Excavations and Fieldwork Grants
by P. J. Tester, F.S.A.
Since 1971, the Kent Archaeological Society has made grants to assist undertakings in the county to a total of £5,220. This has been dispersed, after due consideration by the Fieldwork Committee, in sums varying from £25 to the Thameside Archaeological Group to £2,400 granted to help finance the Dover excavations directed by Mr. B.J. Philp. A large number of organizations and individuals have benefited in this way, and it is hoped that the financial state of the Society will allow a continuation of the practice.
In the current year, the following grants have been made:
MAIDSTONE AREA ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP has been awarded £100 to help with the excavation of a Roman building at Snodland, under the direction of Mr. A.C. Harrison. An account of earlier work on this site was published by Mr. M.A. Ocock and Mr. J.E. Sydell in Arch. Cant. lxxxii.
KENT UNDERGROUND RESEARCH GROUP will receive £300 to purchase necessary surveying and safety equipment for the work of this newly formed organization of the K.A.S.
GRAVESEND HISTORICAL SOCIETY has been given £150 for photographic and other equipment used in connection with an aerial survey conducted by means of a kite operated by P. Connolly and A. Ridgers - a novel venture with interesting possibilities.
An early experimental example of the results obtained using this new technique of aerial photography; Milton Church in the foreground and the River Thames and Tilbury Power Station in the background.
An early experimental example of the results obtained using this new technique of aerial photography: Milton Church in the foreground and the River Thames and Tilbury Power Station in the background.
FAWKHAM AND ASH ARCHAEOLOGICAL GROUP will be assisted by a grant of £250 towards the cost of an aerial survey of the Longfield valley, an area of considerable archaeological potential.
THE BADEN POWELL QUATERNARY RESEARCH CENTRE, OXFORD. Two post-graduate research students, N. Barton and R. Holgate, are to receive £200 towards financing their field-walking survey of areas in Kent likely to provide evidence of Upper Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic settlement. These periods have been hitherto sadly neglected in the archaeological record of our county.
MRS. J. EDISON has received £150 to assist with her researches into the controversial subject of the development of Romney Marsh.
MR. F.H. THOMPSON will be assisted by a grant of £150 towards a research excavation being undertaken under the auspices of the K.A.S. at the Iron Age Hillfort at Oldbury, near Ightham.
Long time K.A.S. member Phillip Connolly restrains his kite in one hand and holds camera and stabilizing platform in the other.
Any application for grants for work in the year 1984 should be made to the Hon. General Secretary by 1st November 1983.
