Curator’s Update

Since the last newsletter I’ve been particularly busy arranging our upcoming metal detecting event in partnership with LEGISE taking place on the 25th October. Alongside this I’ve been giving, or am scheduled to give, a number of public talks to local metal detecting groups and archaeological societies, primarily on the Society’s Ozengell Early Medieval Collection as well as my role as KAS Curator. I will also be giving a talk on the Vikings in Kent at Maidstone Museum on Friday 17th October which has proven rather popular. Do get in touch if you would be interested in a talk to your school, group or society.

Work has continued processing the flintwork from the Lees Court Estate ready for specialist analysis once funding can be secured. Post-excavation work also continues on the Front Brents community excavation which took place at the end of May. All the finds have been quantified and weighed, and the report is being produced as we speak. A big thank you to Harry Farmer at Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA)’s Coasts in Mind Project for all his help and advice, and to the wonderful members of the Faversham Society Archaeology Research Group (FSARG) and Faversham Creek Trust for their dedication and assistance on the Front Brents project.

[fg]jpg|Holly Evans’ illustration of T.OZ.55, a copper alloy D Shaped framed buckle with overhanging pin.|Image[/fg]

I have been putting together information on our historic collections with the aim, particularly for our Trosley Heritage Project archive, of seeking funding for specialist work. This information will be vital to future work on the site and to update the Historic Environment Record. This may, if successful, also include the creation of a usable reference collection of Romano-British pottery which will be available for access by KAS members.

Our volunteering programme has sadly been limited recently due to building works at Maidstone Community Support Centre caused by recent heavy rain, but we hope that come October we will be able to continue working with our excellent team of volunteers and call for new volunteers to take part.

[fg]jpg|Holly hard at work|Image[/fg]

This month, we will also be sadly saying goodbye to Holly Evans, our University of Reading archaeological illustration student placement. Holly will be returning for her third and final year at Reading and will be working on her dissertation, illustrating the Mayan collection at the British Museum Store. We wish Holly all the best in her educational endeavours and hope to see her back in Kent soon!

Andrew Ward

All photographs courtesy of the Kent Archaeological Society, 2025.