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Excavation will continue atSyndale in Stone Chapel Field(right) from July 30th toAugust 14th. The extent of theRoman town of Durolevumhas now been identified by theField School and excavationsin this field will continue toreveal about this importantsite. The chapel is a ruinedRoman building that wasextended in the Saxon periodand is unique in Britain. Themap dates from 1795 andshows Watling Street and theold road into Faversham.

Kent Archaeological Field SchoolSchool Farm Oast, Graveney Road,Faversham, Kent, ME13 8UPDirector: Dr Paul Wilkinson

Welcome to the Springissue of the KentArchaeological Field

School Newsletter. Our firstcourse, due to be held on 5th& 6th March, was supposed toinclude fieldwalking, but, asthe picture of the field school(right) shows, the fields were under a foot ofsnow! We had to cancel and most memberstransferred to the course on ‘DiscoveringArchaeological Sites’. Our Easter excavation

course was fullybooked for the firstweekend. The site, atBridge, revealed Anglo-Saxon graves from theseventh century. It wasthe experience of alifetime for many

people. As you all know, to excavate a site rich infinds — gold and silver artefacts, glassware,pottery, spears — is really as good as it can get.Do join us this summer on more superb courses.

KAFS Newsletter: No.2.Heard about

the dig atBridge?

Kent Archaeological Field School: Spring 2005

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F I E L D S C H O O L N E W S

Spring 2005

Our Easter dig thisyear focused oninvestigating apossible prehistoric

site at Star Hill, just tothe east of Bridge, near

Canterbury. On the first day, and withthe first spade cut, we found anAnglo-Saxon spear in an east-westorientated grave carved into the chalk.As the week unfolded, we uncovereda further eleven graves, all of whichrespected the profile of the hexagonfeature and and so must have beenmade after the feature. All the gravescontained many artefacts such as goldpendants (below), glass and amberbeads, buckles, knives, spears,scissors, cowrie shells, beautiful

glassware and decorated pottery. There were alsoabout sixty Anglo-Saxon silver coins (top left),they were dated by Andy, our metal detectorist, tothe seventh century.

We had gone to Bridge to investigate thehexagon-shaped feature that appears on aerialphotographs (above right). According to theNational Monument Record, held by EnglishHeritage, the hexagon feature had beeninterpreted as dating from the World War II, butour research indicated that it could date from thelate Iron-Age. We thought that it could not be a

World War II feature, as we had found a mapdating from the nineteenth century (above) whichshowed the hexagon feature and another one tothe south-east. Previous work by the Field Schoolhad uncovered part of the hexagon and retrievedIron-Age sherds of pottery from the fill. It wasalso noted that the ditch had been dug usingantler picks, not spades.

The seventh-century graves can be preciselydated by the Anglo-Saxon coins that we found.Also, some of the graves had been cut into the fillof the hexagon ditch, proving beyond any doubtthat the hexagon ditch pre-dates the seventh-century graves.

The graves are orientated east-west with thehead at the west end. This is usually thought of asa classic Christian position, because it ensuresthat when the imcumbant of the grave sits up onthe Day of Resurrection, and the first thing they

The gold pendant (left) ofbracteate form, circular with acruciform filigree pattern, wasfound still attached to the neckof a male skeleton. Close tohis right shoulder was a well-preserved spear.

The hexagon shape (aboveand right) is shown on this19th-century map by Vine in‘Caesar in Kent’. Vine thoughtit was a small fort, butexcavation by the KAFS hasshown it to be Roman.

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will see when their eyes open is the rising sun.However, the sun has been a powerful religioussymbol since the earliest times. In the Romanperiod, the sun was portrayed as one of the mostpowerful pagan gods, Sol or Sol Invictus.

Pagan gods influenced the east-west orientationof burials in the pre-Christian period. Sol or SolInvictus offered its devotees resurrection, just asthe Christian faith does. Interestingly, the festivalof the sun god’s birthday was held on 25thDecember. Maybe it is not a coincidence that weworship our Christian god on Sunday, namedafter Sol, who was also worshiped on this day.

If the graves are for Christian burials why theplethora of grave goods? Maybe the Anglo-Saxonswere hedging their bet.

F I E L D S C H O O L N E W S

Spring 2005

One of the pots (above) foundin the graves is wheel-turnedand decorated with a repeatpattern of classic Anglo-Saxondesign. It probably containedfood or drink.

Brooches of gold (above)similar to the finds at Bridgewere also found at Faversham‘home of the metalsmiths’.

Eleven Anglo-Saxon graveswere discovered abutting thehexagon feature. The graveshad been cut into the fill ofthe hexagon ditch so mustpost-date it. The students arelying the same way as the

burials were found, with theirheads to the west. Mostburials had grave goods. Laidby the feet of the women werea bag of silver coins, cowrieshells, spindle weights, shears,keys, and a small knife.

The hexagon feature is a fineexample of Roman survey,utilising levels and geometry.It was probably used for ahigh-status cremation. Thelocation is superb, and visiblefrom the main Roman road.

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the Roman world. After the Romans, otherwaves of traders and invaders came to Spainand left their imprint, especially the Moors,whose mosques and palaces we will explore.We will stay in a converted palace in Ecija for 6nights and a lovely hotel in Jerez for 2 nights.The tour costs £1,640 per person (single £1,815).

September 17th to 24th, Pompeii and the Bay ofNaplesThis trip includes guided tours ofthe well-preserved Roman towns ofPompeii and Herculaneum. We willalso visit Cumae, Baiae, Pozzuoli,Oplontis and the Greek temples atPaestum, there is a day trip to theisle of Capri, to see the VillaJovis, and a visit to Naplesarchaeological museum. We willstay in Ravello, an elegantresort on the Amalfi coast. Thetrip costs £1,400 per person(single £1,645).

October 15th to 22nd, Rome andRavenna — Roman and Early Christian MosaicsA tour that reveals the mosaics of ancient andmedieval Italy. This two-centre trip will take usto some of the hidden gems of Rome andRavenna. We will explore the early Christianarchitecture of Ravenna and see some of the

best early Christian mosaics in the world. Thenwe fly to Rome where we will discover some ofthe magnificent mosaics surviving in smallchurches as well as in major collections, such asthe Vatican museum. The tour costs £1,465 perperson (single £1,745).

Prices include flights, b&b, dinner, most lunches, entrancefees and coach travel. For further details and to book seewww.romanholidays.co.uk or call 01795 532548.

June 18th to June 25th, Roman ProvenceA wonderful combinationof beautiful Provencalscenery, the relaxedambience of lovely townsand some of the mostspectacular Roman remains inEurope make this anincredibly exciting holiday. Wewill stay at a historic hotel inthe centre of Arles, regarded asthe Rome of the north at the timeof the Roman Empire. We willguide you to the Roman remainsof Arles, Pont du Gard, Nimes,Glanum, Orange, and Vaison-la-Romaine. The trip costs £1,247 per person(single £1,492).

September 4th to 12th,Roman and MoorishSpainA two-centre tour ofthe amazing ruins in the towns andcountryside ofsouthern Spain. Wewill unravel the richcultural heritage ofthe region as wevisit Italica, the firstRoman settlementon the Iberianpeninsula. We willtravel through thearea that became

Baetica in 19 BC. The province grew wealthyby producing oil, wine, metals, and wheat for

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in rural Kent (see below). We will concentrate onthe eastern end. Beginners are welcome on theMonday to Friday courses, with the option tocontinue for further days (same daily fee applies).Experienced participants may book the days theywish. Topics taught each day are: Monday:History of the Site & Why dig? Tuesday:Excavation Techniques; Wednesday: Site Survey;Thursday: Archaeological Recording; Friday:Small Finds Recording. KAFS member’s specialfee £30 per day, non-members £35 per day.

June 18th to June 25th, Roman ProvenceSee page four for details.

July 2nd & 3rd, Geophysical Surveying forArchaeologistsA course on the theory and practice ofgeophysical survey. Methods from basic opticalsite levels to laser technology, resistivity and

May Bank Holiday 28th, 29th, 30th, Surveying forArchaeologistsArchaeological survey plays a vital role infieldwork. It provides a framework for detailedrecording and helps us to analyse a site. Manymethods, from the correct use of basic optical sitelevels to laser technology, will be taught by GesMoody from the Trust for Thanet Archaeologyand Paul Wilkinson. Practical exercises will takeplace at Stone Chapel, a unique Roman andAnglo-Saxon building.

June 4th to 17th, Further Excavation of a RomanBuilding at Hog BrookThis year we will spend two weeks excavatingand recording a high-status Roman building atHog Brook near Faversham. The aisled buildingwas discovered by KAFS archaeologists last yearand was previously unknown. It is the largest andmost spectacular aisled stone building ever found

F I E L D S C H O O L C O U R S E S

Spring 2005

KAFS two-day courses cost £70, three-day courses cost £105. Unless otherwise stated,KAFS members enjoy a 10% discount on full prices, except field trips. To book, fill in the

form on page 8. For further details of courses and membership, see: www.kafs.co.uk

The reconstruction of thebuilding is based on what wasfound through excavation andcomparison with similarRoman buildings elsewhere.Until now it was thought thatsuch rural aisled barns werebuilt in timber, but we foundan intact masonry columnthat had fallen over when thebuilding was destroyed.Thisreveals that the building wasbuilt of stone, not timber, andit had twenty stone columns.

Hog Brook Roman Villa —reconstruction of the

warehouse

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Ground Penetrating Radar will be taught.Practical exercises will take place at Syndale, our late summer excavation site.

July 9th & 10th, Interpreting the Roman VillaCourse led by Paul Wilkinson author of RomanVillas in Kent. The course will concentrate on howand why villas played such an important part inthe Roman landscape. We will visit the Romanvillas at Lullingstone, Fishbourne and Bignor.

July 16th & 17th, An Introduction to ArchaeologyWe shall look at how archaeological sites arediscovered and find out how different types offinds, such as human bones and prehistoric flints,reveal the lives of former peoples. This coursewill be run with History Today magazine. Anyoneover the age of 11 years old is welcome, but under16s must be accompanied by an adult.

July 30th to August 14th, Excavation at Syndale, Siteof the Roman Town of DurolevumThe site of the lost Roman town of Durolevum isnow established at Syndale, near Faversham. Thetown appears in the Antonine Itinerary, but itslocation was later forgotten, until it was re-discovered and confirmed as the site of the townby the activities of the Kent Archaeological FieldSchool. This year we will spend two weeks

excavating and recording Roman buildings on thewest side of the town, in the area called StoneChapel Field. Stone Chapel is a scheduledmonument and is a Roman building attached to alater Anglo-Saxon church. The building wasexcavated in the 1970s by Meates of LullingstoneVilla fame. Beginners are welcome on theMonday to Friday courses, with the option tocontinue for further days (same daily fee applies).Experienced participants may book the days theywish. Topics taught each day are: Monday:History of the Site & Why dig? Tuesday:Excavation Techniques; Wednesday: Site Survey;Thursday: Archaeological Recording; Friday:Small Finds Recording. KAFS member’s specialfee £30 per day, non-members £35 per day.

August 20th & 21st, Roman Building Techniques andMaterialsAn intensive course on Roman buildings andRoman building material to be found in earlyChristian churchs in Kent. In the afternoons we

Summer 2005

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will visit St Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury,Richborough and the Dover Pharos and a numberof East Kent churches including Lower Halstow,Teynham, and Stone Chapel.

August Bank Holiday 27th, 28th, 29th, IdentifyingField Systems and BoundariesWe can trace the history of the landscape bystudying the development of field and parishboundaries. During the course of the three dayswe will trace, excavate and record a new site inthe very best traditions of Time-Team. This is arecently identified, enigmatic, field and parishboundary at Bax Farm that runs for 22km anddivides Kent.

September 3rd & 4th, Geology for ArchaeologistsAn intensive course on the geology of the south-east. Archaeologists need to understand the localrocks and soils if they are to completely evaluatean archaeological site. There will be field trips inthe afternoons to Pegwell Bay and the cliffs ofReculver. Course led by Peter Golding.

September 4th to 12th, Roman and Moorish SpainIn association with History Today magazine.See page four for details.

September 17th & 18th, Natural History: Habitats ofPrehistoric KentOver the centuries, human activities have shapedand altered our landscape. We will consider thechanges in land use, the different types of

farming, and see how the pressures of a risingpopulation have affected the natural environmentof East Kent over the last two thousand years.The course will be led by John Weavers, aspecialist in landscape studies and the weekendwill include afternoon field trips.

September 17th to 24th, Pompeii and the Bay ofNaplesIn association with BBC History magazine.See page four for details.

October 1st & 2nd, Bones and BurialsOsteo-archaeology is the study of human remains.The course will be led by Trevor Anderson,consultant to Canterbury Archaeological Trust,who has appeared on Meet the Ancestors. Thecourse will cover the on-site recording of humanremains and how they can reveal informationabout the person’s age, sex and state of health.Excavated skeletons will be available for studyand analysis in practical sessions.

October 8th & 9th, Archaeological DrawingA beginner’s and refresher course introducingparticipants to drawing archaeological artefacts.The reasons for drawing artefacts and theprinciples of archaeological illustration will betaught. There will be practical sessions each daydemonstrating how to illustrate pottery, bone,metal and other artefacts found on archaeologicalsites. Course led by Jane Russell, who was seniorillustrator of the UCL Field Archaeology Unit.

Autumn 2005

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KAFS COURSE BOOKING FORMName of Course…………………………………….......................................................................................Date of Course………………………………………Your Name……………………………………………Address……………………………………………….………………………………………………………….........…………………………………………………..Postcode…………………Tel No................................E-mail address..............................................................I enclose a cheque (payable to KAFS) for…………Please send me a KAFS membership form

Return this form to:–The Kent Archaeological Field School,School Farm Oast, Graveney Road, Faversham,Kent ME13 8UP. Tel: 01795 532548 Website: www.kafs.co.uk E-mail: info@kafs.co.ukPlease note that courses are bookable in advance only and arenon-refundable or transferable. Member’s 10% discount does notapply to special fees and field trips. Children over 14 and under16 years old are welcome on courses, but must be accompaniedby an adult; under-16s are not allowed on excavations.

To become a member andenjoy a 10% discount oncourses plus a subscription

to Practical Archaeology,tick the box on the right andthe forms will be sent to you,or download them from ourwebsite — www.kafs.co.uk.

October 15th to 22nd, Rome and Ravenna — Romanand Early Christian MosaicsSee page four for details.

October 29th & 30th, How to Identify Roman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval PotteryThe course, led by MoLSS tutors, will introducestudents to the practical problems of identifyingRoman, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval pottery. Thetypes of pottery from each period will bedescribed and examples will be available for

examination. An ideal course for those who wantto distinguish the many types of pottery found onBritish sites.

November 5th & 6th, Bronze-Age Axe and PotteryWorkshopOn Saturday, this workshop will explore manyaspects of bronze age metal working, with thesmelting of copper and tin ores. Each person willwork on their own axes. On Sunday, we will fireour own prehistoric ‘beaker’ using bronze agemethods and learn how to build a simple kiln tofire your own pot at a later date. Course led byNeil Burridge a specialist in bronze age crafts.

November 26th & 27th, Meet Your AncestorsA course designed to enable you to research yourfamily tree. Genealogy is the study of your pastand this weekend course will enable you to findout who your ancestors were.

Winter 2005

F I E L D S C H O O L C O U R S E S