KAS Newsletter, Issue 78, Autumn 2008

r ) ICA' i CIETY -, ( . ( , J -􀀄􀀅􀀆Y,.. A PREHIS TORIC LANDSCAPE EMERGES AT BLACKSOLE FARM Throughout the last 12 months, SWAT Archaeology has been carrying out an ongoing programme of archaeological works in advance of development associated with the new Altira Business Park at Blacksole Farm, Beltinge, near Herne Bay. Excitement amongst the archaeological team builds on a daily basis as an evermore complex prehistoric landscape continues to emerge, the size and scale of the site providing a fascinating window into the ancient occupation of the Bogshole Levels. Originally commencing back in April 2007, an Archaeological Evaluation indicated the presence of extensive, multiphase remains associated with Prehistoric Autnr•! 2 and Roman-period occupation/settlement activity, in addition to Prehistoric industrial activity and probable pottery production. The results of the evaluation appeared to confirm that the Levels were relatively well populated during the Late Bronze/Early Iron Age but, in common with a minority of other sites in the area, the site also produced evidence of earlier occupation. Subsequent excavation within the western extent of the site has confirmed the presence of multi-phased occupation dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Age through the post-Medieval period when the farm was established. Early results suggested a nucleated prehistoric settlement, with associated domestic, agricultural and possible industrial land use, set out within a managed agricultural landscape. Excavations at Blacksole Farm have thus afforded an exciting and rare opportunity to study the landscape on both a macro - and micro-scale level. To date, three roundhouses have been uncovered (two of which date to the Middle Bronze Age, the third associated with the Iron Age). providing the focal point for a multi-phase settlement comprising pits and ditches. The landscape was divided up for arable, pastoral and domestic BELOW The archaeological team within roundhouse II. Co,-,-ots ond pens purposes. Further rectangular enclosures. along with droveways, field boundaries and smaller internal divisions. reveal a network of herding features essential to the successful management and control of livestock. Interrupted parallel ditches or droveways set out at right-angles. are coupled with enclosure ditches and features that can be attributed to elements of animal husbandry. Such features would typically comprise collections of corrals or pens, funnels and herding 'race·. used for droving, batching and sorting of livestock. Evidence for drahing gates. such as the 'three way drahing gate system' as suggested by Francis Pryor (1998) also appeared to be represented on site. More excitement is building as a possible longhouse emerges. comprising a series of substantial post holes that contain Neolithic waste flakes distributed in a circular pattern (around a post?) as well as a much earlier tranchet axe of Mesolithic date, possibly kept and ceremoniously discarded? While it is currently believed that the primary focus of the site would have been associated with agrarian field management and control of domesticated livestock (within a co-axial system of land division). features with a semblance to funerary or monumental structures (all of which are indicative of the Middle Bronze Age) are surprisingly absent. That said, excavations continue at a steady rate and we are under no doubt that we have only just started to scratch the surface. Evaluation trenches to d,ngtd,ro ft hotd,ng, r s 􀀃 ✓ • On 50n Double O,tch Enclosur"e the east of the existing site have revealed the presence of enclosures. droveways. pits and post holes representative of extensive contemporary settlement. providing us with the continuation of a landscape that (spatially at least) never seems to end. References Pryor, fM.M., (1998) Farmers in Prehistoric Britain, Stroud: Tempus Books Acknowledgements SWAT Archaeology would like to thank Kitewood Estates for commissioning the project. T hanks are also extended to HAVE YOU JUST JOINED THE SOCIETY? Do you wish you could collect all the back issues of Archaeolagia Cantiana? Kont Archaeological Socloty .-􀀎.. ..';';;􀀏 ,.. 􀀈;,.: c,;"·'"•w􀀉 ............... 11u c.11.x·, r.11•m•nr•C•"''•"• to,l•WVILO,.,...o A,.,,.., olAri:hH(llog,oc.alll•nw1 t,,,,,.,.,it,...-.• Now you can have 125 volumes al Archaealogia Cantiana at the amazingly low cost of £31 for individual members and £76 for institutional members on the KAS Sesquicentennial DVD. To order your copy, send a cheque payable to Kent Archaeological Society to James Gibson, 27 Pine Grove, Maidstone, Kent ME14 2AJ. Richard Cross, Archaeological Officer, Canterbury City Council for his advice and assistance. Finally, thanks are due to the hard working site team who assisted the author, namely: Julie Martin, James Madden, Dan Quintain, Natasha Ransom, Eliott Wragg, Roddy Mattinson, Emma Boast and Paul Hart. Site surveys and illustrations are carried out and produced by James Madden and Jonny Madden of 'Digitise This·. David Britchfield (Field Archaeologist) & Paul Wilkinson (Director SWAT Archaeology) E Kent Archaeological O Society 􀀖 Publications Q. All publications, journals and offE prints published by the Society are Q) now being distributed by Heritage C) Marketing and Publications Ltd. «s All titles are available to purchase ...., on-line from: www.heritagemp.com HIii Farm,Castle Acre Rd,Great Dunham, King"s Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 2LP Tel: 01760 755645 Fax: 01760 755316 E-mail: sales@heritagemp.com f eritage Marketing & Publicarlons Ltd 3 lurumn 1003 THE ISLE OF THANET from prehistory to the Norman Conquest by Gerald Moody, Deputy Director of the Trust for Thanet Archaeology. Release date November 17th. Review by Jan O'Hare - Isle of Thanec Archaeological Society: This book is a 'must read' for any thinking person who lives in or knows the Isle of Thanet. The story it tells of the Island's past. geologically and geographically, as well as archaeologically and historically, shows real depth and coherence despite inevitable gaps in current knowledge. Research drawn on is as 'up to the minute' as possible. while reflections on the data show the author's exceptionally comprehensive knowledge of both past, recent and ongoing archaeological work and theories. Illustrations are plentiful and helpful, and frequent use of relevant and original maps tie the archaeological evidence closely to the ground. After reading the book. a drive around the island is filled with new insights into the lives of our forebears and far greater understanding of how we came to be here, travelling the roads and living in the places we do today. Although the book is intensely local and saturated with Thanet's earliest history, the story built up in its pages has a much wider relevance. This is both to the pivotal role Thanet has played in the history of Britain, and to the way in which the interpretation of the wealth of information from Thanet can influence or change the way we understand finds from elsewhere in Britain. So - this intelligent book is more than just a 'must read' for locals - it is fascinating reading for anyone intrigued by our country's history. While the book embraces the latest digital techniques to analyse and illustrate Thanet's landscape and finds, no book can be entirely comprehensive in this fast moving age. A parallel website for the volume will be available on www.thanetarch.co.uk, where, as well as hosting a forum for the discussion of the themes in each chapter, updates and new information will be added. DISCOUNTED PURCHASE The Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society has arranged for copies of Thanet from Prehistory to the Norman Conquest to be available at the special price of £13.50 (plus £2.75 p&p). Orders (cheque payable to the Isle of Thanet 4 Archaeological Society). from The Isle of Thanet Archaeological Society, Crampton Tower Yard, High Street. Broadstairs, Kent. CT10 2AB. Limited stocks are available at the discounted price. so orders should be made as soon as possible. DISCOVERING ANCIENT LENHAM Lenham Archaeological Society has just produced their next Journal issue of Discovering Ancient Lenham. It is available at many shops in Lenham, including the Library. Price is £3.50, good value considering many pictures are in colour and the issue contains newly-discovered archaeology for the Maidstone area (although most is within the parish of Lenham). The Journal is also available from 2 Old School Close, Lenham ME17 2HD for £4.75, which includes P&P. Cheques payable to Lenham Archaeological Society please. If you did not purchase the first issue. both issues are on sale in the village for the combined price of £5.00. LOOSE AND LINTON - A PICTORIAL HISTORY Loose Area History Society has published a limited edition of 250 copies of Loose and Linton - a Pictorial History, first published in 2004. This 206 page book features more than 500 photographs of people, places and events associated with the history and heritage of Loose and Linton over a period of more than one hundred years. Subjects covered include mills, farms and hop-gardens; 'upstairs, downstairs' at Linton Park; chapels, churches and schools; trams, buses and industrial archaeology; and the villages' clubs, societies and associations. Price: £16. The 9th issue of the society's journal Loose Threads is also now available, at £3.50. Contents include articles on the Turnpike Road from Maidstone to Linton: recent archaeological discoveries at All Saints' Church, Loose: the 'Swallow Holes' of the Loose Valley; John Quested, Surveyor and Mapmaker; and the centenary of Scouting in Loose. Loose and Linton - a Pictorial History and Loose Threads No. 9 are on sale at Loose Post Office. For mail order details visit the society's website http://www.looseareahistorysociety.webeden. co.uk HINXHILL- A HISTORICAL GUIDE able rentals and court books. Those that have been transcribed are marked in bold and cover the following years 1515, 1532, temp. Elizabeth I, 1604, 1621, 1631. 1638, 1653, 1672 and 1815. The rentals for 1515 and 1532 also include an introduction. Published by the Wye Historical Society, this 36 page, full colour booklet is the latest in a series funded by the Local Heritage Initiative. It concerns Hinxhill, a very small village now linked with Wye administratively and ecclesiastically, but with a distinct history. Originating in early Saxon times as a settlement on an island of first class arable land no more than 150 hectares in extent and surrounded by forest and boggy sloughs, Hinxhill's past is traced through the Manor's owners, its listed buildings and its church. Loose and Linton A pictorial history The CD also contains a catalogue of records for the Hundred of Faversham. The catalogue covers 5692 original documents deposited in the Centre for Kentish Studies, The National Archives, Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Lambeth Palace Library. This provides the most comprehensive index of the twenty parishes (that is the 18 parishes listed earlier together with Boughton under Blean and Graveney) and involved the monumental labour of searching every page of the unofficial catalogues in the Centre for Kentish Studies. The introduction provides details of the scope of this project and the records that are not included. The booklet is available from Dr C P Burnham, 24 Chequers Park, Wye TN25 588. Price is £6 (post-freel. Cheques payable to Wye Historical Society please. FAVERSHAM HUNDRED RENTALS by Duncan Harrington and Patricia Hyde. Volume 5. 12008) ISBN 978-09524563-1-5. This publication on a CD offers, in some cases for the very first time, a transcript of certain rentals in the Hundred of Faversham. The parishes covered by this study include Badlesmere, Buckland, Davington, Eastling, Faversham, Goodnestone next Faversham, Harty, Leaveland, Luddenham, Newnham, Norton. Oare, Ospringe, Preston next Faversham, Sheldwich, Stalisfield, Stone next Faversham. and Throwley. Included are two maps showing the hundred of Faversham. The records start with a brief descent of the manor of Faversham, followed by a list of the avail- KAS Library Accessions March - July 2008. Revue Historique de Dunkerque et Littoral no 41. English Place Names Society Journal Vol. 39 (2007). Post Medieval Archaeology Vol. 41 p.1. Records of Buckinghamshire Vol. 47 p.2. Vol. 48 (2008). The Numismatic Chronicle Vol. 167 (2007). Norfolk Archaeology Val.xiv p.2 (2007). Surrey Archaeological Collections Vol. 93 (2007). Bygone Kent. Vol. 29 nos. 2, 3, 4. Hampshire Studies Vol. 62. Historical Assessment and Survey of Old Buildings. R.A.C.Cockett. (KAS Historic Buildings Committee). Archaeologia Aeliana. Fifth series, Vol. Xxxv. (2008). Historic Society of Lancashire and Chester Transactions. Vol. 150. Jahreschicht Sachsen Anhalt Band 90 (2006). Archaeometry Vol. 50 p.2, p.3, p.4. Archaeologische Kronik van Suid-est Vlaandern Vol. Xiii (2007). Before and After the Hurricane in and around Canterbury. Paul Crampton. Early Medieval Glass Vessels found in Kent. Winifred Stephens. Also on the CD is the name and place index to The Faversham Bibliography of Primary Sources. It is hoped that this will not only highlight the existence of these very useful Faversham Papers but may also provide additional detail of items found or not to be found in the Catalogue of Faversham Hundred records. The CD together with postage and packing in the UK and surface mail overseas will be £17.50. The CD is dispatched in a DVD case and padded envelope. Available from Duncan Harrington Ito whom cheque payable). L.H.G., F.S.A., F.S.G .. Ashton Lodge, Church Road, Lyminge, Folkestone, Kent CT18 8JA. Website: http://www.historyresearch.co.uk Thurnham Parish Plan; Community, Continuity, and Change. Derbyshire Archaeological Journal Vol.128. Women in Kent. Alison Croswell. (CKS, KCC). Woolhope Naturalist Club, Herefordshire, Transactions. Vol. 54 (2006). Highstead near Chislet Kent; Excavations 1975-1977. Paul Bennett, Peter Couldrey and Nigel Macpherson-Grant. Seal; the History of a Parish. Dictionary of Lake District Place Names. Diana Whaley. Southern History. Vol.29. (2007). Commodity of Good Names; Essays in Honour of Margaret Diellsing. Names on Terra Sigillata. Vais. 1 and 2. U. of London. Houses and Cottages of Britain. AW.Brunskill. Traditional Buildings of Britain. AW.Brunskill limber Buildings in Britain. AW.Brunskill. Period House Fixtures and Fittings. Linda Hall. Traditional Farm Buildings of Britain. AW.Brunskill. The Early Town Books of Faversham c.1251 to 1581. Duncan Harrington and Patricia Hyde. The Archaeology of Kent to AD800. Ed. John H. Williams. 5 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> KAS EVENTS KAS HISTORIC BUILDINGS COMMITTEE Historic Buildings Conference Saturday 1B October, 9.30am for 10am, until 4pm. Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way, Lenham ME17 20T. £10 admission, including refreshments (but not lunch). Pay at the door. Illustrated talks by: Andrew Linklater (Canterbury Archaeological Trust): Kentish Rock - An Examination of Kent's Natural Resources. Charles Brooking (creator of the Brooking Collection of architectural features): The Window of Time - Dating by Detait. Jane Davidson (of House Historians): Following the Sources - Some Examples of House Histories. There will also be a guided tour of Lenham Church. Lunch available. KAS Historic Buildings Conference KAS CHRISTMAS BUFFET LUNCH Saturday 29 November Following many requests we are returning to the Banqueting Suite at the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood for a lunch during the Christmas season. A buffet menu has been chosen to encourage members to circulate and meet more people, rather than be confined to set tables. The 'spoilt for choice' menu offers both a hot and cold selection Members may bring their own work for sale or display and are free to tour the site's museum and attractions in the afternoon. There is ample parking on site and a chair lift on the staircase. Cost is £21.00 per person. A booking form is included in this Newsletter. Please reply by 15 November with SAE and cheque payable to 'Kent Archaeological Society', to Margaret Lawrence, Barnfield, Church Lane, East Peckham, Tonbridge TN12 5JJ. Further details on 01622 871945 or p.lawrence.801@btinternet.com. EVENTS AROUND KENT Bexley Archaeological Group Talks The Group hold their monthly talks and meetings at Bexley-Sidcup Conservative Club, 19 Station Road, (entrance via Stanhope Road), Sidcup DA 15 7EB. Thursday 13 November Bpm. The Work of the Heritage Conservation Group & Recent Discoveries in Kent Andrew Mayfield - Historic Environment Records Officer for Kent. For further information contact Martin Baker, Chairman, 020 7300 1752 Saturday 15 November 10am - 4pm Non-Ceramics workshop by Geoff Egan, who is a specialist in Medieval and Later Finds for the Museum of London Archaeological Services For further information contact Pip Pulfer - pipspad@hotmail.co.uk >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tonbridge Historical Society PROGRAMME 200B- 2009 During the autumn and winter the Historical Society provides lectures (usually illustrated} by speakers who are experts in their field. The lectures are usually held in the Medway Room, The Angel Centre, Tonbridge. In the summer, outings are arranged to places of historical interest. We try to include local houses which are not normally open to the public. Saturday B November 2.30pm 'The Completest Medieval Town in England' - Sandwich in the Middle Ages Sarah Pearson & Helen Clarke. Two presentations with a tea interval. Booking is necessary - details from the Secretary, Shiela Broomfield on 01732 838698. Thursday 11 December 7.45pm A Country House Christmas Pat Mortlock l11tun111 2 6 Thursday B January 7.45pm Plays & Players in Medieval & Early Modern Kent Dr James Gibson Thursday 12 February 7.45pm Recent Archaeological Work Gary Brown, PreConstruct Archaeology Thursday 12 March 7.45pm Westenhanger Castle Terry Whitling Thursday 9 April 7.30pm AGM followed by A Close Look at Old Tonbridge Pat Hopcroft & Anthony Wilson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Loose Area History Society Monday 10 November One hundred years of Scouting in Loose presentation by the Scout management team Monday B December Puppets, piers and pantomime Alan Stockwell Unless otherwise stated all meetings are held at Loose Infant School Hall, and start at 7.30 pm. Admission: £2.50. Pay at the door. More details on 01622 741198 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Crayford Manor House Historical & Archaeological Society TALKS 200B/2009 Saturday B November The History of British Broadcasting - 30 years of radio broadcasting from 1922, with voices, comedy, music, events, wartime memories Don Dray Saturday 13 December Christmas with Dickens - a programme of dramatic readings and seasonal stories Gerald Dickens (great-great-grandson of Charles). Preceded by finger buffet & wine - tickets £8 for non-members. Saturday 10 January Idea to Item - History of silversmithing from 1238 - present including hallmarking & formation of silversmiths company Alan Moore Saturday 14 February Stuart London - the expansion of London westwards in the 17th century, the disasters which befell it and the new institutions which developed Ian Bevan Saturday 14 March History of the English Country House, 1600-Edwardian John Vigar Saturday 1B April AGM and President's Lecture All talks held in The Baker Trust Hall, Crayford at 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome to attend at a fee of £2.00 per lecture, except December which is £8. Enquiries to Mrs J Hearn-Gillham: 01322 551279. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Council for Kentish Archaeology Conference ROMAN DISCOVERIES IN KENT AND LONDON Saturday 25 October Powell Lecture Theatre, Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, Canterbury The Early Roman Cemetery at Toi/gate, near Gravesend Tim Allen, Oxford Archaeology The Hoard of Roman Metal Vessels found in a well at Drapers Gardens Neil Hawkins, Pre-construct Archaeology Roman Canterbury Paul Bennett, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Tickets £4.00 available from CKA, Sandy Ridge, Borough Green, Kent TN15 BHP. Please enclose S.A.E. Further information can be found at www.thecka. fsnet.co.uk, or email davru58-aeol@yahoo.co.uk, or tel: 0208 777 7872 or 01732 884059. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> COURSES BIRKBECK COLLEGE - Faculty of Lifelong Learning Archaeology Courses 2008 - 2009 We offer a number of courses under the following awards: • Archaeology (MA) • Ancient Near Eastern and Aegean Studies (Certificate of Higher Education) • Archaeological Practice and Techniques (Certificate of Higher Education) • Archaeology (Certificate of Higher Education) • Egyptology (Certificate of Higher Education) • The Archaeology of Britain (Certificate of Higher Education) • Archaeological Walks in London • Archaeology (Five-Day Practical Courses) • Archaeology (Summer Training Excavation) • Archaeology and Egyptology (Short Courses and Weekend Events) Also at Birkbeck: Industrial Archaeology Study Day Saturday 21 March 10am-5pm £40/£20 concession This study day will enable students to explore Britain's industrial heritage by looking at a number of topics including materials, energy, transport and industrial architecture. Full programme will be available nearer the date. For more information please contact the Executive Officer for Archaeology on: 020 7631 6627 or email:archaeology@fce.bbk.ac.uk. You can also find full details about courses at http:// www.bbk.ac.uk/study/all_courses/archaeology.html For a 2008-09 Archaeology or Egyptology Full Course Prospectus ring 020 7631 6627. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EGYPTOLOGY with Frances Williams For University of Kent courses, contact details are given in listings. For all other courses/study days/tours, please contact Frances Williams on fwipetiset@hotmail.com; 25 Orchard Way, Horsmonden TNl 2 BLA; tel. 01892 723013 or 07789 661 616. Ancient Egyptian Art and Symbolism October 9 for 20 weeks. Tonbridge, 2-4pm. Contact University Centre, Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, TN9 lTG. Early Dynastic Egypt and the Levant October 21 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 2-4pm. £55. Hieroglyph workshop - Karnak inscriptions Oct 21 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 7-9pm; suitable for students with some experience studying hieroglyphs. £55. Early Dynastic Egypt and the Levant October 23 for 6 weeks Tonbridge 1 Oam-12pm. £55. Deir el-Medina - daily life in ancient Egypt January 13 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 2-4pm. Hieroglyph workshop January 13 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 7-9pm. Details to be announced. Deir al-Medina - daily life in ancient Egypt January 15 for 6 weeks. Tonbridge 1 Oam-12pm. Venue to be announced. Ancient Egyptian Glass and Faience March 3 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 2-4pm. Hieroglyph workshop March 3 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 7-9pm. Details to be announced. Ancient Egyptian Glass and Faience March 5 for 6 weeks. Tonbridge 10-12. Venue to be announced. Dynasty 25 - the Nubian Pharaohs May 12 for 6 weeks. Canterbury 2-4pm. Hieroglyph workshop May 12 for 6 weeks Canterbury 7-9pm. Details to be announced. Dynasty 25 and the Nubian Pharaohs May 14 for 6 weeks. Tonbridge 1 Oam-12pm. Venue to be announced. Decoding Ancient Egyptian Art - an introduction to the conventions and use of symbolism On 3 linked Mondays - June 22. June 29 & July 6. Canterbury 11 am-4pm. STUDY DAYS Learn to read Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs June 6 - Day school at University of Kent campus. Canterbury. A user-friendly study day designed for anyone who would like to begin to read hieroglyphs. Contact V.J.Woolnough@kent.ac.uk Before Giza: the predynastic archaeology of Early Egypt June 20 - Day school at University of Kent Tonbridge Centre. Contact V.J.Woolnough@kent.ac.uk. STUDY TOURS TO EGYPT Time Travellers' 09 Study Tour to Luxor - exploring a sacred landscape; April 20 - 27. Travel arrangements by Bales Worldwide. Seminars and site visits including temples of Luxor and Karnak. Valley of the Kings. Deir el-Bahri. tombs of the Nobles and Deir el-Medina; accompanied throughout by Frances Williams and Amr el-Helly. Time Travellers' 09 Tour to Egypt for the more experienced traveller; details to be announced; accompanied throughout by Frances Williams and Amr el-Helly; provisional dates October 20-27. (Please note that it may be necessary to alter details as indicated above.) SAGA SPECIAL INTEREST ARCHAEOLOGY HOST Saga Holidays is the leading name for people aged 50 and over, offering a wide range of holidays. Our customers travel to every corner of the globe, and we are constantly developing new holiday ideas to meet the challenging moods and needs of our travellers. We are looking to recruit Archaeology Hosts for our Europe and UK Special Interest Programme, starting in Spring 2009. Applicants will have expert knowledge of archaeology and possess the relevant qualifications. They will also have excellent communication, leadership and presentation skills. Duties will include conducting lectures, socialising with customers and working closely with the Holiday Representative. If you have the desire to share your passion for archaeology with our customers, please contact Helen Robinson by email on helen.robinson@saga.co.uk. 7 MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Many thanks for your patience in helping to sort out some of the problems with standing orders. I am hopeful that these will have been sorted by the time the new subscriptions come through in January 2009. Please check your statements carefully and let me know of any ongoing problems. A few banks are still paying subscriptions monthly instead of annually. . . Please remember that you need to show your membership card if you wish to use the KAS Library. If you have m1sla1d yours send me a short n_ote and stamped addressed envelope so that I can send you a replacement. . . . We are planning to hold another 'Introduction to new members' morning soon and those of you who have Joined since 2006 will receive an invitation to this useful session. Please try and attend as it should help you to make full _use of your membership. The address for all correspondence relating to membership is Mrs Shiela Broomfield, KAS Membership, 8 Woodv1ew Crescent. Hildenborough, To nbridge, Kent TN11 9HD. Tel: 01732 838698. Email: membership@kentarchaeology.org.uk or s.broomfield@dial.pipex.com. We are pleased to welcome the following new members: Junior Members: Miss K Westlake, Mr A Williamson, Bayleys Hill. Sevenoaks Strood, Rochester WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE Joint Members THE HON. GENERAL SECRETARY? Staplehurst The Council is seeking a candidate for appointment as Hon. Mr & Mrs N Butler, Mr S Hawthorne & Miss M Greenaway, Mr & Mrs A Weston, Kennington, Ashford Boughton Lees, Ashford General Secretary to succeed Andrew Moffat when he retires. The Hon. General Secretary is an Officer of the Society and the office is not paid but most expenses are reimbursed. It offers an excellent opportunity to be involved in most aspects of the Society's work and to know what is going on in many spheres of archaeology and local history in the County and beyond. Ordinary Members Mrs A Broadley, Mr DJ Cook, Ms S Dutnell, Ms B Gillow, Mrs E Gould, Affiliated Society Broad Oak, Canterbury South Darenth. Dartford Whitstable lghtham Mote, Sevenoaks Tonbridge If you are interested or would just like more information please contact him on (01474) 822280 or email secretary@kentarchaeology.org.uk. If you prefer you may contact the President on (01227) 860207. Folkestone People's History Centre ARCHAEOLOGIA CANTIANA • THE FUTURE Aln the spring 2008 Newsletter, Society members were invited to send in their views to a small team, established to review the future of Archaeologia Cantiana (AC) - its size. format. content etc ... We are pleased to report that a reasonable number of members replied and these replies have been much appreciated. The Review Team (Elizabeth Edwards. Kate Kersey, Terry Lawson and Chris Pout) have now considered all the replies and have reached the following conclusions. Above all, it seems clear that the majority of members who replied wish the Society to continue to publish AC in its current form - i.e at the same page size and with the blue hardback cover. Over 80% of the respondents expressed their wish that this should be the case. A few members requested investigation of an alternative format, for example an A4 page size and a sohback cover. We could investigate the possi- 8 bility of producing AC in such a form for those members that would prefer it. However, for the few copies required this seems likely to be a rather expensive option. Many respondents expressed their satisfaction with the • 150th anniversary' issue of the DVD of back copies of AC from 1858 to the recent past. We suggest that it should be possible to repeat this process on a regular basis, with each DVD perhaps covering 10 past years. This conclusion has been passed to the Publications Committee (who will obviously need to be sure. in due course, that the DVD format is still the most appropriate technology). A few members suggested that some of the more detailed information in articles in AC could be put out in 'electronic' form - perhaps on the Society website or as an enclosed CD or DVD. The latter options could be difficult and expensive. It is therefore proposed that. as an experiment. some of the more detailed archaeological reports submitted for the 2009 volume will be placed on the Soci ety's website with authors invited to submit a summary for the actual publication. We hope that members will send in their reactions to this experiment in due course. A few members asked if coloured illustrations could be included. This is. of course. expensive, but will be considered where appropriate. Finally, none of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the balance of the contents. We are aware that our membership spans a wide range of particular interests and that, therefore. not all of the articles will be of interest to everyone. It would appear that successive editors have been highly successful in balancing these interests. The Review team would like to thank all those members who contributed to the review and hope that you will understand that it has not been possible to reply individually to each of you. KNOW YOUR KAS; ITS R ESOURCES AND HOW TO USE THEM A study morning for new and not-so-new KAS members Saturday November 1st 10am - 1pm in the KAS library The object of this informal study and discussion meeting will be to familiarize new and not-so-new members with the organisation. activities and resources of the Society. so that they may be better able to draw on the Society's resources in the pursuit of their own interests in History and Archaeology, and in so doing. contribute to the work and standing of the Society. Talks by Officers and other prominent members of the Society will include a short account of its history, its present administrative set-up; activities and aims of the various committees and groups; resources of the Library; use of IT and the Societies websites; artefacts and finds. documentary, manuscript and visual records owned by the Society; and the place of the Society in county, national and European historical and archaeological studies and work. New and not-so-new members wishing to attend this meeting please register with Or. Frank Panton. Hon Librarian KAS. Maidstone Museum . St. Faiths Street. Maidstone. Kent ME14 1 LH. email grovend@uwclub.net. or ring 01795 472218. COMMITTEE ROUND-UP KAS MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE VISIT TO BOXLEY ABBEY The Committee continued its series of visits to historic buildings with a trip to Boxley Abbey on the afternoon of Saturday. 19 July. It is an indication of the interest in the once-famous Abbey of St Mary that some 65 KAS members attended. The group examined the great barn and other standing remains of the abbey, which was founded by the Cistercians in 1146. During the tour around the grounds. Joy Saynor. David Carder and Deborah Goacher provided an informative commentary on various aspects of the abbey. There have been several archaeological investigations at Boxley Abbey over the years. In 1971-2 the KAS undertook a programme of excavation with the aim of establishing the general plan of the church and cloisters. At that time. despite only a limited amount of excavation of the remains being possible, it was established that the plan of the church was similar to three other Cistercian abbeys founded in the mid 12th Century: Fountains. Kirkstall and Rievaulx. There is a very interesting article on the findings of these excavations by P.J. Tester F.S.A. in Archaeologia Cantiana Vol. 88 1973. The church had contained the celebrated Rood of Grace. a cross with an image of Christ that was supposed to be gifted with movement and speech. and the image of St. Rumwold. also deemed to have miraculous powers. They were denounced as fakes at the time of the Dissolution. After the dissolution of Boxley Abbey in 1538, the west range of abbey buildings was converted into a dwelling house. and the church and east range were wholly or partly demolished. The great barn is believed to have been built c. 1280. Like most old buildings, it was subject to many repairs and modifications over the centuries. In the Statutory List maintained by English Heritage the barn is referred to as the abbey hospitium. ie. a guest-house. That could have been the purpose of the building at one time. particularly bearing in mind that many pilgrims would have visited the abbey. However. there is no doubt that the Cistercians. an order renowned for agricultural enterprise. did use the magnificent stone building as a barn. Some KAS members will have seen it across the fields when travelling on the M20 motorway. Thanks go to Joy Saynor for organising once again a very enjoyable visit, and to David Carder and Deborah Goacher for assisting Joy in providing an insight into the history and architecture of this fascinating abbey. Most importantly, thanks also go to the Best-Shaw family for so generously permitting the group - particularly such a large one - to visit the Abbey. This was a continuation of the tradition of hospitality shown to KAS members at Boxley Abbey. Almost 107 years before in 1901. at the invitation of Major Best. "On Wednesday, 31 st of July, a large party started early to see the interesting excavations made at Boxley Abbey . .. ". Afterwards the 1901 party went in carriages to Sutton Valence and East Sutton Place. and finally on to see East Sutton Church. Coincidentally, the KAS Churches Committee arranged a visit to the same parish church in June 2008. Plus fa change ... Angela Davies KAS CHURCHES COMMITTEE STUDY DAY - RELIGIOUS HOUSES IN MEDIEVAL CANTERBURY This absorbing and well attended study day in June was held jointly by the KAS and Canterbury Christ Church University, organised by KAS Council Member continued on page 10 9 '""""' 1008 /' continued from page 9 Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh. In the morning, three lectures took place in the Ramsey Lecture Theatre at Christ Church. Dr Louise Wilkinson. from the University's history department. set the context with a talk that addressed the place of the church in medieval society and the fluctuating fortunes of monasticism from the Anglo-Saxon period to the great 12th century revival. Aher coffee. Alison Hicks and Dr Sweetinburgh gave lectures drawing on the fruits of archaeological explorations of two particular Canterbury monastic institutions. Alison Hicks spoke about the Whitefriars excavations. carried out between 1999-2007, in which she was involved with Canterbury Archaeological Trust. Dr Sweetinburgh then spoke about St Gregory's Priory, drawing on the work of Alison Hicks and others involved in the excavations. Following lunch. those attending split into groups to visit the sites of four of Canterbury's medieval monastic institutions. The expert guides were Dr Sweetinburgh at St John's Hospital. Margaret Sparks at Christchurch Cathedral Priory, Meriel Connor at the Greyfriars and Paul Bennett at St Augustine's Abbey. So ended what was an informative day with some distinguished speakers. VISIT TO EAST SUTTON AND ULCOMBE Thirty two people attended the evening June visit to St Peter and St Paul. East Sutton and All Saints, Ulcombe. Both churches are situated along the Ragstone Range overlooking the Weald of Kent. Mr Robert Argles gave the talk at St Peter and St Paul, where he Is churchwarden. Although a small country church there was much of interest to investigate. These include a 13th century font and a Jacobean pulpit The church was all but complete in the 14th century and has seen times of great turmoil. There are even marks of the bullet that was fired at the manor house by Cromwell's soldiers. There are many monuments to the Filmer family including a very fine brass reputed to be the most remarkable family portrait in Kent. Mr Philip Lawrence, Chairman of the Churches Committee, shared his knowledge of the piece with those attending. We then made the short drive along the Range to All Saints Ulcombe where Mrs Molly Poulter and her band of helpers were waiting to greet us. All Saints is a surprisingly large church for a small village and this is explained by the fact that Archbishop Stephen Langton established a College of Priests here in 1213. The five misericords with carvings on their undersides have links with the five priests of the College. The church has some fine wall paintings, two can be found in the south aisle, one in the nave, one in the Lady Chapel and one on the north wall of the Sanctuary. Like East Sutton, All Saints has some fine brasses that are well covered for their protection. Another interesting feature o f All Saints are the Yews in the churchyard. One i s known a s the O l d Yew, 35 feet round the trunk and the other is known as the Young Yew, whose trunk is only 26 feet. We were provided with refreshments by the ladies at Ulcombe aher our tour. Jackie Davidson Notes from the archive Mr Leland L. Duncan F.S.A. and The Rev. Frederic John Hammond The Kent Archaeological Society has a Library Archive where the papers of former members have been deposited over the years for safekeeping. The Honorary Librarian. Professor Panton. has instigated a survey of the archive in order to gain a more detailed understanding of the holdings. The first box to be surveyed contains. among other things, the research notes of Leland Lewis Duncan. M.V.O.. O.B.E.. F.S.A. a well-known Lewisham based antiquarian and author. He was born on the 24th of August 1862 and died on the 26th of December 1923. He combined a career in the War Office with a passion for history and archaeology, especially the study of Kent, and he produced a large number of well received publications. One group of papers relates to a book Leland L. Duncan never completed. Its topic would have been the history of the Parish of AIIHallows. lor All Hallows), Hoo near Rochester. The papers include a sketch for the content of a book on the Parish of Allhallows and a drah for a first chapter. A quantity of notes and transcripts for the proposed work are also preserved. Among the papers are a number of letters from a friend of Leland L. Duncan, which open a window on his social world and a friendship that provided a background for these antiquarian activities. The letters are from The Rev. Frederic John Hammond, the vicar of AIIHallows between 1900 and 1927. The correspondence dates from 1905 to around 1915 and relates to researches into the history of Allhallows, Hoo. The Rev. Hammond was born in Aylesford and educated at Merchant Taylors' School and Kings College London. He was an author in his own right and published several books, among them "A Country Parson" and "The Starvelings". The letters show him seeking out and copying JO registers for Leland Duncan as well as giving a glimpse of his life. In April 1905 he is busily at work: "My Dear Duncan I am sending you the remainder of the Baptisms. Unfortunately I ran right out of Foolscap and so had TOP: All Hallows about 1898. BOTTOM: Interior before restoration. to crowd the last two pages and write on the back of one - I am going to Rochester on Monday and will get in some more and then start on the marriages .. . . .. The Rev. Hammond found the Churchwarden's accounts and the Overseers' accounts for the Church, which contain entries dating back to 1555. He made sure these were well cared for and communicated his activities to Leland L. Duncan. The letters contain references to the restorations of Allhallows church in 1897 and the early 1900s. The restoration project was a source of worry and pride for the Rev. Hammond. He frequently consulted Leland L. Duncan during these works. A number of photographs of the Church from 1898 are included in a letter showing both outside and inside views of the church as it was then. He also sent sketches of masonry, rubbings of inscriptions and reports on the activities surrounding the restoration. Evidence of his enthusiasm is also to be found in the Medway Archives and Local Studies Centre where they have a fragile photo album compiled by him recording the fabric of the church. Leland L. Duncan died in 1923, without completing the planned book on Allhallows Parish. The Rev. Hammond subsequently went on to write "The Story of an Outpost Parish, AIIHallows. Hoo. Kent" !London, 1928). It was a more modest work than the one they had intended. He dedicated it to the Memory of Leland L. Duncan and wrote in the preface how they had worked together for 21 years on the project. The review in Archaeologia Cantiana IVol. Xlll, 1930) was not overflowing with enthusiasm although the Rev. Hammond was praised for rescuing the Church Accounts. However, it was the product of a longstanding friendship and communicates his enthusiasm and love for his Parish. The Rev. Hammond's letters are now a source for the antiquarian activities of that period, especially those of Leland L. Duncan, and records the distinct voice of a dedicated amateur who did his best to look aher the heritage of his Parish. Watling Street Construction Album at the Centre for Kentish Studies The CKS has recently been successful with a bid at an auction in Devon for a selection of items relating to the Watling Street Construction. This covers the Dartford Southern By-pass and the Dartford - Strood section of the A2 started in 1921 and opened by the Prince of Wales in 1924. The main item of the collection is an album with 111 fascinating photographs taken during the construction of the 11 mile road of various sites along the way e.g. Old Toll Gate Inn; Field Cottages from North Clay; Thong Lane Cut; Old Road and Saw Mill Yard, Cobham Woods; Three Crutches looking East. All the photos have a line of description beneath them and most are dated. The photos also show: • 'The bed of the old Roman road' • 'Potter's kilns at Springhead and at Northumberland Bottom' • 'A Samian vessel and other pottery' • 'A Roman burial' • 'A Celtic burial' With the album there is: • a linen backed, fold-out map of the length of the road, scale: 2 inches to 1 mile • an official brochure/programme of events for the opening • an invitation for E.O. Blunden, who is marked on an official group photo, taken outside the 'Ministry of Transport. Roads Dept. Northern Division'. No address of the location is visible. The album appears to be the Ministry's official record of the construction. This collection ties in with a set of glass negatives which were taken by the Rev. Thomas Harrison that is in the collections at CKS. The glass negatives add to the views, including Pepper Hill; Wrotham Road, Gravesend; and images of the Prince of Wales opening the road and inspecting the guards. Together the collections make a good illustrative record of the development of an area. To make an appointment to view CKS collections, phone 01622 ABOVE: 'St Thomas' Well, Cobham Woods'. LEFT: 'Bed of old Roman Road, April 1922'. 696197. The album is still uncatalogued at present, but anyone who would like to view it should ask to speak to Hilary Streeter or to Debbie Saunders when booking an appointment. They can ensure that the album is available for the visit. A run of Archaeologia Cantiana from 1975 to the present is available to anyone who can give them a good home. There would be no charge. If anyone is interested please contact Michael Zell on m.l.zell@greenwich.ac.uk or phone 0208 467 8545. 11 11111111111 2008 • THE SNODLAND ROMANO The remains of the Romano-British villa at Snodland are situated on the west bank of the River Medway, overlooking the valley floodplains to the east. This site is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and has been known about for over a hundred years, although in recent times the Church Field residential estate has been constructed over the footprint of the older Romano-British activity. Prior to this development however, a number of separate archaeological excavations had taken place, together revealing a substantial complex of buildings, including the central villa, with ranges, floors, wall plaster and hypocaust remains, as well as a number of outbuildings and other associated archaeological features. In September 2006 geotechnical investigations were carried out on an adjacent sports field to the northwest, which revealed an important Romano-British coin hoard, comprising approximately 3,600 mid-4th century bronze coins (KAS Newsletter Winter 2006/7). In advance of further development, Archaeology South-East was commissioned by CgMs Consulting on behalf of Smurfit Kappa UK to undertake archaeological excavations across the proposed site. During the course of this work, extensive and previously unrecorded Romano-British deposits were uncovered, including the partially exposed remains of a building. This structure consisted of a minimum of five rooms, possibly orientated around an open courtyard area. However, its foundation trenches continued to the east, well beyond the designated area of excavation, where they would almost certainly have been destroyed by modern services, and the course of the railway line. The depth of the surviving footings, combined with the plentiful remains of Romano-British tile would suggest that the building once comprised a single storey structure, complete with tiled roof. In spatial terms. this building would have been located less than 100 metres away from the centre of the main villa complex, whilst datable artefacts connected with the upstanding life of the structure suggest it once formed a contemporary and integral part of the broader 2nd-4th century Romano- 12 •BRITISH VILLA COMPLEX OPPOSITE: Building wall line and mortared structure. ABOVE: Block lifting the cremation. BELOW Skeleton in the tile-lined grave. British estate. Conversely, the archaeological evidence indicated a comprehensive phase of demolition having taken place during the Romano-British period itself. Given the relatively good survival of structural elements from earlier excavations on the main site to the southeast, it seems likely that this building was deliberately robbed of its materials, and that its component flint. ragstone and tile were used for construction elsewhere on the estate. The surrounding grounds seem to have been delineated by a large enclosure ditch and within this area a number of notable features were recorded, including postholes and pits, a cremation. a pond and a substantial preserved chalk footing adjoining the building, probably on the same alignment as one of its gable ends. If so, a good sized wall may have once existed. thereby marking some form of garden boundary. Beyond the enclosure ditch to the west more pits and gullies were recorded, indicating farming and small scale industrial activity as well as a number of geometrically orientated ditches, indicative of a Romano-British field system. To the south of the building, close to the excavated coin hoard, and defined within a network of intercutting ditches. four articulated human burials were revealed. Two of these graves contained almost complete Romano-British pots. The burials themselves were not orientated east to west, and the presence of ceramic grave goods with the bodies is indicative of pre-Christian burial traditions. Interestingly, the skeletons were located directly beneath what, until recently, had been changing room facilities and a boxing club. Two small baby skeletons were also identified within a specific room in the building, one of which had been placed on a complete piece of Roman roofing tile known as tegula. In Romano-British times, babies were often buried beneath or close to kitchens, thus providing a possible indication of the buildings function. Another human burial was recorded close by, buried in a grave partly lined with large pieces of RomanoBritish tile. A broad number of finds were retrieved from the site. including brooches, rings, hairpins, tweezers, beads. glass and coins, as well as the more ubiquitous ceramic, bone. and iron material. Many of the finds are dated to the 3rd and 4th centuries, although some signs of earlier activity have been recorded. most notably a copper alloy La Tene Brooch, of Late Iron Age to 1 st century origin. as well as two Colchester two-piece brooches dating to the 1 st century. The coin hoard has been dated to the mid-4th century, and was recovered from a ditch that had been backfilled late in the site's development, evidently no longer in use. Therefore, it seems likely that the burial of these coins points to the final stages of the Romano-British occupation of the Snodland villa. Clive Meaton Archaeology South-East EAST LENHAM MOATED MAN We know from histories that East Lenham was once a parsonage. Perhaps we now have evidence of an ecclesiastica I house or - chapel on Stack Platt (as the plateau within the horseshoe of the past moat is now known), based on the evidence of finds in a garderobe. These were made in a dig in April 2008, which finally gave up secrets about the Tudor, and earlier, manor house. From the small drawing of the house on William Boycott's 1660 map it appears that the house had four floors. The accuracy of the map, with the moat and fields all drawn as they are still, would suggest that he may have drawn the house exactly as it was. the same (Stained Glass of the Middle Ages, Saint and Arnold, p 232). The rectangular shape of our piece of glass suggests it was more likely from a house 􀂥 than a chapel, a fact confirmed by Leone Selinger. A piece of glazed medieval tile had similar glazing to the tiles found on the 13th century chapel site at Royton (1 mile south of East Lenham, see LAS Journal vol 1 ). A local archaeologist has since confirmed findings of identical tiles from a building site in Gharing, close to the medieval Archbishop's Palace. Also in the garderobe were two late-16th century Venetian tazze. One has a beautiful latissimo twisted design of white opaque glass in the stem. There are 34 strands of white glass with four finer strands between them. The floor of the bowl has 17 raised white glass applied lines. No pieces of the actual upper bowl were found, only its flat floor, so it could have been rather like a cake stand than a cupped glass. Restricting the stem are two bands of greyish glass that have been applied over the latissimo glass. The bottom of the base has been neatly folded in to form a rim. A wall located in 2007 was uncovered again in our first 2008 trench. It was tracked in a westerly direction but a mass of yellowish clay indicated it had been robbed out and backfilled at some point. We persisted and dug another trench 3m further along. Although any structure of the brick wall was absent we did find the garderobe. It was 70cm x 80cm in size and 70cm deep, the base being chalky clay/hill-wash. There was no evidence of any drain into the lake, but at that level water was seeping in from the water table. ABOVE- Garderobe after the soil had been removed to hillwash natural. The other tazze had horizontal bands of white glass on the bowl with diagonal lines between. then 4 or 5 rows of neatly cut, an intricate cut design crossing smoothly finished chalk blocks BELOW William Boycotts 1660 map. were revealed. The top layers had a 'glazed' deposit of brown excrement (at first mistaken for painted plaster!). Dispersed within the soil of the garderobe were various pieces of glass. The first found was a piece of window glass with a painting of a bishop (or archbishop) with a Au1um1 ! 14 halo around his head. This was identified as 15th century by Leone Selinger of Canterbury Cathedral Glass Studio. The image is very like one of an Archbishop on a piece of 15th century glass found in Canterbury, the mitre design being exactly these to make a lattice diamond design. Also found were four 16th century green glass bottles of thin (1 mm) glass. with spiral fluting around the necks. Amongst these glass finds were some 50 pieces of bone, including rabbit, pigeon. chicken. carp, flatfish, duck and rat and many oyster shells. 1R: FINDS FROM THE GARDEROBE ABOVE LEFT: Late 16th century Venetian tazze. ABOVE CENTRE: Painted window glass depicting a bishop, & RIGHT: similar design from Canterbury. It is now evident that the house was a high status Manor house (possibly with ecclesiastical connections). judging by the items found in the garderobe! The chalk blocks probably extended up the side of the house for four floors (if William Boycott's drawing of 1660 is accurate). One can invent a mental picture of celebrations and feasting (room service in the solar) and the broken glasses and refuse being thrown down the long drop. If the garderobe was on the south east corner of the house (our best guess from results so far). then next year we may try to locate the north east corner in the area beyond the present farm track, where we have not yet excavated. Lesley Feakes Lenham Archaeological Group Dear Editor Re: The Society Then and Now. I am currently doing a detailed audit of the holdings in the Library's Marsham Street Store. In the process of this I have come across a lovely News item from the Chatham and Rochester News on the 1 st of August 1903 regarding the annual meeting of the Kent Archaeological Society in Rochester. As we look back on the events of this summer it is interesting to look back on that summer in the history of the Society and reflect on how much has changed. I have chosen a couple of little snippets to give you a flavour of this event. " On Monday and Tuesday this society, after an absence of seventeen years, again held its annual gathering in the ancient city of Rochester, from which, on the second day, it made excursions into various parts of the Hundred of Hoo to inspect several ancient churches and Cooling Castle. Although the unsettled state of the weather caused the attendance to be below the average on these annual occasions, yet on Monday morning, at the preliminary meeting in the Guildhall (a building of more than ordinary interest) at Rochester, for the despatch of business, there was a great gathering. The President, the Rt. Hon. Earl Stanhope, Lord Lieutenant of the County, occupied the chair, supported by the Vice-Presidents and members of the Council, together with the officers of the Society. Tuesday's Proceedings were of a character which attracted a very large number of the members of the Society, including many ladies, notwithstanding that the weather forecast was the reverse of promising. Rain commenced even before the start, and continued, with only brief intervals of sunshine, during the whole day, getting worse as the day advanced. The party arriving by up or down trains, were met at the Chatham, Rochester and Strood railway stations, and others at the hotels of the city, by carriages -four four-horse char-a-bancs and brakes, and one pair-horse waggonette; these were joined by a motor car and several private carriages, including that of the Earl of Darnley." In the pouring rain they then proceeded to visit Cliffe-At-Hoo Church, Cooling Castle, High Halstow Church, Stoke Church and Hoo St. Werburgh, where a series of enthusiastic Vicars provided them with refreshments and told them all about their churches. They were certainly the 'Hard Back' generation. It is at least reassuring to know that despite all the changes since then the weather will continue to be an unpredictable influence on the activities of the Society. Pernille Richards SMARDEN'S BIG DIG • A SECRET PAST REVEALED 3 years ago Alex Ferris of Smarden History Society was making a film about the village's history and made contact with English Heritage (EH). A field walk project for the local school, assisted by EH, led to him forming a junior section of the History Society. They now run an active monthly programme of activities. A subsequent talk by EH to the History Society raised the question of the location of Smarden's old marketplace in the village centre. Alex successfully bid for • Awards for All' funding to enable a dig with the aim of discovering more about how the medieval village developed, and where Smarden's market place once stood. The 'Big Dig' took place over a weekend in September. in cooperation with Cambridge University and their Field Academy programme. led by Carenza Lewis. More than 60 parents and children enjoyed a fascinating weekend of archaeological discovery. Under the guidance of Carenza and her team. and assisted by medieval pottery expert Luke Barber from Sussex University, 11 teams opened 1 metre-square test pits in the gardens of houses lining the ancient centre of the village. It was soon apparent that most pits were going to produce large quantities of finds and at the close of the first day's digging, hundreds of artefacts were brought back to the Dig HO at Smarden Primary School for examination by the experts By the end of Sunday the quantity of collected items had run into the thousands! All of the finds have now been taken to Cambridge University for further analysis, but the initial assessment showed that pottery pre-dating Smarden·s medieval Church had been discovered, together with significant quantities of medieval and later fragments. Perhaps the most exciting find was a hoard of silver English and French coins dating from the 13th. 14th, 15th and 16th centuries found in one garden. A permanent display of Dig items will eventually be mounted in Smarden's new Heritage Centre at the Charter Hall. Additional information is due to appear soon on the Centre's website: www.smardenheritagecentre.synthasite.com. The Big Dig weekend was voted such a big success by the teams that the Society is considering organising another dig next year! ABOVE LEFT' Carenza debriefing diggers at the end Copy deadline for the next issue m Janual'( 1s Monday December 1st of day one. The editor wishes to draw anenuon to the fact that neither she 1101 the Council of the KAS are answerable for op!mons which contributors may express m their signed articles. each author 1s alone leSJX)ns1ble for the ABOVE CENTRE: Holly Smith and Ruth Slater with finds from test pit 2. ABOVE RIGHT. Amelia Thompson and Adam Titmuss, initiators of the Big Dig. 16 contl!lllS ard substance of their work ' ,.., A I • I l • l, • f f I J . ;_ 1 [ 11 ' ', ' , ' 55 Stone Street, Tunbridge Wells. Kent TN1 2DU Telephone: 01892 533661 Mobile: 07920 548906 during work hours please. Email evelyn.palmer @virgin.net or newslener@kentarchaeology.org.uk Published by the Kent Archaeological Society, Maidstone Museum and Benthf Gallery, St Faith's Street. Maidstone. Kent ME 14 llH www kentarchaeology org uk