KAS Newsletter, Issue 73, Summer 2007

nneeww ss ll ee tt tt ee rr Issue number 73 Summer 2007 www.kentarchaeology.org.uk K A S S E S Q U I C E N T E N A R Y Inside 2-3 Pepperhill Finds 4-5 1st One Day Conf. Acrise Slave Kent from Bronze Age KASCelebrations 6-7 What’s On 8-9 Notice Board 10-11 CBALondon Group DVD 12-13 Addington Barrow 14-15 KASExhibition 16 Allington Castle AFTERLIFE PROVISIONS ON THE A2 1857 2007 BEER, BOAR AND BO ARD G AME K E N T A R C H A E O L O G I C A L S O C I E T Y Over the last 9 months Oxford Archaeology has been excavating along the new route for Skanska UK Construction Ltd, who are building the road for the Highways Agency. The route crosses two chalk plateaux divided by a dry valley at Tollgate, with another valley at Downs Road to the west, and lies alongside the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), along which excavation had revealed settlements of various periods that were likely to continue into the route. The approach to the archaeology agreed was therefore to strip as much as possible of the whole of the offline route in one go, providing a transect nearly 3 km long and 50 m or more wide across the landscape of North-West Kent. This showed that the density of archaeological features was even greater, and more continuous, A R C H A E O L O G I C A L D I S C O V E R I E S ON THE A 2 P E P P E R H I L L T O C O B H A M W I D E N I N G S C H E M E 121 111 which the pots had sat. To our surprise another burial enclosure lay just outside the main enclosure, and this contained another 7 or more burials, one of which was almost as rich as the first (front page photo). The square grave contained 15 pots including a decorated Samian bowl, a bronze patera and ewer, the bronze hinges and fittings for a folding table or board, a copper-bound box containing toilet instruments and a slate cosmetic mixing palette, a brooch and a curious bossed copper plate. A second cremation, sufficiently well-preserved to suggest it was that of a woman, was enclosed in a rectangular box marked by nails and copper alloy fittings, and was accompanied groups in early Roman Britain (figs 1 & 2). The cremated bones lay on the pit floor, and adjacent were the bronze handles of a gaming board and 23 glass counters, dark blue and white, while on the other side was a large brooch and half a pig. There were 3 bronze vessels, a large cauldron with a handle for suspension (fig 4), a ewer or jug and a patera (pan) used for libations. Arranged around these were 18 pots, including flagons for wine, a butt-beaker for beer, cups, a jar or two and many dishes. Thirteen of the dishes and small jars lay at one level halfway up the grave, and below them in two lines were rows of decorative bronze roundels with central tacks and rectangular strips of decorated sheet bronze, suggesting that these had decorated the front of a table or stool on than predicted from the CTRL results, and over the 9 months of excavation settlements ranging from the Bronze Age to the late medieval period have been found, as well as tools from earlier hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farmers. This article concentrates on the later prehistoric and Roman burials, which represent some of the most significant archaeological discoveries. During the Iron Age a cluster of enclosures developed west of Tollgate, forming a nucleated settlement 500m long. Houses were scarce, but there were plenty of square four-post buildings and storage pits; one surprise was a cobbled trackway 6-8m wide crossing the site, a rare instance of road construction before the Roman period. The settlement also included both inhumation and cremation burials in pits. Two of the cremation burials, both found in the entrance to an enclosure, were of people of high status, as one contained four pots and four copper brooches, two joined by a chain, possibly in an iron-studded box, the other two pots and a bronze-bound bucket with decorated plaques, plus a high tin-bronze cylinder probably from a drinking horn. Beyond this settlement to the west a very large boundary ditch was dug along the edge of the plateau at Downs Road, perhaps laying a stronger claim to territory. Fields ran from this boundary down the valley side. Inhumation burials were placed both at the end and adjacent to a shaft in the base of the ditch within the Iron Age, a practice that continued into the Roman period, when a small cemetery grew alongside. Most of the Roman dead were buried in coffins, and several wore hobnailed boots. They can be dated to 50-250 AD. The proximity of this small rural cemetery to the larger burial ground at Pepperhill just east of Springhead, where the rite was mixed cremations and inhumations, provides an interesting contrast. The Iron Age settlement went out of use soon after the Roman conquest, possibly when a new rectangular enclosure (fig 3) was established overlooking the Tollgate dry valley and the new Roman road Watling Street. The south edge of the enclosure had lain within the CTRL, and had contained domestic and agricultural features; the line of the A2 crossed the north end, which contained the burials for the settlement. The main enclosure was divided north-south, and in the exposed eastern half the only internal feature was a 2m square pit containing a cremation accompanied by one of the largest grave LEFT : Artist’s reconstruction (2) of the grave group shown above from the side view (1). RIGHT: Detail of a bronze vineleaf on the cauldron in the grave group shown on page 2. CONTINUEDON PAGE 4 141 131 The first of two conferences celebrating developments, in the last 50 years, in the knowledge of the history and archaeology of Kent, was held at the Medway Campus of the University of Kent. This was a joint event with the University and we are most grateful to Dr Anthony Ward and Dr Steve Willis for making the event possible. A group of about 70 members were treated to no fewer than eight p resentations by some of our most distinguished historians and archaeologists. So far as our more ancient history was concerned, Steve Willis gave a masterly overview of the current state of our knowledge of Roman Villas in the county. Brian Philp gave a most interesting account of his work on the Classis Britannica fort and the Painted House in Dover. He preceded this account with some thought-provoking comments on the part now ‘Library Notes’ in Newsletter 72 referred to the indexing project now being undertaken on the Faussett notebooks. More details can be found on the kentarchaeology.org website. To show that this task is not merely a tedious listing of names, occasionally a gem does come to light. An example is this inscription found by Faussett in the churchyard at Acrise around 1757:- ‘Here lieth Nathaniel Johnson, of African extraction, born in Maryland, sent young to the proprietor Saml Hyde Esq……… (diedof)…Consumption 28th January 1755’. This inscription was made ‘on a wooden rail’ and Faussett’s visit was clearly timely in that the rail cannot have survived for long afterwards. Research has shown, in brief, that the Hydes were London merchants who held a 9,000 acre tobacco plantation located roughly where the City of Washington DC now stands. Some 120 negroes ‘with their progeny’ were employed there. Samuel Hyde controlled a small fleet of ships operating between Maryland/Virginia and London. He also acted as go-between in converting the proceeds of a Maryland tobacco tax into guns and ammunition for use against ‘the Indians’ – some of which seems instead to have been converted to Samuel’s own use. When he died in 1748 his property passed to his daughter, who had married a member of the family of the Earls of Somerset, and who continued to live in Knoyle House, Wiltshire, until her own death in January 1754. In her will she bequeathed a small annuity ‘to my black boy Nathaniel Johnson’. Shortly afterwards Nathaniel was moved to Acrise Court, home of the Papillon family: David Papillon (MP) and Samuel Hyde had married two sisters. Brian Cousins played by professional archaeological units from outside the county, bemoaning their lack of local knowledge of our county’s heritage. Jon Iveson, also talking about Dover, brought us into the 19th century with a detailed review of the Napoleonic defences (how many of us realised that the main defences pointed inland?). Helen Glass covered the widest area and the longest time period with her account of work preceding the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Then there were most interesting contributions on more recent historical periods from Andrew Hann, Steven Hipkin and Michael Zell. Finally, our own Jim Gibson relayed the results of his own researches on drama in the county in Medieval times. Those attending the Conference agreed that it had been a really good day. If the second Conference, on September 15th, is half as good, it will be a day not to be missed. Book up soon! FIRST ONE DAY CONFERENCE A FREED SLAVE IN ACRISE 1755 by a glass unguent bottle, a complete mirror, a knife with organic handle, a brooch, several copper rings and five pots, mostly Gallic imports. These burials appear to date between 50 and 80 AD. The burial ground continued in use into the 2nd century, when two further cre m a t i o n s including several vessels, one within a jar and sealed by a Samian dish, were made. Interestingly this latter grave had been backfilled almost to the top of the jar before two other small pots, one a flagon, were added. A considerable gap may then have elapsed before the cemetery was used for inhumations, as one of these, buried in a coffin with three pots at the waist and a pair of patterned hobnailed boots laid upside down at the feet, had a mid-3rd century coin to pay the ferryman in his/her mouth. This inhumation was directly in line with the main early Roman cremation burials, suggesting that they had been marked, possibly by additional pots that were found above the graves after machine stripping. The recent excavations have provided a variety of burial groups of the Iron Age and Roman periods, which together with the known cemeteries at Springhead constitute a particularly rich resource for study. The Early Roman burials have transformed our view of the status of the Roman enclosure at Tollgate, which in the 1st century AD contained the graves of an important group of wealthy individuals, possibly members of a single family. The presence of high status Late Iron Age burials on the adjacent settlement, one which was abandoned at much the same time that the Roman enclosure was constructed, suggests the possibility of the emergence of a local aristocratic family anxious to adopt Roman ways after the conquest. Tim Allen CONTINUEDFROM PAGE 3 It is proposed to hold a Study Morning in the KAS Library from 10am to 1pm on Saturday 27th October 2007 at which Officers and experienced members of the KAS will give presentations designed to familiarise new members with the organisation, activities and resources of the Society. Talks will include a short history of the Society and its present administrative set-up; activities of the various committees and groups; resources of the Library, including the Societies websites; artefacts and finds, documentary, manuscript and visual record collections owned by the Society. New and recently joined Members wishing to attend this meeting should apply to D r. Frank Panton, tel: 01795 472218, email dr. f h . p a n t o n @ g ro v e - e n d - tunstall.fsnet.co.uk. INTRODUCTION TO KAS ORGANISATION, ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES A study morning for new and recently joined members Early Anglo-Saxon Canterbury Paul Bennett Parking is available and there is a bus service from Canterbury bus station to the campus. The lecture theatre is accessible by wheelchair. Tea and coffee will be provided during morning and afternoon breaks but lunch is not included. There are excellent picnic spots (including indoors, if wet) for those bringing a packed lunch. Details of alternative lunch facilities will be given with the booking acknowledgement. Cost £10 per person. Cheques in advance please, payable to the Kent Archaeological Society, together with an s.a.e. Send to Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh, 11 Caledon Terrace, Canterbury CT1 3JS. A booking form is enclosed in this Newsletter. It would be helpful if bookings could be made before 31 August. The second One-Day conference will be held in lecture theatre Grimond 2 on the Canterbury Campus of the University of Kent (not at Medway as in the previous Newsletter). The day will start at 9.30am and finish at 5.30pm with a lunch break from 1.00-2.00pm Programme: Ringlemere Keith Parfitt Iron Age Thanet Emma Boast The KAS Excavation of the Abbey Farm Roman Villa Steve Clifton The Anglo-Saxon Jewellery of Kent Andrew Richardson Medieval Sandwich Sarah Pearson Resistance and Rebellion in Medieval Kent A n d re w Butcher Fishing and Fishermen in Medieval Kent S h e i l a Sweetinburgh In Volume I of Archaeologia Cantiana, there is an account of the first Annual Meeting of the Society, held in Canterbury on 30th July 1858. After the account of the meeting itself, it is recorded that:- ‘At half past four the Dinner took place in the Music Hall, St Margaret’s; three hundred and ten were accommo - dated at the tables; above one hundred were disappointed of seats, owing to their not having given timely notice of their intentions to dine’. (It is not made clear whether the ‘above one hundred’ did not dine at all or whether they had to eat standing!). Well, on September 15th 2007, we will be returning to Canterbury to celebrate our 150th Anniversary. With thanks to the master, we will dine at Darwin College on the Campus of the University of Kent. This time, there will only be space to ‘accommodate at the tables’ a maximum of 150. So, if you wish to avoid being ‘disappointed of a seat’, please return the form enclosed with this Newsletter with your cheque (payable to KAS) to the President as soon as possible. Places will be allocated strictly on a first to arrive in the post, first served, basis. For your money you will get drinks at a pre-dinner reception, a three course meal, coffee, mints etc and drinks with the meal. The drinks with the meal will include wines from various Kent vineyards. These are being donated by a member of the Society. At the conclusion of the meal, the first ‘Hasted Prize’ will be presented (by the biographer of Hasted, Shirley Burgoyne Black). Since the Dinner will follow the One Day Conference, it will be jacket and tie, rather than black tie. KENT FROM THE BRONZE AGE TO THE REFORMATION A study conference sponsored jointly by the Kent Archaeological Society and the University of Kent Saturday 15 September, 2007 KAS SESQUICENTENNIAL DINNER KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE VISIT Saturday 22 September The Churches Committee invite you to visit the two east Kent churches of Bekesbourne and Patrixbourne. We meet at Bekesbourne Church at 1.45 for 2pm and at about 3pm at Patrixbourne, where tea and biscuits will be served. Tour £2 (students £1). Tea and biscuits £1 extra. Cheques in advance payable to the Kent Archaeological Society please. A booking form for these visits is included in the Newsletter. It would be helpful if your booking was made by Saturday 15 September. CHURCHES COMMITTEE STUDY SESSION Saturday 3 November The Village Hall, East Peckham A Study Session is being held entitled ‘A Parish Pump Revolution.’ The talk, illustrations and role-playing given, or guided by, Dr Andrew Foster of the University of Chichester deal with the local impact of the Reformation and promises to be a novel and lively appraisal of how great issues affected communities. We meet at 1.45 for 2pm at the Village Hall, where there is ample parking. The charge is £6 per person (including tea and biscuits) and early booking is suggested because numbers are limited. Cheques payable to KAS should be sent to Philip Lawrence at Barnfield, Church Lane, East Peckham, Tonbridge TN12 5JJ by 10 October. A booking form is included in this Newsletter. The following local pubs serve meals – The Bush, Blackbird and Thrush; The Man of Kent; The Bell; The Harp. KAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE HISTORIC BUILDINGS CONFERENCE Saturday 20 October Lenham Community Centre Illustrated talks: Hip to Hearth: an Examination of the Complexities of Buildings Archaeology; Andrew Linklater (Canterbury Archaeological Trust) The Window of Time: Dating by Detail; Charles Brooking (creator of the Brooking Collection of architectural features) Tracing the History of Buildings at the Centre for Kentish Studies. Elizabeth Finn (Centre for Kentish Studies) Followed by a short introduction to Kentish barns and a visit to Lenham Barn. The day starts at 9.30am for 10am and finishes at 4pm. Tickets are £8 each. A buffet lunch is available at a cost of £5 per person. A booking form (to be returned by 6 October please) is included in this Newsletter. COURT LODGE BARN, Brook (near Ashford) ‘Queen of Kentish Barns’ Saturday 1 September at 2.30 pm A talk for KAS members Talk about crownpost buildings and tour by Alan Stevens, buildings archaeology lecturer, formerly of the University of Kent. The barn has a unique feature and houses the famous Agricultural Museum. Open to up to 20 KAS members. Cost is £2.00 each, plus £1.00 for tea and biscuits. Apply to Dr Tom Hill, tel: 01227 730477; email: ta.hill@tiscali.co.uk. W H AT ’ S ON > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > KAS EVENTS Kent from the Bronze Age to the Reformation KAS One-day Conference Saturday 15 September University of Kent at Canterbury KAS Sesquicentennial Dinner Saturday 15 September University of Kent at Canterbury Details of these two events can be found on page 5. KAS COURSES in the LIBRARY Geoarchaeology With Dr Ed Jarzembowski Wednesdays from 12 September, 2 – 4pm This course follows on from the 10 sessions in the summer, but anyone new will be able to fit in well. By popular request a more in-depth look at geological applications to the past will include: Typical fossils & rocks of the major Kent formations Interpretations of past life & environment Identification, especially bones & shells Soils & clays Flints & flintwork Maps & sections Plus practicals and some local field trips Cost is £50 per person. Kent and England under the Tudors With Dr Jackie Bower Mondays from 17 September, 10.15 -12.15am A twenty-week class on the economy and society of sixteenth century England. Topics will include population, famine and disease, religion and the poor. There will be opportunities to look at photocopied examples of original source material. Cost is £80 per person. Researching Local History With Dr Jackie Bower Mondays from 17 September, 2 – 4pm Four modules of five weeks each, on the skills, techniques and sources for researching local history. Each module will focus on a different aspect of research. There will be practical work using photocopied examples of original source material and opportunities for participants to share and discuss their own research. Cost is £80 per person. Booking forms for these 3 courses are included in this Newsletter. For more details email Joy Sage at joysage@tesco.net or tel: 01622 762924. 31 August – The Geese that Saved Rome Stories at 11am & 2.30pm. Every Wednesday in August Costumes & Horrible Habits through the Ages Find out about costume & horrible habits. Make a collage picture to take home of an historic character. Children must be accompanied at Pop-In Days. No booking needed. Normal admission rates apply. NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY WEEK 14 – 22 July For full details of events in Kent and the rest of the country, log on to www.britarch.ac.uk. CROFTON ROMAN VILLA, ORPINGTON Sunday 15 July 10am – 5pm Guided talk by a site archaeologist at 11am and 2.30pm Children can join in the Roman Villa discovery hunt, win stickers, Villa badges and a certificate. Mosaic making, Roman games, dressing up, brass rubbing and an excavation tray. For 6-11 year olds. Entry £1 per person. Children must be accompanied. No booking needed. Further information on 020 8460 1442 or croftonromanvilla@btinternet. com. MAKING MEDIEVAL! Shorne Wood Country Park Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 July 10.30am – 4.30pm A weekend of medieval living history with craftsmen, archers and cannons. On Saturday only - guided tours to the current excavation of the medieval Randall Manor, lots of activities for children including shield making, creating pomanders, a ‘dig-it’ pit and brass rubbing. Display of local history and archaeology groups in the Visitor Centre. Entry and all activities are free! MAIDSTONE MUSEUM & BENTLIF ART GALLERY Saturday 14 July Portable Antiques Scheme Workshop. Archaeological illustration, children’s activities and finds recording and identification. Suitable for all ages, young and old. Drop in. Free. Time Talk – Stone Age Kent Monday 16 July Talk by Angela Muthana. To celebrate National Archaeology week, come along to our Time Talk lecture on the Stone Age. Time Talk – Roman Artefacts in Britain Wednesday 18 July Talk by Ellen Swift, Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Kent. This talk gives an overview of some recent research on Romano-British artefacts and how it contributes to a wider understanding of Roman Britain. OTHER EVENTS AROUND KENT NAVY CONNECTIONS Saturday 22 September University of Greenwich at Medway (Chatham) One Day Conference organised by the Kent Family History Society (Medway Branch). Programme: 09.45 Registration and Coffee 10.15 Introduction 10.30 The Ordinary and the Extraordinary (civil employees of the navy) Ian Waller 11.30 The Navy Board Project (how to find ancestors buried in miscellaneous correspondence) Susan Lumas FSG 12.30 LUNCH (buffet and refreshments included) 14.00 Royal Navy Ancestors (records of officers and ratings) Paul Blake 15.00 TEA. 15.30 Royal Marines Records (the navy’s soldiers) Lt. Col. C B Edwards 16.30 Conclusion Conference cost is £27.50. For more details and to book please contact Jean Skilling, 15 Port Close, Lordswood, Chatham, Kent ME5 8DU. FRIENDS OF CANTERBURY ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST TALKS Wednesday 19 September Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Canterbury Alison Hicks 7pm at the Dominican Priory, St Peter’s Lane, Canterbury Wednesday 21 November The Kent Archaeological Society - the earlier years Paul Oldham 7pm at Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury. Saturday 26 January 2008 Frank Jenkins Memorial Lecture. Paul Bennett (Director, CAT) 6pm at the Old Sessions House, Canterbury Christ Church University, Longport, Canterbury (Joint lecture with the Canterbury Archaeological Society). Talks are all £2 for Friends of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and £3 for non-members. CBA South East ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AGM ‘UNDER THE PLOUGH; THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE TOPSOIL’ Saturday 10 November Medway Campus of the University of Kent Tickets £15 for CBA SE members, £17.50 non-members. Further details of speakers and booking form are included on the conference flyer in this Newsletter. CROFTON ROMAN VILLA ‘POP-IN’ ACTIVITY DAYS Every Friday in August Ancient Heroes & Legends 3 August - Romulus, Remus & the Wolf 10 August – Hercules Holds up the Sky 17 August – King Midas & his Ass’s Ears 24 August – Pegasus, the Prince & the Monster > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CONTINUEDON PAGE 10 and it is very important that a candidate is nominated before the AGM as the Society cannot operate without a treasurer. If you have suitable experience please give consideration to volunteering for this important post which includes membership of the Council. If you are interested in taking this position or would like more information about it, then please contact Robin Thomas on 0207 680 8100, email abchurchyard1@btinternet.com or the Hon. General S e c re t a ry, Andrew Moffat, on (01474) 822280, email secretary@kentarchaeology.org.uk. The Society will have to elect a new Hon. Treasurer at its AGM next May as Robin Thomas will not seek re-election. Ideally a candidate will be identified well before then so that he or she has a few months of tuition, rather than be thrown in at the deep end. At the moment we do not know of anyone interested in the office MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Thank you to all those of you who have now paid your subscriptions – there are still a few who have not renewed – please remember that if these renewals are not received soon you will not be entitled to your copy of Archaeologia Cantiana. The 2007 volume promises to be a bumper edition in celebration of the KAS’s 150th Anniversary. Thank you for those interesting notes that you write on your renewal forms – they help to cheer me up while processing these in the depths of winter! At the Annual General Meeting in May it was agreed that the subscriptions are to be increased from January 2008 – the first increase since 2000 and still wonderful value compared with several other county societies. The new rates are as follows: Ordinary membership £25; Joint membership £30; Affiliated Societies £25. There is no alteration to those claiming the under 21 rate or the reduced rate if you have been a member for more than 10 years and are over state pension age. If you pay by banker’s order please do not contact your bank – I shall be writing to you in the autumn with a form for you to return to me so that I can manage the changes. If you would like details of life membership please get in touch with a note of your date of birth. Shiela Broomfield The address for all correspondence relating to membership is: Mrs Shiela Broomfield, KAS Membership, 8 Woodview Crescent, Hildenborough, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 9HD. Telephone 01732 838698. Email: membership@kentarchaeology.org.uk or s.broomfield@dial.pipex.com. We are pleased to welcome the following new members: JOINT MEMBERS Richardson, Mr R J, and Mrs, Kennington, Ashford, Kent Saggers, Mr P J, and Mrs, Tonbridge, Kent Wasserberg Mrs R & Gifford Mr S , St Michael’s, Tenterden, Kent JUNIOR MEMBERS Bentley, Miss S, Larkfield, Aylesford, Kent Polczyk, Miss M, Maidstone, Kent Saint, Miss H, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent Saint, Mr T, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent LIFE MEMBERS Williams, Mr D A R, Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent ORDINARY MEMBERS Allen, Miss H J, Chatham, Kent Demuth, Miss P, Hawkinge, Folkestone, Kent Elliott, Mr S, East Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent Kemp, Mr D, BSc(Hons), BDipPD, FRGS, MIHT, Tonbridge, Kent King, Mr N, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent Lambe, Mr P, Chislehurst, Kent Nagler, Mr M J, Walderslade, Chatham, Kent O’Brien, Ms R, Whitstable, Kent Pitts, Mr R A, Ruscombe, Reading, Berkshire Saint, Mrs H, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent Staples, Mr M S, Hextable, Swanley, Kent Y O U A N D Y O U R SOCIETY WE NEED A TREASURER COPY DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSU The visit to Shoreham and Eynsford Castle took place on 7 April 2007. Despite being the Saturday of Easter weekend 38 people booked, requiring two guides for the tour of Shoreham. One group was taken around this delightful village by committee member and organiser of the outing, Joy Saynor. The wealth of information that Joy was able to share, as a local historian, expert on the buildings of Shoreham, and former lecturer on the History of Kent, was much appreciated. The other group was guided by Sally Hofmann, author of a number of publications on wartime Shoreham. In addition to pointing out the buildings of interest, she was able to provide an insight into the affects on the village of the many bombs dropped on it during World War II. There was a great deal to see in this picturesque village, with 32 listed buildings in the High Street and Church Street conservation area alone. The tour ended at the village hall, where a splendid lunch was laid on. Everyone also enjoyed the fascinating exhibition of old photographs of the locality that had been The trustees of the Allen Grove Local History Fund (who are the officers of the Society) recently awarded the following grants: Brenchley & Matfield Local History Society: £250 t o w a rds producing a book of old photographs by William Hodges and present day corresponding views. Bridge & District History Society: £250 towards the cost of publishing a short history of Bridge. Gravesend Historical Society: £250 towards the cost of reconstruction drawings of the Roman temple p rojects which involve people in the re s e a rch, p re s e rvation and enjoyment of local history. Applications for the next grants must be received by the Hon. General Secretary by 31 March 2008. Application f o rms can be obtained from him (Three Elms, Woodlands Lane, Shorne, Gravesend, DA12 3HH, (01474) 822280, secre t a ry @ k e n t a rc h a e o l o g y. o rg.uk) or downloaded from the web site at http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Grove app form for web.pdf . site at Springhead for a display board there and for a revised edition of its book on the site. H o rton Kirby & South Darenth Local History Society: £150 towards a book on the railways in the district. M a rden Society History Group: £250 toward s equipment for a new heritage centre in its local library. S m a rden Local History Society: £250 toward s equipment for a new heritage centre in the village hall. Grants may be made to individuals or societies for Members attending the AGM at Maidstone Town Hall on the 19th May heard three presentations. The first was by Dr Paul Cullen (editor of the English Place-Name Society’s proposed books on Kent place names and a member of the Society’s Place-Names Committee) who spoke about the history of the study in Kent and the work now being done, before giving some examples. Then Paul Cuming of the KCC’s Heritage Jonathan Fryer and Debbie Goacher were elected to the Council for the first time along with Rod LeGear and Cliff Ward who were reelected. Ted Connell and Robin Thomas were elected new Vice Presidents and Dr John Whyman was elected as a Patron. Thanks were expressed to David Bachuus who retired from the Council and Dr Christopher Chalklin and Dr John Whyman who retired as Vice Presidents. Conservation Group described its ‘Exploring Kent’s Past’ project which includes a new web site devoted to the County’s history and an online version of the Sites and Monuments Record. Finally Lesley Feakes of the Lenham Archaeological Society told members about some of the work it had done and suggested some ways the Society could help local groups. The business part of the meeting included the declaration of the results of elections. displayed in the hall. After lunch most of the party went on to Eynsford Castle, which dates back to the 11th century and is one of the earliest stone castles in the countr y. Christopher Proudfoot, chairman of the Committee, gave an introductory overview of the history of the castle. His explanation of the evolution of its layout was very helpful when everyone wandered around the castle grounds. One person raised concerns about the standard of maintenance of the site, and this will be followed up. However, all in all it was a grand day out! Buoyed by the success of the outing, the Committee intends to organise further visits to places of particular interest. Arrangements have now been finalised for the Committee’s Historic Buildings Conference to be held on 20th October 2007. (See What’s On for more information) Another activity that the Committee is considering is the promotion of easier access to, and understanding of, documentary resources on historic buildings. As a first step, the Committee will be looking into the feasibility of making some of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ALLEN GROVE FUND GRANTS KAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE these documents more readily available electronically, and of arranging training in the interpretation and use of such documentary evidence. SSUE IS SATURDAY 1st SEPTEMBER MUSEUM OF CANTERBURY SKELETON PIT! 14 & 15 July 10.30am – 4pm For children aged 5-12. Investigate a mock-up crime scene & learn some practical archaeological & forensic skills. £3 per child. Tel: 01227 475204 to reserve a place. DUNORLAN PARK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS DIGGING DEEP 14 July 11am – 4pm Visit the Saxon camp to find out what they are eating, making & wearing. Make a Saxon brooch and do the mini-dig. Bring along your finds for ID. No booking required but all children must be accompanied. More information on 01892 554171. CENTRAL PARK, DARTFORD 21 & 22 July 1 – 4pm Meet & speak to members of Dartford District Archaeological Group. Display of the Group’s current dig & earlier work and examples of finds. More information on 01322 224739. HERITAGE OPEN DAYS 6 – 9 September Co-ordinated by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage, HOD’s celebrate England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to properties usually closed to the public. From castles to factories, tithe barns to town halls, visitors can enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities. The full range of venues will be online at www.heritageopendays.org.uk from mid July. Dr Mike Heyworth, director of the CBA, has recently addressed the question of the formation of a regional group of the CBA for London. The t rustees of the Council for British Archaeology have agreed to this in principle. At present CBA SE looks after London south of the River Thames and CBA Mid Anglia the remaining part, to the north of the River Thames. The Standing C o n f e rence on London Arc h a e o l o g y (SCOLA) has existed for the past fifteen years and has focussed its attention on matters pertaining to the Greater London Region with some success, although it is now felt that a larger organisation would have more clout with govern m e n t a l departments etc. If a CBA London region proves successful, SCOLA will be disbanded so that it does not add to the number of bodies operating in archaeology in London. There are natural concerns about the implications and CBA wishes to assure all that the new group will work particularly hard to enhance the work of existing bodies to avoid duplication of resources etc. CBA also proposes that the existing county societies will each be able to propose an individual to serve on the CBA London trustee board. Initially it is proposed that the CBA London group will focus on three key areas: 1: raising the profile of archaeology in London COUNCILFOR BRITISH ARCHAEOLOGY 2: enhancing access to information about archaeology in London 3: diversifying participation in archaeology in London. There will be plenty of opportunities for those interested in promoting archaeology in London to take part in the establishment and running of the new Group. Of course, there are still many issues to be discussed and resolved with CBA SE, CBA Mid-Anglia and SCOLA but it is hoped that a steering committee will be set up in the near future. If you have any questions or comments please get in touch with me. Shiela Broomfield >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> CONTINUEDFROM PAGE 7 Time Talk – Early Anglo-Saxon Brooches in Southern England Friday 20 July Talk by Laura McLean, Finds Liaison Officer for Essex and Dr Andrew Richardson, Finds Liaison Officer for Kent. The talk compares brooches of the early Anglo-Saxon period, recorded by the Portable Antiquities Scheme, the majority of which are metal detector finds. The implications of the PAS records for our understanding of ethnic and regional identities across southern England during the 5th to 7th centuries AD will be considered. All Time Talks start at 6.30pm. Ring 01622 602838 to reserve tickets. Time Talks are suitable for 16yrs+. Cost £3 (£1.50 to Friends of Maidstone Museum and the Centre of Kentish Studies). Stone Age ‘Hands-On’ Station Saturday 21 July 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:30pm, drop in sessions. Come along to handle and find out about museum artefacts. Suitable for all ages. FREE. Conservation Craft Activity Saturday 21 July 10:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-3:30pm, drop in sessions. Come along to recreate an archaeological find by piecing together a broken terracotta pot. Suitable for all ages. Cost £2. DOVER CASTLE Tudor Falconry on 14 & 15 July Medieval Falconry on 21 & 22 July 10am – 6pm Magnificent birds of prey flying free against the backdrop of the Castle. Further details tel: 01304 211067. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Window appears, click on EXIT), go to My Computer, right click on D Drive, left click on Open, and double click on the XXVIII file. Volume XXVIII should open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. You will then be able to navigate as usual within Volume XXVIII or from Volume XXVIII to any other volume. You will not be able to return to Volume XXVIII, however, without repeating the above steps. The Publications Committee apologises for the inconvenience. will then have access to all the Archaeologia Cantiana files directly without having to use the DVD each time. ERRATA NOTICE The bookmark for Volume XXVIII incorrectly points to Volume XXXVIII. To access Volume XXVIII, follow these directions: place the DVD in the D Drive (if the Auto Start All 500 copies of the Sesquicentennial DVD containing volumes 1-125 of A rchaeologia Cantiana have now been sold. The Publications Committee has placed a further order for 100 additional copies of the DVD. If you missed out on the pre-publication offer, you can still order your copy at the amazing price of £30 for individual members or £75 for institutional members. DELAYED REACTION The reason for the apparent long delay in posting out the DVDs was that the Publications Committee decided to advertise the offer in two successive issues of the Newsletter, take pre-publication orders, and then have the right number of copies made, instead of placing a large order for DVDs and then have unwanted copies left over. The pre-publication offer ended on 1 March, the first 500 copies were ordered, and DVDs w e re posted to members during April. Apologies to all people who thought their orders had been lost, stolen, or otherwise wilfully misappropriated. TECHNICAL MATTERS A few people have re p o rted pro b l e m s accessing the data on their DVD. The Society’s computer expert says there could be many possible causes, but offers the following general advice: “Find a computer which will read the disk and by means of a flash drive (4gb minimum) or a portable hard drive transfer the contents of the DVD to the portable drive. Then connect the portable drive to the purchaser’s computer and copy the information across to the computer’s hard drive.” Even if you are not experiencing any trouble accessing the information, it is a good idea to copy the contents of the DVD to your computer’s hard drive and keep the DVD in a safe place with your other programme disks. After you have successfully copied the data to a folder on your hard drive, then open the folder, right click on the file labelled CD_Start.exe, and click on Create Shortcut. Drag the shortcut file to your desktop. You SESQUICENTENNIAL DVD A SELLOUT l Celebrate the KAS Sesquicentennial with the Sesquicentennial DVD containing volumes I-CXXV of Archaeologia Cantiana at the amazingly low cost of £30 for individual members and £75 for institutional members plus £1 postage and packaging. l To order your copy, send a cheque, payable to Kent Archaeological Society to James M. Gibson, 27 Pine Grove, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2AJ. ARCHAEOLOGIA CANTIANA DVD Chestnuts were the only megalithic monuments in the Medway valley excavated using recognisable archaeological methods (Coldrum in 1910, 1922-23 and 1926; The Chestnuts in 1959). Our understanding of the cultural landscape context of the Medway megaliths has, however, changed radically in the last 10 years with the discovery of the White Horse Stone timber long hall dated to the early 4th millennium BC, the identification of a probable causewayed enclosure at Burham, and the radiocarbon dating of the Coldrum human remains (Bayliss, A et al forthcoming). The investigation at Addington in May was prompted by the appearance of a pothole and subsequent excavation of the area by Kent Highways Service workmen. After discussions with English Heritage and Kent Highways Service it was agreed that the approximately 2m by 1m by 0.8m deep hole should be archaeologically recorded and sampled prior to backfilling. It was decided to organise this work as an early component of the Valley of Visions HLF project (see next newsletter), under the direction of Paul Garwood, Lecturer in Prehistory at the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity (IAA), University of Birmingham. A team of volunteers was then very quickly put together by Kent County Council Heritage Conservation. The sections of the hole were carefully cleaned and recorded, the entire spoil heap from the Highways excavation was sieved, and the trench was inspected by Matt Canti (soil specialist, English Heritage), Peter Allen (sedimentologist) and Andrew Haggart (pollen specialist, University of Greenwich). Samples were taken for geochemical analysis. The trench location was tied in to the rest of the monument and the OS grid by a survey team from the Trust for Thanet Archaeology. The position of the trench in relation to the rest of the monument and the sediments recorded in the sections suggest that the sarsen stone revealed in the excavation is not in situ, and that the trench cut through deposits resulting from the erosion of the mound. Over 100 pieces of worked flint were recovered, mainly from the spoil heap but several were also found in situ during section cleaning. Over the next few months the finds and samples will be analysed The Medway megaliths, which occur in two groups some 9km apart on each side of the river Medway, are the only megalithic long barrows in England east of the Berkshire Downs. Despite being the most oft-cited examples of classic Early Neolithic monuments in Kent, very little is known about them, and they have been the focus of very little recent archaeological work. In this wider context an exceptional opportunity to investigate one of the monuments arose in May this year, in response to serious subsidence in the road that crosses Addington long barrow. The Medway megalithic monuments consist of earthen long mounds of various shapes and sizes, incorporating chambers and sometimes revetments or peristaliths built of local sarsen stone. In some cases these comprise relatively well-preserved architectural structures, other monuments are more damaged and less visible, and there are a number of possible but unproven examples. Little is known about the precise dating or use of most of these structures. The most recent assessments of the Medway megaliths, by Paul Ashbee, were published in Archaeologia Cantiana in 1993 and 2000. The western monument group includes Coldrum chambere d tomb, and The Chestnuts and Addington sites c.2km to the south. Until the most recent work was carried out, Coldrum and The ADDINGTON LO and the work will be reported in full, hopefully in Archaeologia Cantiana, as soon as possible. Particular thanks are due to Mrs Bygraves for reporting the initial attempts to repair the pothole, to Gerald Cramp (Fawkham and Ash group), James Elford, Trevor Bent and Peter Spink who helped on site over long hours on a wet bank holiday weekend, to Lyn Palmer for helping to contact volunteers, to Kent Highways Service for keeping the road closed to allow the recording to take place, and to Judith Roebuck of English Heritage for expediting scheduled monument consent. Lis Dyson, KCC Heritage Conservation and Paul Garwood, IAA, University of Birmingham LONG BARROW LEFT: Newly discovered sarsen stone in western section of trench. BELOW: View to the south west showing stones from the peristalith on the north western side of the long barrow This special exhibition, within the Bentlif Gallery at Maidstone Museum, opened to the public on 12th May and has already been visited by substantial numbers of people. The exhibition has been funded by the Society, with the help of a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and major ‘contribution in kind’ from the Museum staff and Maidstone Council. The ‘Hidden Treasures’ on display are finds from archaeological investigations in Kent, over more than 200 years. For the most part, they are finds which have not been on display within the county – indeed, they have not been on display anywhere, since the time that they were found. Included in the display are a collection of flint tools from Swanscombe, probably made as much as 400,000 years ago and loaned to the Exhibition from museums in Manchester and Leeds. In the same case are other flint tools from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods (fig 1). From the Bronze Age come two collections of tools and weapons, both found at coastal settlement sites which are now only accessible at low tide. One of these is the ‘Beck Hoard’, in the British Museum since 1953. This has a most poignant story behind it, having been found by the 14-year old James Beck in 1938, only a short while before he was taken ill and died (fig 2). A display of Iron Age materials from Bigbury Hillfort, in Manchester since the 1890’s, includes a unique six-man slave chain. This is an amazing survival and it complements the two other slave chain pieces already at Maidstone. Together they make up more than half of such items ever found in Britain. The Roman period finds include pieces from the Quadrifons Arch at Richborough, a monument the interpretation of which owes so much to the expertise of the late Tom Blagg. But the real ‘gem’ of the whole display is the collection of THE HIDDEN TREA 121 111 jewellery and other pieces from the Anglo Saxon period. On show for the first time is the well-preserved ‘Coptic’ bowl discovered during work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Also for the first time, is displayed a collection of Anglo-Saxon brooches – no fewer than 47 of them (fig 3). They were all made in Kent and show the development of the particularly Kentish style of such jewellery over a period of perhaps 300 years. At the heart of the collection are the brooches found by Bryan Fausset in the mid 1700’s and stored in Liverpool Museum since 1853. None of them has been back to Kent since then. These Liverpool pieces are supplemented by others from Leeds, Saffron Waldron, The Ashmolean in Oxford, the British Museum and some more local collections. The Exhibition runs until the 9th September this year. EASURES OF KENT 131 131 131 131 Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME 14 1LH www.kentarchaeology.org.uk EDITOR: LYN PALMER 55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2QU Telephone: 01892 533661 Mobile: 07920 548906 Email evelyn.palmer@virgin.net or newsletter@kentarchaeology.org.uk Copy deadline for the next issue in October is Saturday September 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. MAINPICTURE: Guests leaving the castle after one of three guided tours. (photo: Andrew Harwood Sky) ABOVE LEFT: The anniversary cake with the Society’s logo and significant dates. (photo: Chris Broomfield) ABOVE RIGHT: The Southern Raggajazz Band entertain guests. The Society celebrated its 150th anniversary in style at Allington Castle one afternoon in May. The event had a ‘20’s theme, and costumed guests were welcomed into the marquee on the lawn by the Southern Raggajazz Band, who played throughout the afternoon. Guided tours of the Castle, which is privately-owned and not normally open to the public, were given by owner Sir Robert Wo rc e s t e r. His knowledge gave KAS members a special insight into this beautiful place and our thanks go to him for his hospitality. Wa n d e r i n g amongst the grounds, guests also saw the oldest dovecote in Britain, the Italianate garden and the nesting swans, who seemed unperturbed by the music and conversation. Tea was served at 4 o’clock and was delicious. The KAS anniversary cake was so l a rge that even 70 guests couldn’t manage all of it! This was a delightful afternoon in the most peaceful and charming of settings – a celebration that will be remembered by KAS members for many years to come. DIDN’T WE HAVE A LOVELY TIME ...