Archaeology in Orpington
The idea of forming the Orpington & District Archaeological Society was first mooted in February 1975 by a group of amateur archaeologists then active in the Orpington Museum Helpers Group, as being a useful asset to the archaeological research in the Orpington area. The reason for forming the society was to bridge the gap left by existing groups in the area. The Local History Society adequately covered recent local history, and the local museum, as now, performed admirably as far as its limited resources allowed. The group considered that, as the area was proving archaeologically rich and was about to suffer greatly from increased development, a new active society was a necessity. At this time the group's archaeological interest was focused on the Poverest Road site under the direction of Mrs Susann Palmer, Curator of Orpington's Museum.
The founder members considered that the organization of this new society should be more rigid than is normal in small groups and thus a comprehensive constitution was drafted which provided a sound basis for a unified and cohesive society. Thus ODAS came into being and the records show that as 1975 closed our membership was in excess of 45. The objectives of the constitution were implemented by the training of our members, organizing lectures and outings, and encouraging members to attend evening classes on archaeology. We had become affiliated members of the KAS, CKA and CBA.
Now established, ODAS over the last 7 years has maintained these activities and consolidated its position with other societies. It has consistently sent representatives to attend conferences and AGM's organized by KAS and CKA, and our experienced diggers have attended digs run by local and county societies. Special displays have been mounted at fairs and shops publicizing ourselves and attracting new members. ODAS, as an excavating society has gained immensely from the knowledge and experience of new techniques learned by our members and put into practice in Orpington.
Keeping our membership well informed has always been ODAS policy and from the start Newsletter catered for this need, culminating in our present magazine Archives. Currently we have an enthusiastic membership of about 90, most of whom attend our monthly meetings. An important year for us was 1979. At the previous AGM approval was given to increase the size of the Executive Committee and to create the posts of Field and Publicity Officers. It was a sign of the times, for soon the committee was examining our role in local archaeology, the outcome of which was two major decisions. Firstly, the appointment of a Project Coordinator, in providing the means for harnessing individual efforts, and secondly, prodded into life by our Field Officer, a coherent policy for fieldwork, excavation and research.
The strategy paid off for a whole series of projects are now run and researched by individual members all of which contribute to our main objective - the Upper Cray Valley Project. When completed we intend to publish a comprehensive view of this area during the various archaeological/historical periods. A project set up by Mike Fortune to carry out a detailed fabric analysis of local coarse pottery ware was awarded £100 by Lloyds Bank towards the cost of a stereo microscope.
Two ODAS members acquainting themselves with the new Zeiss level and surveying equipment.
Over the past couple of years our field activities have been hampered by the lack of survey equipment. The need became urgent earlier this year when we were presented with the opportunity of surveying the moated manor site at Scadbury, Chislehurst. As a level and its accoutrements are expensive to buy ODAS applied to KAS for a grant. We were delighted that our application was approved and are grateful to KAS for their help which enabled us to buy a Zeiss level, ranging poles and measuring tapes. Although we like to be independent we appreciate County support and I am sure that as ODAS makes its mark in Kent archaeology its members will participate more and more in KAS affairs.
Barrie Bull
