildings together with a large number of old photographs, drawings, paintings and manuscript notebooks and records bequeathed by notable Kentish historians and antiquaries. The library is open to members seven days per week on presentation of a KAS Membership card, and to non- Members by appointment. The Society has a valuable collection of artefacts within the Museum, many of which are currently displayed. One of the first tasks for the Honorary Curator over the last few years was to create a complete accessions register, by extracting information on the KAS collection from index cards that were mixed indiscriminately with Maidstone Museum’s own accessions records. Using this new KAS accessions database, he has been able to answer queries received from Members and non-Members of the Society. These range from requests for information on objects known to be in the collection, to general questions as to whether we possess any items of a particular type or from a particular area of the County. He also gives permission for researchers to study items in the KAS collection. Canterbury’s Archaeology 2002-2003. Bygone Kent Vol.25 Nos. 3,4,5,6,7,8. Christopher of Seal - A Kentish Family (Anne Clinch). Fishery Settlements around the North Sea in the Middle Ages and later. Study of Place Names of the Pre-Conquest Kentish Charters. (PhD Thesis). Wiltshire Studies Vol. 97, 2004. Medieval Archaeology Vol. 48, 2004. Materialhefte Zur Archaeologie (Stuttgart) Heft 56, 2004. Greater London Quarterly Review, two Vols. March 2004, June 2004. (EH London). Autumn 2004 3 L I B R A RY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY NOTES LIBRARY & MUNIMENTSCOMMITTEE NEW ACQUISITIONS MARCH - AUGUST 2004 DIGITAL ARCHIVE with web-delivery of archaeological archives for several years, the CTRL archive is the first time it has worked with commercially-sponsored research. Dr Julian Richards, Director of ADS, said: “This is a big step for us. It’s the first time we’ve become involved in a major commercial research contract. It shows the value of collaborating with private companies which will allow us to bring new discoveries to the attention of academic researchers.” “Although increasing numbers of universities are active in archaeological research, the vast majority of archaeological research take s place for commercial reasons. Private developers are required to fund research when their works have an effect on archaeologically sensitive areas.” “Thanks to electronic communications, we can make these records available to anyone who is interested.” CTRL archaeologist Jay Carver says, “There appears to be a knowledge gap between the academic and public archaeological community and developer funded work – the ADS makes it possible to attempt to fill that gap by making results easily accessible for private and professional researchers alike.” “The CTRL Archaeology Project is pleased to place their electronic archive with the ADS and sees it as a key part of its dissemination strategy.” Helen J Glass, Archaeology Manager for Rail Link Engineering ADS: http://ads.ahds.ac.uk CTRL: www.ctrl.co.uk Fig 3: The carefully buried Iron Age horse from Northumberland Bottom near Gravesend. continued on page 4 Autumn 2004 4 LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS LIBRARY NOTES & LINK UPS anterbury Archaeological Trust Education Service has on a number of occasions made successful contributions to events hosted by other organisations. Some examples would be National Archaeology Day, and Science, Engineering and Te c h n o l o g y Week, both with Canterbury Museums, Church Schools Day with Canterbury Cathedral Education Service and Science Day with Greenacre School (Secondary), Chatham – all annual events. Most such events to date have 462062 or e.mail to mariongreen@ canterburytrust.co.uk. been within Canterbury District and we are interested in extending educational activity into central/ west Kent. Do you host an event where a CAT contribution would be welcome? You can contact Marion Green, C AT Education Officer and discuss ideas you may have at CAT, 92A Broad Street, Canterbury CT1 2LU, tel: 01227 The other important task is to ensure that the objects are properly conserved. On a day-to-day basis we rely on the humidity and temperature controls within the Museum, but remedial conservation work is still needed at times. Since most artefacts in the KAS collection are in storage with Maidstone Museum’s own collections – only a limited number can be displayed at any one time – the Honorary Curator is happy to accept the advice of the Keeper of Human History who has direct access to the material. Joint inspections of KAS material occur to assess conservation needs. The Society also has a collection of 42 portraits of the Twysden family, dating from the sixteenth century onwards, which are displayed at Bradbourne House, East Malling, where they may be visited by Members of the Society. This collection was bequeathed to the Society by Sir John Twisden, and accepted in 1938 following the death of Sir John, the last of his line. There are a great number of people who voluntarily provide regular help to the Committee. A recent count showed there to be at least 26 volunteers. They work singly or in groups on various projects, for example currently these include; books, shelf cleaning and maintenance – as you know we have a book collection of 3500 national journals and county journals, including Kent, Surrey and Sussex journals and a similar number of Kent Topography and general books. We also have a group of volunteers working on Visual Records and data entry. They also index new acquisitions, when our computers and catalogues are essential, and do work relating to our manuscript collections including sorting and indexing the Hussey files of genealogical and family history information and the Gordon Ward papers. Finally, they are involved in updating the websites, of which the KAS has two, which we often identify simply as ‘org’ and ‘ac’. The ‘org’ site has a research section managed by Ted Connell. This is a fast developing and growing site and the statistics given here will probably be outdated! The research section now contains over 6500 individual web pages and during the month of April this year, visitors entered the site via a total of over 3000 separate pages. Monumental Inscriptions of Kent churchyards are being added to every month and the on-line Archaeologia Cantiana continues to grow – over 1000 visitors consulted the ‘introductory page’ to the contents of all 123 volumes during April 2004. Transcriptions of Leland Duncan’s Medieval and Tudor Wills are continually being added to the site and the introductory page received over 1500 visits during the same month. In addition, visual records are being scanned and added to the website. Visits to the ‘org’ website come from all over the world, and during April 2004, the total number of visits was nearly 18,000, with a daily average of 591. The number of pages visited was over 74,000, with a daily average of nearly 2500. Project Manager of the ‘ac’ website is Denis Anstey. This site has been established for academic research use, and the reputation and integrity of the site is therefore paramount. The Library book-stock catalogue is continually being updated and the Gordon Ward catalogue is currently being created. Both of these are entered by a professional librarian, thus ensuring the integrity of the databases and the correct entry style. The visual records catalogue is being added to. Electronic publishing on this website, with Joy Sage maintaining the database, provides a great potential for the S o c i e t y. Currently databases are being prepared of the Society’s material held at the County Archives, and of accessioned material. An artefacts record has been completed. In addition to all these working groups, there is a continuous rota of volunteers that attend the Library during opening hours, to help and advise Members who wish to access the library stock and collections. Under the leadership of Frank Panton, recent achievements have included transforming the Library with more appropriate furniture, providing easier use by researchers, and enabling groups of up to 25 to hold seminars – witness the success of the recent Lectures in the Library. He has also undertaken reorganization of books on shelves; protected the more valuable and rare books within locked cabinets; provided a health and safety guide book concerning use of the Library and provided a guide book to assist in locating books within the Library, Marsham Street and Bradbourne House. A sub-committee of the KAS Pu b l i c a t i o n s Committee has been formed, chaired by Frank Panton, to advise on the possibilities for electronic publication of future KAS publications. Finally, you are all very welcome to the Library, and if any of you would like to take part in these various activities, Frank would be very pleased to hear from you. WOULD YOU LIKE TO LINK UP? National Science Week, looking at the Medieval diet. continued from page 3 of a small cow. Stamped Samain pottery from the initial builders trench date the construction of this massive stone building from 80AD to 95AD whilst Saxon pottery and a gilt bronze brooch found on the late Roman floor show the building continued in use until at least the 5th century. The building was destroyed by fire as attested by burnt roof timbers still surviving under the fallen tiled roof. With so much surviving from the building it is possible to state that the design was of an arcaded stone building with clerestory lighting, with separate nave and aisle roofs of a type favoured by Collingwood, Richmond and oth - ers (Collingwood & Richmond 1969, 149). The building shows that for this villa estate at least, a basilical prototype was drawn upon for the aisled building, and that in form it had much more in comxcavation by students of the Kent Archaeological Field School this summer at Hog Brook, close to Deerton Street and just to the north of Wa t l i n g Street (the A2), revealed an exceptionally well-preserved early Roman stone-built aisled building which continued in use into the Saxon period. Full details of the excavation will not be given here but will be in the final report to be published later this year. From geophysical survey conducted as part of the student coursework it is clear the building was not isolated but associated with other buildings in the vicinity and the large Roman villa located to the west of the spring. This villa has been excavated by students of the Field School over four seasonal campaigns and dates from the early 2nd century to the 5th century. The large Roman villa estate is one of a number found in recent years by Dr Paul Wilkinson along the line of Watling Street. All are located around a spring, set back from Watling Street and with easy access to the sea. It seems the area farmed is about 2000 acres per villa and at Deerton Street there can be recognised in the modern field boundaries field divisions of 20 actus square, the classic field shape from the Roman period. The spring at Deerton Street is called Hog Brook, and on the east bank field-walking located the remains of a substantial Roman building which on excavation turned out to be 35m 70cm (117ft 2inches) long and 15m 40cm (50ft 7inches) wide, with twenty substantial stone piers still surviving to the first course (fig 1). The late Roman floors were still intact, as was, amazingl y, a fallen Roman rectangular column built of Kentish ragstone and Tufa blocks mortared together with a double line of Roman tiles spaced vertically every 1m 08cm to 1m 15cm (fig 2). Under the fallen 6m column there was the articulated skeleton mon with a basilica in a Roman forum than with a medieval aisled barn (figs 3 & 4). Why such an architecturally sophisticated stone building should have been built so early in the Kentish countryside can probably be answered by one word - corn. The Romans needed huge amounts, and this building, established early with the villa estate in one of the most fertile parts of Kent, its huge side entrances and a deepwater channel abutting the rear of the building, allowed barges to load and unload alongside this huge warehouse with ease. Dr Paul Wilkinson Director Kent Archaeological Field School Autumn 2004 5 R O M A N A I S L E D B U I L D I N G AT H O G B R O O K ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK ROMAN BUILDING AT HOG BROOK fig 1 fig 2 fig 3 fig 4 LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSES AND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSES AND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSES AND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSES AND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS Autumn 2004 6 Lectures, Conferences, Courses and Events KAS Christmas Lunch, Saturday 27 November in the Hall of Wye College Reception with bar open from 11am. Second-hand bookstall and gift stall will be open. Members are invited to bring their own publications. The traditional Christmas lunch will be served at 12.00. An alternative vegetarian menu is available if pre-ordered. After lunch, Michael Gandy, an eminent researcher and writer, will entertain in lively fashion, telling us what music hall songs can reveal about Victorian and Edwardian life. We are then invited to a tour of a Grade II* Jacobean house in Wye, the home of our member Ian Coulson (a recommendation in itself!). The afternoon will close with a cup of tea at a local pub. Price to cover meal and expenses is £20.00. Please return the booking form enclosed with this newsletter to reserve your place. Council for Kentish Archaeology Celebrating 40 years of Archaeological Discoveries in Kent on Saturday 6 November, 2-5.30pm Canterbury Christ Church University College Illustrated talks: The Discovery of the Roman Religious Town at Springhead Victor Smith Excavating the Roman Forts at Dover and Reculver Brian Philp Presentation workshops with finds and plans, led by: Orpington & District Archaeological Society, Springhead E xcavation Group, Lower Medway Archaeological Re s e a r c h Group, Bromley and West Kent Archaeological Group, Upchurch Archaeological Research Group, Dover Archaeological Group. Tickets £4, available from CKA, 7 Sandy Ridge, Borough Green TN15 8HP. Cheques payable to CKA. Further information available on www.the-cka.fsnet.co.uk or from Conference Organiser, Ruth Plummer, tel: 0208 7777872 email: davru58- cka@yahoo.co.uk. WEA Course - Archaeological Field Techniques Wednesdays 2-4pm, Camden Centre, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells. Fee: £80 standard, £60 reduced, £5 minimum. Contact Valerie Farebrother, Ambleside, Riverhall Hill, Frant, Tunbridge Wells TN3 9EP. Tonbridge Historical Society . Lecture series, Thursdays, 7.45pm in the Adult Education Centre, Tonbridge. 28 October Kent Women – Famous, Infamous & Unsung Chris McCooey Saturday 27 November 2.30pm 2 presentations: English Timber Framed Buildings & Constructing a Medieval Cathedral both by David Carder. Tea interval. Booking necessary – details from Sec on 01732 838698 6 January ‘05 1945. The exile of the East Prussians: Hitler’s last sacrifice? Isabel Denny 17 February ’05 Support for the Fleet: the Royal Dockyards at the time of Trafalgar Jonathan Coad 7 April ’05 7.30pm AGM, followed by lecture Further details from Shiela Broomfield. Tel: 01732 838698. Bexley Local Studies & Archive Centre Winter Talks All talks at 7.30pm at Hall Place All talks cost £3.50 or £4.00. To order tickets and for further information tel: 020 8301 1545. Tuesday 16 November Under Our Feet; Archaeology in Bexley Today Tony Thomas Tuesday 7 December Underground Kent Rod Le Gear Wednesday 19 January ‘05 Fashion Accessories; Hats, Shoes and Gloves Lee Ault Wednesday 23 March ‘05 Rural Survivors Malcolm Barr-Hamilton Sevenoaks Historical Society Talks Meetings held on Thursdays at the Undercroft, St Nicholas’ Church at 8pm. All Talks £1.50 except for 4 November which is free. 4 November The Meaning of the First World War Prof. Hew Stratchan, All Souls College, Oxford. 18 November The Campaign and Battle of Trafalgar Colin White, Director, Trafalgar National Maritime Museum and Deputy Director, Royal Naval Museum 27 January ’05 The Coastal Shipping Trades and Harbours of the Thames Estuary 1800-1950 Roy Walker 24 February ’05 The Story of the Dance Band Days 1920s, 30s and 40s Don Dray 24 March ’05 The Life of William Morris Dai Evans, Property Manager, Petworh L e c t u res, Conferences, Courses and Events KAS EVENTS COURSES CONFERENCES LECTURES OTHER EVENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY The Grade II* Jacobean house in Wye. Speakers include: Keith Parfitt - Dover, Andrew Butcher - Hythe, Gill Draper & Frank Meddens - New Romney, Peter Marsden - Hastings, David Martin - Winchelsea, Helen Clarke – multi-disciplinary projects at Sandwich & Rye. Gustav Milne will provide an Introduction & Summing Up. Conference chaired by David Rudling. Event also includes the CBA SE AGM. For further details or application form please send A5 s.a.e. to David Morriss, CCE, Arts E201, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, E.Sussex BN1 9QQ. Ouse Valley Project Symposium on Saturday 20 November 10am-5pm Centre for Continuing Education, University of Sussex. The launch of a major new interdisciplinary landscape research project studying the Sussex Ouse from sources to sea. An outline of the Sussex Ouse Research Project Prof. Peter Drewett Changes in rural land management & farming practices in and around the Ouse Valley and their impact on the downland landscape Dr Sue Berry Industrial archaeology of the Ouse Valley John Blackwell & Ron Martin Iron Making in the Ouse basin Jeremy Hodgkinson Sticky Challenge: cohesive sediment movement & accumulation in the Ouse estuary Richard Charman Sussex wetland-rich woodlands – rebuilding a lost habitat type Dr Tony Whitbread From bank to bank: crossing the River Ouse in (pre)history John Bleach Making the most of memory: the Ouse Valley Oral History Project Dr Alistair Thomson Fee (includes tea/coffee) £30, student rate £10, concession £5. Optional pre-booked lunch £7.50. To book tel: 01273 877888 or email: cce@sussex.ac.uk or download an enrolment form from www.sussex.ac.uk/cce/news/ouse. Autumn 2004 7 21 April ’05 The Edwardian Eye of Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles (early photo journalist) Richard Pitcairn-Knowles British Archaeological Association The Association welcomes visitors who wish to attend occasional meetings. Meetings are on Wednesdays at 5pm in the rooms of the Society of Antiquaries, Burlington House, Piccadilly. It is requested that non-BAA members make themselves known to the Hon.Director and sign the Visitor’s Book. Programme of Meetings: 3 November Romanesque England and Western France: a traffic in small things John McNeil 1 December Books, religion and Latin literacy in medieval English nunneries Dr Anne Lawrence 5 January ‘05 Lord Leicester’s remodelling of Kenilworth Castle for Elizabeth I Dr Richard K Morris 2 February ‘05 The façade of the great church from the 4th to the 12th centuries Barrie Singleton 2 March ‘05 The Hotel Saint- Pol, Paris, main residence of the Valois kings 1364-1422 Mary Whiteley 6 April ‘05 Who, where, what and why? Trondheim Cathedral and its decoration in the 12th century James F King 4 May ‘05 Architecture and patronage at Croxden Abbey Dr Jackie Hall Council for British Archaeology South-East in association with the Centre for Continuing Education, University of Sussex. The Cinque Ports: Archaeology and Heritage on Saturday 13 November . LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSES AND EVENTS AND LETTERSTO THE EDITOR LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS AND LETTERSTO THE EDITOR LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS AND LETTERSTO THE EDITOR LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSESAND EVENTS AND LETTERSTO THE EDITOR LECTURES, CONFERENCES, COURSES AND EVENTS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EVENTS ELSEWHERE for research pre-1700. We know that several Culmers were ship owners and mariners and held lands in several areas of Kent. In our research we have of course examined parish records, wills, hearth taxes etc, and several forays have been made to the CCA and CKS. An undated newspaper article in my possession records a lecture at Broadstairs quite some time ago by a Dr Hugh Raven, in which he proposed that among the lands held by the Culmer family in Thanet there was a wooded hill above the sea (long since totally logged for their boat building) and that this ‘Collis Maris’ was the origin of the name Culmar and hence Culmer. Would there, for instance, have been any archaeology of the late medieval pier and Culmer boat building yards on what is now the beach at Broadstairs? We would be grateful for any advice and guidance that KA S members may be able to give us in our research. Alan Johnson Essex Responses to Mr Johnson’s enquiry can be mailed to Aajohnsonx@aol.com or posted to the Newsletter editor at the usual address. Dear Editor An internet search for any mention of Richard Culmer, who allegedly built the pier at Broadstairs and built boats there in the 15th century, led me to your Newsletter article last year on Archbishop Laud and the complaint of Richard (Blue Dick) Culmer. I am one of several descendants of Blue Dick’s cousin George (not yet 100% proven) spread around the world, who are researching the origins of the Culmer family of Thanet and I wondered whether any of your members could suggest sources LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AUTUMN 2004 Autumn 2004 8 NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD A HISTORY OF LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES MEMBERSHIPMATTERS You and Your Society KAS CONTACTS Hon. Gen. Secretary Andrew Moffat, Three Elms, Woodlands Lane, Shorne, Gravesend DA12 3HH Email: secretary@ke n t a r c h a e o l o g y. o r g . u k H o n . Tr e a s u r e r Robin Thomas, 1 Abchurch Yard, Abchurch Lane, London EC4N 7BA Email: treasurer@ke n t a r c h a e o l o g y. o r g . u k Please remember to let me know about any changes of address to ensure that you receive your copies of the Newsletter and Archaeologia Cantiana. There has been a problem this year with banks not processing the first payment when instructed, which is why I have written to many of you who pay by Banker’s Order. I am not sure what is going wrong with the banking system as a few of them are paying annual subscriptions monthly! Please check your bank statements and contact me if you are experiencing any problems. Those of you who pay by cheque will receive a letter and request for the renewal of your subscription for 2005 sometime in December. Please reply as soon as possible so that I can update my records. I am pleased to welcome the following new members: AFFILIATED SOCIETIES Stelling Minnis & Upper Hardres Historical Society, C/o Church Lane Cottage, Harvest Lane, Stelling Minnis, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6AX JOINT MEMBERS Vigne, Mr & Mrs R, 23 Admiralty Mews, Walmer, Deal, Kent, CT14 7AZ ORDINARY MEMBERS Benn, Mrs J M, 27 Nardoo Crescent, O’Connor, Canberra, ACT 2602, Australia Bowler, Miss P, 33 Westfields, Pluckley, Ashford, Kent, TN27 0PW Cooksey, Mr A, 82 Brattlewood, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1QT Diack, Mr M, Canterbury Achaeological Trust, 92A Broad Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2LU Houliston, Mr M C C, 36 Martyr’s Field Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3PX Leaf, Ms H, 6 Muddy Lane Cottages, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4LU. Levy, Mr M, 4 Lammas Gate, Abbey Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7ND Phillpott, Mr M, 50 Cross Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9HW Robinson, Mr K R, 19 Frognal Lane, Teynham, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 9DE Sutherland, Mrs L S, 24 Greenoak Rise, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent, TN16 3RL The address for all correspondence relating to membership is: Mrs Shiela Broomfield, KAS Membership, 8 Woodview Crescent, Hildenborough, Tonbridge TN11 9HD. tel: 01732 838698 email: membership@kentarchaeology.org.uk or s.broomfield@dial.pipex.com With the approach of the Society’s 150th anniversary in 2007, the Trustees of the Allen Grove Local History Fund are considering commissioning a history of local archaeological, antiquarian and history Societies in Kent up to 1914. The Trustees will welcome any views on the merits of this proposal and how it should be approached. A person or organisation will be needed to carry out the research and write the text. The Trustees are looking for a volunteer or suggestions of someone suitable who may be able to undertake this. The Fund will pay the out of pocket expenses involved in the research and arrange publication. The detailed arrangements will be negotiated with the person chosen to undertake the work. Anyone interested in undertaking the work, or who wishes to make any suggestions, is invited to write to the Hon. Secretary, Mr A.I. Moffat at Three Elms, Woodlands Lane, Shorne, Gravesend, DA 1 2 3HH or email him at the address below. Autumn 2004 9 NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD NOTICE BOARD KAS COMMITTEE ROUND-UP You and Your Society Members of the Education Committee have been busy. Material relating to Kent Ti t h e Maps has been added to the Society’s research website, with more to follow. Canterbury Archaeological Trust is in partnership with Christ Church University College on a new IT project for Kent schools and young members of North Downs YAC have been out and about including making a visit to Wye led by the Committee’s chairman, local resident Ian Coulson. A number of other educational projects are on-going or in the process of discussion, including planning for a new Archaeology Resource Centre for Kent. The Committee agreed a proposal of £5000 towards CAT’s current education work and £300 was granted towards the activities of North Downs YA C. The Education Committee was represented at the Society’s History & Archaeology Show at Maidstone Museum in June, where visitors enjoyed hearing about recent involvement with Maidstone’s school children and other educational work supported by the Society. Marion Green (Sec) Archaeological Assistance for Detectorists Plans are in progress to form a county-wide archaeological advisory service for detectorists. It is proposed that the county be divided into areas, with each area having a designated person(s) to advise detectorists, each advisor issuing a contact phone number. Excavation Ringlemere; leading from a survey of this site, at least 10 ringditch barrows are within the close vicinity of the gold cup find-spot. This year’s season of excavation, led by Keith Parfitt of Canterbury Archaeological Trust, began on Saturday 31 July. Littles Manor Fa rm, Sheldwich; further to detectorist work at this site, trial trenching and a resistivity survey have been u n d e r t a ken. Roman tile, 2nd century pottery and painted plaster were recovered. A site at Thurnham; leading from detectorist finds from a possible high status grave(s), Andrew Richardson has carried out an excavation at the site. Further details appear on pages 14 & 15 of the newsletter. Abbey Farm, Minster; for this season (the eighth), Building 6 and a late Roman feature at the centre of the complex have been excavated. A resistivity survey carried out by Brian and Carole McNaughton revealed a circular feature, of about 40m diameter, at the north end of the field. Results of the trial trench across this feature appear on page 2. The resistivity survey of the whole field is now complete. David Bacchus Day Conference on 17 July Nearly 100 people came to the Free Church at Staplehurst to listen to Dr David Parsons, Director of the Institute for Name-Studies, University of Nottingham, and Dr Paul Cullen, also from the Institute, and the Committee’s Academic Advisor, give four lectures on place-names. Using 8 examples, Dr Parsons illustrated the various languages and combinations of languages from which our place-names derive, including one or two definite unknowns. He pointed out how sparse are the texts in the earlier languages, so that probable forms marked with * and ** abound, being as solidly valid as the state of the material can reach. Dr Cullen had recently been filmed for ITV Meridian. He was indignant at his billing as the nerd who needed to discover a life apart from place-names, but he had splendid slides of wet places and hilly places to illustrate his talk. He mentioned nailbournes, streams which flow intermittently, and their alternative name of Water of Woe, an ayl-bourne. He talked of Woden and the heavens opened, thunder roared, lightning cracked and the computer faltered – but happily recovered. We had over half an inch of rain. Those who had left their lunches in the station car park decided that biscuits were filling enough. After lunch Dr Parsons, using ‘staple’ as his example (nice touch), showed how the EPNS gathers early examples of each place-name to tease out its meaning from the spelling. He talked of soon-to-bep u t-in-place opportunities for Digital Place-names and Distance Learning, and of the ‘Key to English Place Names’ at www. n o t t i n gh a m . a c . u k / e n g l i s h / i n s / e p n t e s t / i n t r o .html. Soon, when a full licence has been negotiated, the latter will cover England: with one licence o n l y, it shows Nottinghamshire. From the autumn he intends Kent to replace Nottingham as the active exemplar. The final talk by Dr Cullen was on Staplehurst via places round about. He spoke of Anglo-Saxon nicknames such as *Ot and *Bidda, whose owners probably founded Otford and Biddenden, and more enthusiastically of the Slay Brook, NW of Saltwood, where they had spent Friday looking for clary or slary (wild sage), and found none. Better botanists might though, as its distribution map shows it close b y. He ended up with staples, emphatically not markets but pillars or poles, erected at boundaries or fords. One illustration showed an Anglo-Saxon carved stone. Staplehurst’s, which marked the Marden/Cranbrook hundred boundary where it crossed the Roman road, would have been a workaday wooden post. Pat Harlow, who acted as Chairman, thanked the speakers, the Church, the washers-up and the audience. It was a very enjoyable day. Anita Thompson EDUCATION COMMITTEE FIELDWORK COMMITTEE PLACE NAMES COMMITTEE came across it alive and then killed it, as they would have needed the meat to be fresh. Sharp and heavy wooden spears were used by the people of this period – an elephant skeleton at Lehringen, Germany, had the remains of a 7 foot yew spear between its ribs. Other evidence from the site has provided a clear picture of the past environment and climate. Faunal remains and pollen indicate that the elephant met its end by a lake surrounded by woodland, probably with some open areas due to heavy grazing, in a climate similar to, or warmer than, the present day. Dating of the site has been achieved through examination of excavated vole teeth, since a detailed framework of vole species evolution over the last million years has been constructed. Of the two species found at Ebbsfleet, one has been extinct in England for the last 400,000 years, the other has only been present for the last 500,000 years. This evidence, together with that of the flora and fauna indicative of climate, points to the period of the Hoxnian interglacial, a warm phase for which deposits are also preserved at nearby Swanscombe. The hunters who exploited the elephant were of the same early species of hominid as the famous ‘Swanscombe Man’, whose skull parts were found over 50 years ago. Their brain size was about 75% of ours, but they were probably not fundamentally different in their intellectual capabilities, and they walked fully upright. They must have at least possessed the necessary strategies to have effected the kill and butchery of an animal which stood up to twice the height of a man and weighed 3 or 4 times as much as a car. Information taken from www.oxfor - Autumn 2004 darch.co.uk/pages/ctrlele_feature.html 10 contact with bone whilst cutting meat off the carcass. Speculation surrounds the question of whether the elephant was deliberately driven into the boggy ground, or whether it became trapped on its own; either way it appears that a band of early hominid hunters ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET xcavation in April in advance of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link revealed an undisturbed Lower Palaeolithic landsurface in the Ebbsfleet Valley near Swanscombe. Francis Wenban-Smith, specialist advisor to Oxford Archaeology on the Pa l a e o l i t h i c , spotted the site’s potential whilst carrying out routine monitoring. I n i t i a l l y, follow-up investigations revealed only a few artefacts and no faunal remains; however, as excavation progressed, near what was once the edge of a small lake, part of an extinct form of straighttusked elephant preserved in the boggy sediment was revealed. Beside the skeleton the archaeologists found a concentration of flint tools, lying undisturbed where they were discarded around 400,000 years ago. The finds have excited archaeologists, in part because this is the most complete elephant skeleton in Britain to date, only four others being known – two in the Lower Thames, one at Upnor, Kent and another at Aveley, Essex. None of these had any associated archaeological evidence, and all were more recent than the Ebbsfleet example. Most fascinating is the evidence for butchery of the animal shown by the flint tools. These were manufactured on the spot, as refitting debitage (waste flakes and chips) and cores were found. Slight damage on some sharp edges probably reflects their coming into- ELEPHANT HUNTERS AT EBBSFLEET Above and below: excavation continues at the Ebbsfleet site searching for more remains of the Straight-Tusked Elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiqus) illustrated in the sketch at the foot of the page. ©QAPhotos/CTRC - produced by the kind permission of Union Railways. hen the news b r o ke that the A r c h b i s h o p s ’ Palace at Charing had been selected to be one of the representatives for the South East in a new Restoration Series on BBC 2, there was great excitement and some apprehension amongst the population. We were given a certain amount of guidance as to how to proceed and a Campaign Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Ty l d e n Reed. The film company Endemol, under contract to BBC2, were contacting local people whom they thought would be suitable to illustrate different aspects of the documentary. My first effort was to totter around the village with a very large basket, the second was to meet inside the palace grounds with ‘Herbie’ Lockyer who has worked for the owners for nigh on 50 years. We finished by inspecting a restored corbel that had fallen from the wall of the Great Hall and was found in a field. It was eventually restored and put to rest in a bread basket and kept under lock and key in ‘Herbie’s shed’ until the day when it can go back on the wall of a restored Great Hall. Financial support was offered from the county and borough councils and local businesses in recognition of the palace’s important place in Kent’s history. Several organisations, both within the county and nationally, publicised the need for support in their newsletters and by word of mouth. Kent County Council gave us room on their stand at the County Show. A group of Charing residents manned a stand at the Cobtree event for the Young Archaeologists. A plane towing a banner was seen flying round the county. The Messenger Group editions supported us week by week, as indeed did other county papers. Local televi- Autumn 2004 11 Palace in Charing.’ After the first euphoria, Tylden Re e d brought us back to earth by saying ‘And now you will have to work twice as hard, you must persuade people to vote again, which is not easy for a second time’. All Charing got to work again, more posters and postcards were printed, up went the plane again over the whole of the county, and one Sunday c.3000 people enjoyed the privilege of entering the courtyard for a closer look. Emails arrived offering support, not only from the county but nationally and countries far and wide. All support in whatever guise has been recorded with appreciation and will be kept with local records. Finals day arrived and a coach to Hampton Court was quickly filled. We arrived about 3 pm. and rehearsed with all the other finalists until 9pm, when we ‘went live’. The public had been sent out at the usual closing time, but I don’t think they went far away because there came a time when the lighting displays on Hampton Court were switched on, as were the lights on the very modern stage. The public had been readmitted and there were people and children everywhere on the grass from the roped off area to the gates. The supporters for every final group had been marshalled into ‘pens’ surrounding the sides of the stage and a TV presenter interviewed the groups. At 9pm Griff Rhys-Jones introduced the programme and the first finalists went up on the stage and were interviewed. Dr J. Litten of The Traditional Building Preservation Trust was sion and radio also joined the team. We were spending our grants on banners, posters, postcards, placards, costumes etc. Information was delivered by an army of volunteers. At the annual Church fete, a procession was organised with volunteer actors from all over the county depicting a visit of Henry VIII and Queen Catherine. At the time the King was a young man and Princess Mary was about 6 years old. The Royal family had been staying in the Palace and came out to mingle with the locals and watch local children dancing. We gained publicity and the Church a great deal more money than they usually achieved. Three film units were there. Then came the day when we went to the Parish Hall to hear the results of the first round. Everyone held their breath until a commentator said ‘and the winner is the Archbishops’ THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOP’S PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOP’S PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE THE ARCHBISHOPS’ PALACE T H E A R C H B I S H O P S ’ PA L A C E , C H A R I N G O N B B C R E S T O R AT I O N 2 Pat Winzar at the Palace gate. © Kentish Express continued on page 12 Autumn 2004 12 NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS NEW BOOKS to be interviewed first but ‘I could interrupt if I wanted to do so’. My official contribution would follow his and I was given 30 seconds. I would be asked what I felt about the Palace and tell the story of the corbel. Two minutes later back came our ‘minder’ to say they were running late and that I would not be asked about the corbel only having 20 seconds. On we went and I was asked the first question and then was nearly thrown because Griff said ‘I would like to hear about the find of the corbel.’ Luckily, I did remember most of it. We didn’t win the final but the interest that the event has caused has put Charing ‘on the map’. Visitors have been coming in their hundreds hoping to see the palace, and local volunteers have been stewarding every Sunday through September so that visitors can get a closer look at the courtyard and Great Hall. What of the future? The Traditional Building Trust is still hoping to find funding for the purchase and restoration of the complex. Once restored the Great Hall will become a most impressive venue for concerts, exhibitions, conferences, receptions, banquets etc., the present farmhouse will be used as administration offices, committee rooms and educational facilities, and the west range will house a much-needed new parish hall with all modern facilities. Once restoration work is completed it is hoped that the complex will be run by a Charing Trust. We will have to continue working hard to help ourselves, but have been heartened by the spontaneous offers of help and support that have been forthcoming and are promised for the future. Pat Winzar The Campaign Committee wish to say ‘thank you’ to all those Kent histo - rians and well-wishers who supported the bid for the Archbishop’s Palace in Charing, the only entry for the southeast in the final. Not only individuals supported us, but important organiza - tions in the county and nationally. Some sent funds and others circulated their membership via Newsletters etc. Numerous letters have been received wishing Charing success. It would be invidious to mention supporters by name but you know who you are and so do we. We can look to the future with hope even though we were not the final winner. Tylden Reed Chairman, Campaign Committee St Michael’s Church, East Peckham: Parish and People by Margaret Lawrence 0 906746 60 4, £15.00 (hardback £17.00), 128 pages, 53 col. illus., 33 b/w. Using sources from every century, the author seeks people of both high and low status whose lives centred around their parish church. How did their beliefs affect their lives, the church building and the community they lived in? The latter part of the book Towards a New Stone Age: aspects of the Neolithic in south-east England edited by Jonathan Cotton and David Field. CBA Research Report 137 £28.00, 1 902771 39 7, 237pp. A series of r e g i o n a l o v e r v i e w s on such subjects as soils, aerial survey and h u m a n r e m a i n s , with cont r i b u t i o n s on specific sites, artefacts and the natural environment. Intended as a summary of recent work and a reminder of the richness and diversity of the record available for study in the south-east. 21 diverse subjects range from an examination of Thanet’s oval barrows by Dave Perkins, to an ethnography of prehistoric flint extraction on the South Downs by Pete Topping to ‘Transmanche: l’entente cordiale or vive la difference’ by Ian Kinnes. presents the building and its contents, with various authorities on the subject providing detail. The children of the redundant school and the Foundlings who made their homes in the parish are also examined. Available by post (pp £1.25) from Barnfield, Church Lane, East Peckham TN12 5JJ. Cheque payable to Margaret Lawrence. Proceeds to Church Conservation for the maintenance of St Michael’s Church. Parish Portraits: Memories of Willington, Otham and Langley collected by Anne Clinch. £8.00. Photographs and reminiscences of 3 parishes to the east of Maidstone, mostly covering the period from 1940 to the late 1960’s. The amassing of a parish archive, on which this book is based, received the support of the Allen Grove Local History Fund. Available by post (pp £2.00) from 3 Milners, Upper Street, Leeds ME17 1GZ. Cheque payable to A.Clinch. N E WB O O K S continued from page 11 Autumn 2004 13 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARSOF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION 30 YEARS OF EVOLUTION B l a i r-Chirac initiative to mark the centenary of the Entente Cordiale. The project involves Kent, the Université du Littoral and universities at Lille. Kent has appointed Steve Willis from the archaeology department at Durham to help take this forward. Anthony Ward says “We are delighted to welcome Steve. He will help develop courses and the research agenda to assist in enhancing understanding of the archaeology of Kent in the context of the near Continent. After all, through much of its history Kent has arguably had more in common with communities across the Narrow Seas than areas north and west of the Thames!” Steve has research interests in Flanders and has spent much time field-working in Picardie, particularly on Iron Age sites. Steve is enthusiastic about his role; “Late prehistory is a period when we can identify a series of Continental contacts which become increasingly manifest, particularly in the later Iron Age and through the Roman era, raising interesting questions for study, such as landscape and settlement development and the importance of coastal trade.” “There is also scope for sharing best practice with colleagues from the near Continent in relation to research, development- funded archaeology, heritage management and presentation and the public participation in archaeology.” Anthony Wa rd confidently predicts that “archaeology at Kent has an exciting future as numbers of staff and students continue to increase. We look forward to collaborating with other archaeologists in the region to advance the practice of the discipline and our understanding of the archaeology of the south-east of England.” More information on archaeological courses at Kent can be obtained from Anthony Ward, Classical and Archaeological Studies, Cornwallis Building, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7N. tel: 01227 823879, a.h.ward@kent.ac.uk rom its beginnings in the 1970’s within the continuing education programme, archaeology at the University of Kent has constantly evolved. By the late 80’s part-time awards were in place, which by the early 90’s had developed into a full programme taking p a r t-time students through from Certificate to Degree. Anthony Ward, senior lecturer in archaeology, points out, “hundreds of students have achieved university awards with us. I think we can say that the University has made a real contribution to archaeological learning in the county in which many members of KAS have participated.” In the late 90’s the University offered archaeology to full-time students and degrees are now offered in both Classical & Archaeological Studies and History & Archaeological Studies, with Archaeology & Anthropology available shortly. There is also archaeological input into the Forensic Science degree and a new Heritage Science degree. Since 1999 ‘full-time equivalent’ archaeology students have risen from 30 to 120. Archaeological staff in Classical and Archaeological Studies have increased from 2 to 6, supported by part-time colleagues. Kent also has 2 lecturers in Biological Anthropology who are archaeologically trained. The teaching and research interests of the full-time Classical and Archaeological Studies staff are wide ranging: Dr Ellen Swift – Late Antique and early Medieval Dr Gabor Thomas – Anglo S a xon and Viking Age studies and landscapes Dr Patty Baker – Classical A r c h a e o l o g y, gender studies and ancient medicine Dr Evanagelos Kyriakidis – Greek and Aegean Bronze Age with particular interests in Minoan iconography and Linear B Dr Steve Willis – Iron Age and Roman, with particular specialism in ceramics and landscapes Dr Anthony Ward – British and European Prehistory and landscapes This summer a major six- w e e k training excavation for students was organised by Gabor Thomas who was research officer with Sussex Archaeological Society before joining Kent in 2003. It took place at Bishopstone in Sussex, where a 9th to 11th century Anglo-Saxon village was investigated in a joint venture between Sussex Archaeological Society and Kent, building on Gabor’s previous work in the area. Results were exciting, including a pre-Conquest cemetery, houses, halls and a tower with a cellar in which was found a collection of iron tools. It is anticipated that fieldw o r k-training opportunities will be offered in Kent in 2005 and subsequent years. Classical and Archaeological Studies is now broadening its horizons. The appointment of Evanagelos Kyriakidis this summer takes it firmly into the archaeology of the East Mediterranean. Closer to home, in future it will participate in the University of the Transmanche, initially setting up a MA in the ‘Archaeology of the Transmanche’ focussed on later prehistory and the first millennium AD. Modules from this programme will be available as part of the programme of the new trans-frontier university, a New appointment, Dr Steve Willis Excavation at Bishopstone. A N ANGLO-SAXON SI Autumn 2004 14 ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM n March 1967 a gold pendant cross was discovered by Mr P. Beer whilst harrowing a field near the village of Thurnham ( Kelly 1967). The cross, which was inlaid with garnets, dated to the mid-7th century AD, and would probably have formed the central ornament of an elaborate necklace belonging to an Anglo-Saxo n lady of considerable status. Clearly the finding of such a piece suggested that an Anglo- S a xon burial might be present; the site was listed as an isolated find that might be indicative of a burial in the author’s thesis on A n g l o - S a xon cemeteries in Ke n t (Richardson 2000). However, between 1967 and 2003 no further finds of Anglo-Saxon date were recorded from this site, although it is of course possible that unreported finds were made during this period. On 9th August 2003, however, Nigel Betts, John Darvill, Brian Pe t i t and Keith Stafford, all members of the Mid-Kent Metal Detector Club, decided to carry out a metal detector search of the field, having obtained permission to do so from the landowne r. During this search Nigel recovered an oval gold pendant set with a piece of polychrome mosaic glass (fig 1), and Ke i t h found a gold biconical spacer bead (fig 2). In the following days a second glass-inlaid gold pendant, this example being p e a r-shaped, was found by Nigel (fig 3), and three sections of an elaborate copper alloy chatelaine complex were found by John and Brian (fig 4). Realising the potential significance of their discovery, the finders quickly contacted the Kent Finds Liaison Officer, who met them on site a few days l a t e r. Findspots were plotted using a handheld GPS reciever, and it was established that the finds were scattered across an area of approximately 20m by 5m. This scatter of finds lay not far from the recorded findspot of the cross pendant found in 1967. All were of a comparable date to the cross, and the pendants and spacer bead were exactly the type of objects that would be expected to form the necklace of which the cross would have formed the centrepiece. It thus seemed likely that the contents of a single high status female burial had been disturbed by ploughing. The pendants, bead and chatelaine fittings were all declared Treasure at an inquest held by Roger Sykes, the Coroner for Mid-Kent on Friday 11th June 2004, where it was held that the balance of probability was that all these items were derived from a single burial. Given the importance of these finds, it was decided to carry out an excavation at the site. The aims of this were as follows: to provide a context for the recovered finds and to confirm the presence of a burial or burials at the site; to recover any other finds from the same context or burial; to gain information on the probable size and extent of the site; to establish the level of disturbance and damage to which the site has been subjecte d ; to mitigate the potential threat of the site being looted when the finds become public k n o w l e d g e ; and to meet the threat of damage to the context of the recovered finds through the process of on-going ploughing. Having obtained a Home Office licence for the removal of any human remains and the permission of the landowner, this e xcavation took place between Sunday 15th and Friday 20th August 2004. The author led a team including volunteers from the Portable Antiquities Scheme, Kent County Council, Kent Archaeological Society, University of Kent at Canterbury, Maidstone Area Archaeological Group and Otford Archaeological Group, among others. The finders also helped, Nigel Betts in particular spending virtually the whole week on site. Mr Mark Yates kindly assisted with a geophysical survey and by plotting the site grid using GPS on the first day of fieldwork. The difficulty presented by this site was that the finds were widely scattered, with no obvious point of origin. Thus a series of 25 trenches were dug (the majority by hand) across the area of the scatter in an effort to locate a grave or graves. For most of the week, no significant finds were recovered, although tantalisingly small fragments of clearly ancient and possibly human bone were recovered from a Fig. 4 N SITE AT T H U R N H A M Autumn 2004 15 ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM ANGLO-SAXON SITE AT THURNHAM number of trenches. These included a very worn human tooth from Trench 15 found by Helen Jarvis. Finally, late on Thursday afternoon, Michael Lewis, former Kent Finds Liaison Officer and now Deputy Head of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, located some bones in the end of Trench 16. E xcavation the following day revealed a single very badly damaged inhumation, aligned w e s t-east. No grave cut was identified; the body had in fact simply been laid on the chalk bedrock. Neither was there any trace of a ring ditch, but some of the chalk surfaces in the immediate vicinity of the body showed possible signs of weathering, prompting speculation that the grave had been covered by a barrow mound formed by scraping topsoil from the surrounding area. No grave goods survived with the body, although two iron nails from beyond the feet might be evidence of a coffin. Opinion amongst the exc avation team remains divided as to whether this slight, shallow burial is the one from which such exquisite jewellery was derived. However, no trace of any other burials were found, and the widely scattered grave goods imply a badly damaged grave. A major question remains ‘were any unreported finds made between 1967 and 2003?’ Furthermore, the whereabouts of the first find, the gold cross, is currently unknown. The author would be very interested to hear from any readers with any information on either matter. Andrew Richardson Kent Finds Liaison Officer Re f e r e n c e s : Kelly DB 1967 T h u r n h a m . Archaeologia Cantiana 82, 297-8. Richardson AF 2000 T h e A n g l o - S a xon Cemeteries of Ke n t . Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Wales, Cardiff. Fig. 1 Fig. 2 Fig. 3 NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY DAYS AROUND KENT Autumn 2004 16 ment group Re g i a Anglorum arrived en masse and set up a living history encampment, whilst YAC supplied entertainment too; Saxon charms from the leechcraft stall, Saxon food and many creative children’s activities. An exhibition of 12 local history and archaeology groups, as well as county services such as the Centre for Kentish Studies, provided visitors with information about ways they could participate in exploring the past. In Bromley, Poverest Road Roman Bath House was open for a ‘hands-on’ family fun day. Adrian Green, Curator of Bromley Museum, sees National Archaeology Days as “a very useful opportunity to open the Bath House, which takes booked tours but is not generally open to the public. This is a fantastic chance to show local residents, and those from further afield, the archaeology of the area.” BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE BACK PAGE PEOPLE ational Archaeology Days take place in July, and are increasingly popular with each passing year. The event, coordinated by the Council for British Archaeology and its Young Archaeologist Clubs, and supported by English Heritage, aims to inform and enthuse the public about their local heritage and to give them access to information which can be used to further their interest. Sites, museums, archaeology units and amateur groups take part, with a wide variation in the type of events. This year saw over 250 venues taking part around Britain, with 8 in Kent. We hear from just some of those in our county… Director of Dartford District Archaeological Group, Chris Baker, said “It’s been very helpful that for the last few years the Dartford Festival dates have coincided with National Archaeology Days. This has allowed us to set up a small excavation, ‘Digging up the Park’, within Central Park in Dartford, as part of the Festival. And we’ve had some great finds – so much so that the public have accused us of planting them the night before! The medieval and Roman pottery that’s come out of the ground has been recognised by some visitors as similar to that dug up in their gardens; we talk to them about the archaeology and they have the opportunity to find out more by getting involved in the Dartford District Archaeological Group.” North Downs Young Archaeologists’ (YAC) event ‘Life and Death in Saxon Kent’ was held in the Museum of Kent Life at Sandling. TV archaeologist Julian Richards appeared and proved a great draw, despite a wet morning and the Kent County Show only a couple of miles up the road. Julian brought bones and a reconstructed face made for ‘Meet the Ancestors’, and spent the day giving talks on these and on the role of archaeology in the media. Re-enact- EDITOR : LYN PALMER 55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QU Telephone: 01892 533661 Mobile: 07810 340831 Email evelyn.palmer@virgin.net or newsletter@kentarchaeology.org.uk Orpington and District Archaeological Society’s displays attracted much interest from older visitors, whilst children enjoyed a mock excavation set up for the day. Extra activities were laid on at Crofton Roman Villa, Orpington, as children entered a competition to draw and label artefacts, each receiving a certificate. Visitors were fascinated by a display of finds and archival material from 3 local Roman sites, previously unseen. Director Brian Philp enthused “This was another brilliant event and very well supported – children and adults alike enjoyed themselves.” National Archaeology Days are an e xcellent way of promoting local archaeology to local people. If you would like to hold an event in 2005 get in touch with Jan Cox at the CBA, St Mary’s House, 66 Bootham, York YO30 7BZ, 01904 671417 or JanCox@britarch.ac.uk Copy deadline for the next issue in January is Wednesday December 1st. The editor wishes to draw attention to the fact that neither she nor the Council of the KAS are answerable for opinions which contributors may express in their signed articles; each author is alone responsible for the contents and substance of their work. Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, The Museum, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME 14 1LH www.kentarchaeology.org.uk Julian Richards examining young visitors’ finds at the Museum of Kent Life. Part of the Dartford exhibition. Enjoying digging at the Poverest Road Roman Bath House.