Wealden Archaeology
Active archaeological research continues in the Weald with the Wealden Archaeological Fieldwork Group, with old sites being re-investigated and new ones recorded. Finds range in date from Palaeolithic implements to Second World War debris. The area of interest extends from Ulcombe in the north to Sandhurst in the south.
The Roman roads and associated sites in the area are a source of continuing interest, particularly the iron working sites both prehistoric and Roman. Figure 1 shows the principal Wealden sites discovered and recorded by our small fieldworking group. Site 1 is the amended route for Margary Road 131 with a possible branch road to an ironworking site at Romden, Smarden. Sites 2 and 3 are a new Roman rural settlement found at Ulcombe and a Roman site in Headcorn both dating to the 2nd -3rd centuries AD. A possible branch road leaving the Roman road south of Staplehurst is also a possibility.
Site 4 is the Little Farningham, near Cranbrook, Roman iron working site reported on in Arch. Cant. CXXI 2001, where the first evidence for iron smelting hearths was recorded as well as the correct line of Margary Road 13. Site 5 is Benenden School where a possible crossroads formed by the east-west and north-south Roman roads was found in the grounds (NGR 801337), which may explain the finds made here in the 1970s. Finally, 6 is the impressive section of iron slagged Roman road exposed in a stream between Sandhurst and Bodiam.
The Ulcombe parish historic sites are shown in Figure 2, which gives an impression of what can be revealed within a survey of a virtually unexplored part of Kent.
The exploratory excavations at the Roman rural settlement at Ulcombe and the Headcorn Roman sites have produced a large amount of pottery and other material finds. This is yet to be fully reported on. A number of the finds suggest that these sites were a continuation of Pre-Roman settlements. For example, complete examples of Iron Age annular glass beads of Hanging Langford and South Harting types from the interior floors of 2nd century AD Roman timber buildings. It is interesting to note that both sites have also produced Iron Age features associated with metalworking. In February 2002 a small test trench excavated within a dark patch in Ulcombe field south of Jubilee Corner (NGR 83854660), revealed no fewer than 6 Iron Age smelting hearths set into a large ditch thus showing the possible future potential for prehistoric Wealden archaeology in this area.
In Benenden the well-known two jet and a single faience bead at her neck.
The discovery of human remains at North Foreland can provide insight into both the sacred and secular aspects of Iron Age life, death and regeneration. This evidence is further supported by the discovery of a horse bridle bit and an inverted bovine skull within other smaller pits nearby. Such discoveries have commonly been interpreted as representing ceremonial offerings at other contemporary settlement locations.
In another large pit tool marks on the sides have suggested that a metal implement, possibly an adze, was used to cut these deep features. Similar tool marks have been found in pits on sites such as Danebury. Due to the importance of this discovery casts have been taken which will enable further research to be conducted. The discovery of a large post hole at the base of the pit appears to be unparalleled at North Foreland and may have contained a structure linked to some totemic purpose.
Further work is expected on this important site and research will continue to provide more information on the organisation and activities of the North Foreland settlement.
Emma Boast
Director, Trust for Thanet Archaeology
The section of Roman road exposed after erosion of the river bank near Sandhurst.
returned to the site again in 2003 to excavate a previously unexposed area of the settlement and to strip and map most of the remaining portion of the sub rectangular enclosure ditch and its immediate vicinity. A number of pits and postholes were excavated to the west and south of the enclosure. One large pit may have been used for mixing daub for use within wattle structures. The remains of clay and chalk silt with rod impressions were excavated from the bottom of this pit. This same pit was partially backfilled with midden material and then used for the burial of an adult female with two jet and a single faience bead at her neck.
The discovery of human remains at North Foreland can provide insight into both the sacred and secular aspects of Iron Age life, death and regeneration. This evidence is further supported by the discovery of a horse bridle bit and an inverted bovine skull within other smaller pits nearby. Such discoveries have commonly been interpreted as representing ceremonial offerings at other contemporary settlement locations.
In another large pit tool marks on the sides have suggested that a metal implement, possibly an adze, was used to cut these deep features. Similar tool marks have been found in pits on sites such as Danebury. Due to the importance of this discovery casts have been taken which will enable further research to be conducted. The discovery of a large post hole at the base of the pit appears to be unparalleled at North Foreland and may have contained a structure linked to some totemic purpose.
Further work is expected on this important site and research will continue to provide more information on the organisation and activities of the North Foreland settlement.
Emma Boast
Director, Trust for Thanet Archaeology