Courses, Events, Teaching Aids
Excavations at Scadbury Moated Manor, Chislehurst
On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September the archaeological excavations at the medieval moated manor site at Scadbury will be open to the public. There will be a self guided trail around the excavations which will show the work that is currently being carried out on the site as well as the remains of the foundations of the buildings associated with the Walsingham family. Unlike many similar moated sites, the island is still completely surrounded by water. Members of the Orpington and District Archaeological Society (ODAS) will be on hand to answer any questions.
The site will be open to the public from 2.00 pm until 4.30 pm. There will also be a photographic display, refreshments and a bookstall.
Admission is free. Limited car parking is available close to the site, by ticket only, for which application should be made (enclosing a s.a.e. and stating for which day required) to: ODAS, 27 Eynsford Close, Petts Wood, Kent, BRS lDP.
Roman Villa at Abbey Farm, Minster-in-Thanet
This season of excavation at Abbey Farm looks set to be an exciting one. The discovery of Building 4 with a hypocausted room, remains of painted plaster and tesserae south east of the main villa building was an unexpected treat and this season we plan to revisit it to establish its nature and extent.
There is a bit more to explore between the wings of the villa and at the end of the eastern range. This will, we hope, give us a complete plan of the main villa building within its boundary walls. We also plan to revisit the boundary ditch partially excavated in 1999 and the corner of the boundary wall and the corn drier /latrine uncovered in 1997. If this is not enough to be going on with, we also plan to geophys the whole field to gain more information about the villa, its boundaries and any previous or subsequent occupation to the Romano-British period on the site.
Aside from the fieldwork, post excavation work has been proceeding at a steady pace. Most of the records have been computerised and a CAD plan of the villa is in progress. The report for the Bath House has almost been completed.
The finds have been processed, catalogued and are ready to be entered into the computer. Some of the finds have been assessed including the animal bone and the glass, which has been written up and drawn by Dr David Perkins. This has shown a wide variety of vessel and window glass mainly fragments of mould blown prismatic or cylindrical bottles but also cups or beakers, a jug and a base fragment from a cup or bowl decorated with a ring of finely ground oval facets.
For further details about this year's excavation please contact: David Bacchus.
Opportunities to Study Archaeology with the University of Kent
Archaeology can be studied at the University of Kent on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Degree programmes are run in the daytime on the University's Canterbury Campus in both Classical & Archaeological Studies and History & Archaeological Studies. Candidates can apply to follow the programmes on either a full or a part-time basis. Students choose combinations of courses drawn from the archaeology of Europe and the Mediterranean, and Ancient and Medieval History.
Part-time programmes in Archaeological Studies specifically for mature students are also run at Certificate, Diploma and Degree level in the evenings, at both the University's Canterbury Campus and its Centre in Tonbridge. Students usually start with the Certificate, then progressing to diploma and finally degree level study. Courses range from prehistoric studies and the archaeology of ancient civilisations to that of the medieval world. There will be intakes in September 2000 to the Certificate at Canterbury and the Diploma and Degree at both Tonbridge and Canterbury.
Applications are welcome from anyone who wishes to study archaeology at university level. Mature students need not have formal academic qualifications if they can demonstrate commitment to the discipline and the aptitude to study at the appropriate level.
For further information, please contact the Unit for Regional Learning, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NP. Tel: 0800 9753777 (24 hours). E-mail: part-time@ukc.ac.uk
University College London Field Archaeology Unit
Five/ two/ one day practical archaeology training courses at Barcombe Roman Villa, East Sussex, part of the first season of research and rescue excavations. Excavation Techniques, Timber-framed Buildings, Surveying for Archaeologists, Archaeological Planning & Section Drawing, On-site conservation. Brochure and application form available from website: www.archaeologyse.co.uk or send s.a.e. (1/3 A4 size) to Miss H Dixey, UCL Field Archaeology Unit.
The Faversham Society Open House Scheme
The Faversham Society Open House Scheme (the longest established event of its kind in the UK) takes place on Saturdays 7, 14 and 21 July. Most of the historic buildings participating (more than 15) are not normally open to the public. Among these are the Old Grammar School (1587), 40 Court Street (C16 with C18 front); 6 Market Place (C13-16); 1 Hugh Place (C16, part of original Fleur de Lis inn); Cooksditch (C18); Court Lodge, Oare (C16-18); Catholic Church (C19-20, painting by Edward Ardizzone); Ospringe Church (C12-19); Goodnestone Church (C12, CCT); Kingsdown Church (E W Ougin, 1865, CCT); and Luddenham Church (C12-15, recently restored by CCT). Cars needed for the last four churches: all other properties within easy walking distance of town centre (M2, 1 mile) and Faversham Station (London Victoria 70 minutes, half-hourly). Faversham is a richly rewarding historic town, with nearly 500 listed buildings. Programmes (with full descriptive notes on each building) admit to all properties, may be used on more than one Saturday: available on the day, price £5, at the Faversham Society HQ the Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre, 10-13 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8NS (10795 534542), or in advance by post from late May, price £6 (cwo, please). All proceeds to the Society, run by 100% voluntary effort. Chart Gunpowder Mills (oldest in the world), Maison Dieu, Ospringe (c 1234 - additional charge), and Stone Church (ruin since C16, only church in UK to incorporate pagan Roman shrine) will also be open.