9.2. SOUTHERN COUNTIES (EAST)

BERKSHIRE

(1) Reading, Reading Golf Club, Kidmore End Road, Emmer Green (SU 7170 7673): excavations¹²⁰ in advance of a residential development on the former golf course investigated two sites, one of Middle Bronze Age date and the other of Roman date. A modest volume of Roman features suggested the presence of a farmstead of low status, but with the caveat that a more extensive range of deposits is expected to be found further to the south of the excavated area beyond the development site's boundary. The chronology of the deposits revealed is typical for the region with a commencement early in the first century a.d. and continuing into the third century a.d., but not necessarily much later.

EAST SUSSEX

(1) Ringmer, Bridge Farm, Wellingham (TQ4321 1449): the twelfth season of investigations¹²¹ saw a return to Trench 7, which was opened in 2018 and extended in 2020 to give an open area 1400 m².¹²² Nine deep pits were excavated, adding to the 18 already opened. A further six significant anomalies remain to be investigated (fig. 34). Work continued on several features opened in 2022, including a 4 m wide irregular ovoid pit (F54A) where a deposit of 8 fragile cattle mandibles was uncovered at a depth of 1 m. The waterlogged base of pit F48B revealed loose timbers and leather fragments, as well as the corner of a timber frame. Further work on this possible timber-framed well will continue in 2024. Previous years recovered rows of large post-holes along the north-east edge of the east–west road running through the south-western side of the trench, but with only one row heading off at right-angles. The extended trench produced another group of 7 smaller, shallow post-hole bases (F62) forming a right-angle. It remains unclear whether these are the earth-fast posts of buildings or represent enclosures around commercial or industrial areas. Whilst the features demonstrate activity within the double-ditched enclosure,¹²³ this appears more industrial than residential. Nevertheless, the wide range of artefacts found to date suggests that the site had a considerable population despite the lack of clearly residential buildings.

FIG. 34. Ringmer. Plan showing the location of Trench 7 and features 48B and 54A against geophysical anomalies.

A find of particular note was a green glass intaglio with a ‘trophy of arms’ design of possibly first-century a.d. date¹²⁴ (fig. 35).

FIG. 35. Ringmer, Bridge Farm. Green glass intaglio (SF 7.588). (Photograph from the Culver Archaeological Project Archive)

KENT

(1) Ashford, a) Chilmington Green (TQ 9708 4054): excavation¹²⁵ ahead of a mixed development revealed ditches and pits. The more regular ditches formed three separate alignments, nearly parallel to the course of a postulated road running towards the Romano-British settlement at Westhawk Farm. A possible ditched enclosure, containing post-hole structures, a scatter of pits, at least four keyhole-shaped hearths or furnace bottoms and a deep well, was on a similar alignment. The lower fills of the well held a possible ‘closure’ deposit yielding over 1,000 pot sherds, with several whole or near complete vessels, dated a.d. 140 or later. Subsequent backfills may have been as late as the second half of the third century, although general occupation probably did not last much beyond the second century.

b) Land South of M20, Church Lane, Aldington (TR 07575 38043): an evaluation¹²⁶ revealed features of the late Iron Age–early Roman ‘transition’ period in all the areas, with apparent focal points of activity in the central and in the south-eastern parts of the site. The features were represented mainly by ditches (probable field boundaries) and pits. Later Romano-British contexts were evenly distributed in the northern and central parts of the study area. The most notable features of this period were three possible sunken-featured buildings with associated post-holes. These structures were most probably ancillary buildings associated with farming and the processing of grains. Other features included post-holes, ditches and a possible midden dump consisting of animal bone, fragments of highly abraded pottery, ceramic building material and fired clay. It has been hypothesised that the waste was brought in from the probable Roman villa site c. 1 km to the south. The site provided evidence of low-scale farming and industry, associated with the potential villa.

(2) Faversham (TR 02785 59835): an evaluation comprising 23 test pits and 107 trial trenches¹²⁷ in advance of proposed large-scale urban expansion to the south-east of Faversham. The evaluation included three Areas of Archaeological Interest (AAI) which were identified as having high potential by a preceding geophysical survey. AAI1, in the south-western part of the site, contained part of a settlement spanning the first century b.c. to first century a.d. A series of enclosures and a possible trackway were identified on the geophysical survey, and trenches revealed ditches, pits and the burial of a newborn infant. The finds included briquetage and a variety of local and imported pottery, suggestive of a settlement involved in salt-processing and with access to relatively high-status material culture. AAI2, in the south-eastern part of the site, contained a series of large ditches dating to the late Iron Age or early Roman period. These form part of a lesser concentration of features and finds of this date, spread along the southern edge of the evaluation area. AAI3, in the central-western part of the site, revealed a cluster of features which seem to represent the southern part of a later prehistoric to early Roman settlement. In 2007, a previous excavation to the north at Step Cottage (Selling Road) recorded a high density of middle Iron Age to the early Roman features, including a pottery kiln. The 2022 evaluation recorded a dispersed group of late Bronze Age and Iron Age ditches and pits. In addition, one large group of late Iron Age or early Roman pottery was recovered from a ditch in AAI3 and is thus broadly contemporary with the Step Cottage finds.

(3) Graveney with Goodnestone: a hoard¹²⁸ of two gold solidi of Arcadius (mint of Milan, RIC X no. 1205), deposited c. a.d. 394–402 or later.

(4) Minster, Land West of Tothill Street (TR 3075 6545): an initial evaluation¹²⁹ uncovered a concentration of Roman features, such as field enclosure ditches and quarry pits in the north-eastern corner of the site, conforming to the earlier geophysical and archaeological evidence. A subsequent excavation revealed further, considerable evidence of Roman occupation divided into three phases. The earliest phase was represented by field systems, roadside ditches along a Romano-British trackway, possible votive pits, and domestic rubbish pits. The second phase was best defined by the construction of a precinct wall (a.d. 120–200) and associated pitting. To both the north and south, ditches were dug at perpendicular angles to the walled area, continuing the division of land. The finds recovered from the associated pits indicate that they were used in grain-processing, iron-working and animal husbandry. Due to limited evidence the function of the walled area is still open to interpretation, but an alternative theory suggests that the precinct represented a small temple complex. A large sub-circular feature identified as a possible sinkhole was found to the north of the precinct wall. Although the fills of this feature contained prehistoric flints, there was evidence of backfilling during the Romano-British period as well. The primary fill contained the remains of at least three different dogs, a cattle vertebral column, and a cattle humerus, indicating possible structured deposition of ‘votive’ or ‘ritual’ character, rather than representing rubbish disposal. Several sunken-featured buildings located along the trackway were also assigned to the second phase. The latest evidence of Roman activity was associated with chalk quarrying, clamp kilns and demolition of the precinct wall in the second century. Post-excavation work is ongoing.

(5) Ramsgate, Manston Green (TR 3591 6597): excavation¹³⁰ ahead of residential development revealed field-systems and small-scale settlement across a number of sites, indicating complex Late Iron Age/early Romano-British activity. The remains were mainly ditches/gullies, many of which formed two trackways which converged to run along the edge of a low ridge. A Late Iron Age/Early Roman roundhouse was identified, of a somewhat peculiar sunken form, together with a large Roman period rectangular sunken-featured building of a type commonly found elsewhere on Thanet. Also recorded were a number of post-holes and pits, with one substantial brickearth quarry.

(6) Teynham, Frognal Lane (TQ 9451 6273): excavation¹³¹ in advance of residential development uncovered a Roman funerary complex situated within a walled enclosure with outer precinct boundary ditch. Features included a mausoleum, 12 externally placed cremation burials, and a monument base, dated to the late first to third centuries a.d. This complex flanked the northern side of Roman ‘Watling Street’, demarcated by a roadside ditch. Two boundary ditches, perpendicular to the road, lay either side of the outer precinct. Adjacent to a well, a rectangular clay- and oak-lined water tank was connected to the western ditch via a short drainage leat. A statue of a triton with ketos, sculpted in the round in high quality Hassock stone, was found laid front down above a pyre deposit burnt within the tank. The head of the triton, which had been separated from its body immediately before placement, was recovered in the same feature. The right arm was broken off but had not been buried with the body and head. The statue was found in pristine condition with little sign of weathering and is likely to have been removed from the central mausoleum and buried before its demolition. A copper alloy coin of Constantine I, of a.d. 333, was recovered from the demolition rubble of the central mausoleum, providing a terminus post quem for this event. Another sculptural fragment, in Marquis oolitic limestone, possibly representing drapery, was also recovered from within the mausoleum.

(7) Wye, Cyster Wetlands Scheme (TR 055 483): evaluation¹³² ahead of a proposed new wetlands scheme explored a small Romano-British settlement, partially excavated in 1972. Two or three masonry buildings were identified, with finds and environmental remains suggestive of domestic activity, including cookery. The pottery suggests activity was taking place largely in the first and second centuries a.d., but a small quantity of later third- and fourth-century material was also recovered. Traces of Romano-British field systems were identified outside the area of the buildings.

SURREY

(1) Chobham: a hoard¹³³ of 19 poorly preserved silver denarii, deposited c. a.d. 194–7 or later: Mark Antony, 1; Nerva, 1; Trajan, 1; Hadrian, 2; Antoninus Pius, 2; Marcus Aurelius Caesar, 1; Faustina I, 1; Faustina II, 1; Faustina II under Marcus Aurelius, 1; Septimius Severus, 1; Uncertain ruler, 7.

(2) Send, Burnt Common Nurseries, (TQ 03498 54362): an evaluation¹³⁴ of 39 trenches was undertaken on a 3 ha parcel of land. Archaeological features were found in 17 trenches, comprising ditches, pits and curvilinear gullies. The ditches do not correspond with features shown on historic mapping so potentially represent earlier enclosure systems or field boundaries. The curvilinear gullies are interpreted as potential roundhouse gullies and the ‘pits’ in the immediate vicinity of the gullies are possibly associated structural post-holes. Locally produced pottery from the first and early second centuries a.d. was identified in one of the gullies and three of the ditches. While the rest of the features remain undated or unexcavated their locations and alignments in relation to dateable features suggest they are also likely to be Romano-British in date. Together, the dated and undated features point to both agricultural and settlement activity, perhaps indicating the location of a small farmstead.

WEST SUSSEX

(1) Bognor Regis: a hoard¹³⁵ of 17 silver denarii, deposited c. a.d. 218–22: Mark Antony, 2; Otho, 1; Vitellius, 1; Vespasian, 2; Domitian as Caesar under Vespasian, 1; Trajan, 1; Pertinax, 2; Septimius Severus joint reign with Caracalla (Severus, 2; Julia Domna, 1; Caracalla, 4); Elagabalus, 1. The absence of Antonine period coins suggests two or more separate coin deposits (up to Trajan and from Pertinax), but these groupings are uncertain due to the scattered ploughsoil context. Two coins in the latter group were found fused together.

(2) Chichester, Westhampnett, Rolls-Royce site extension (SU 88783 06738): a watching brief and a 57-trench evaluation¹³⁶ in advance of a proposed extension of the Rolls-Royce works. Significant evidence for settlement began in the middle to late Iron Age as evidenced by a small number of ditches and associated pits. This activity continued into the early Roman period, during which a complex of rectilinear ditched enclosures was established. This activity continued through to the late Roman period, shifting to the south-east, closer to the Roman road (Stane Street) delineating the south-east margin of the site. Given the proximity to the adjacent Roman road, it is likely that the site developed into a small roadside settlement to exploit the passing trade in and out of Noviomagus Reginorum (Chichester). There was no evidence for any significant post-Roman activity.

(3) Climping, Brookpit Lane (TQ 00632 01532): a detailed gradiometer survey¹³⁷ was conducted on an 11.4 ha parcel of land. The survey identified archaeological activity pertaining to a settlement bounded by a ditched (and at points double-ditched) enclosure. A trackway ran through the centre, and further trackways were seen outside of the settlement. In the north, the settlement is characterised by densely spaced, ditched, rectilinear features, internally sub-divided into smaller areas, likely habitation features. The south of the settlement consists of a large enclosure with internal subdivisions and an area of possible industrial activity. Both areas contain possible hearths or areas of burning, as well as pit features likely used for rubbish disposal or as post-holes. More enclosures, likely used for animal management, are seen to the south-west, south and north-east of the settlement. Pit features, either used for rubbish disposal or small-scale extraction, have been identified outside the settlement. North-east of the settlement is a ring ditch. This is likely to be a roundhouse gully or enclosure dating anywhere from the Bronze Age to the Romano-British period. Given the regular, mainly rectilinear morphology of the settlement and the Romano-British settlement discovered in a field to the north, it is likely that this is an enclosed multi-phase settlement and associated field-systems possibly of Romano-British date. However, given the surrounding medieval history of the area, continued use into the medieval period may have occurred. Further investigation would be needed to date the settlement and associated features accurately.