Studying History & Archaeology in Lympne (SHAL) Excavation at Stutfall Fort
By Malcolm Davies and Richard Taylor
The weekend of 5–6 May 2018 saw members of the Studying History and Archaeology of Lympne, or SHAL group excavate a small trench at Stutfall Fort, Lympne, Kent.
The fort is believed to have been constructed c.270 AD and the assumed coastline during Roman times would have allowed it to protect a natural harbour in an area now part of Romney Marsh. The remains of the fort were investigated by Charles Roach Smith in 1850 and more recently by
Barry Cunliffe from 1976–78. In both cases, they discovered evidence from excavations to suggest that there was earlier occupation with military connotations, most notably Classis Britannica.
Roach Smith found an altar – later dated to c.135 AD and dedicated to Neptune by Aufidius Pantera – reused in the foundations of the main east gate of the later fort, along with tiles stamped CL BR. Cunliffe also found an uninscribed altar in his re-excavation of the main east gate and describes the quantity of early Romano-British pottery found as “significant”.
Geophysical work carried out at the fort in 2015-16 produced evidence suggesting a previously unknown structure close to the main east gate. It seemed reasonable to investigate this possible structure for additional evidence of a second century AD occupation – Historic England and the landowner agreed. The objective was set for excavation – establish if the geophysical evidence was indeed a structure, and if it was a source of, or contemporary with, the Classis Britannica material discovered by Roach Smith and Cunliffe, thereby strengthening the case for an earlier phase of the fort’s Roman past.
Historic England granted site director, Malcolm Davies, license to excavate a 5-metre x 1-metre trench in an east-west direction, centred at 611855 134213 that aimed at uncovering the probable western wall of the structure and areas both inside and outside of its theorized projection. On 5 May members of SHAL began de-turfing the area (fig 1) and carefully divided the trench into ten equal compartments.
Over the next two days, members of the SHAL, accompanied by members of the Shorne Woods Archaeological Group, carefully excavated the trench revealing some unexpected archaeology (see fig 2).
By late afternoon of day 1, ragstone of various shapes and sizes began to emerge through a context of light brown silty and sandy clay (context numbers 002 & 003).
Within these contexts, a mixture of post-medieval finds (pottery, bone, coal and clay pipe) mixed with a small amount of probable Roman finds (tegula fragments, pottery and a hobnail) were found. Towards the west of the trench, a substantial ragstone block (context no. 005) also began to emerge (fig 3).
Top
Fig 1: De-turfing on Day 1
Right top
Fig 2: Careful excavation of the trench in small areas
Right middle
Fig 3: Careful revealing of structure 005 on Day 1
Right bottom
Fig 4: West end of trench looking north and showing structure 005 and (possible) cut 006, at the end of Day 2
By Day 2, the trench continued to expose what we interpreted to be the geophysical anomaly; 005 was undoubtedly a large ragstone block that was (or had been) part of a structure. However, the purported interior (east of 005) appeared
In summary, while excavating within the parameters of Historic England’s instructions, the excavation did not reveal any evidence of earlier Roman occupation, but it did suggest the presence of a building of an unconfirmed date. The rubble to the east of 005 could be interpreted as in-situ building demolition, and it has undoubtedly been trampled and compacted, but no secure dating evidence for a demolition event could be found. A small test hole (0.15 x 0.15m, under Historic England supervision) was cut through the rubble, but no evidence of a floor surface was visible. The presence of Roman material stratified with (mostly) Victorian artefacts and compacted ragstone rubble (figs 5 & 6) around a large ragstone block or wall suggests considerable disturbance, which is hardly surprising at a site known for its soft soils, geological movement, nearby springs and the documented presence of livestock for over 150 years.
Alternatively, the excavation trench may have been sited over a camp or discard area associated with Roach Smith’s excavation of 1850. Given the proximity to the main east gate, this scenario could explain the geophysical results, along with the compaction of the ragstone and the quantity of Victoriana mixed with a small amount of (presumably discarded) Roman finds (see figs 7 & 8).
In either case, the excavation revealed no additional evidence of Classis Britannica at Stutfall Fort. Nevertheless, the SHAL Group gained first-hand experience of excavation and recording techniques, and their sights are now firmly set on researching the wider Roman landscape around Lympne.
Acknowledgements
Images of excavation courtesy of Simon Read.
Many thanks to Historic England and Richard Taylor for all permit and land permissions.
Bottom left
Fig 5: Trench looking east at end of Day 2
Top
Fig 6: Plan of excavation
Right middle
Fig 7: Selection of Victorian finds from contexts 001, 002 and 003: pottery; coal; clay pipe; bone and iron nails
Right bottom
Fig 8: Selection of Roman finds from contexts 001, 002 and 003: Tegula fragment; tufa fragment; 3rd Century AD abraded pot fragment and a hobnail
