In Other News
The kilns of Shorne Woods
The Archaeology in Kent team at Shorne Woods Country Park have found part of the loading floor of the brick and tiles kiln, surviving in one corner of the demolished structure! Remains of the floor and at least four courses of kiln superstructure were recovered in the NW corner of the feature. It is believed the structure dates to between the mid-18th and mid-19th centuries, based on evidence from claypipe bowls and map research, and the absence of the kiln on the tithe and later mapping. The dig has revealed one area of the floor, two stokeholes, and three walls. The team hope to uncover the fourth wall in the New Year. If you would like to get involved in next years excavations, contact the Archaeology in Kent team at:
www.facebook.com/ArchaeologyinKent/?locale=en_GB
www.shornewoodsarchaeology.co.uk/about/contact
2000 years of Sutton Valence
Archaeological investigations ahead of a 110 home development by Fernham Homes in North Street, Sutton Valence has revealed late Iron Age and early Roman settlement evidence including a complex network of ditches, trackways and enclosures, as well as evidence of ancient industry in the form of a collapsed furnace. Emily Brown at Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd, said:
“Our on-site excavation uncovered exciting finds, including late Iron Age La Tène brooches and cremation vessels, offering a distinct glimpse into the lives, fashions, and rituals of the communities who once farmed this fertile Kentish ridge. These discoveries have helped us piece together centuries of human activity, bringing the hidden past of Sutton Valence vividly to life.”
Our Curator, Andy Ward, explained the findings contribute to a “broader understanding of life in the upper Medway valley from the late Iron Age through the Roman period.” One particularly significant burial collection is currently being assessed by officials under the Treasure Act 1996. Invicta Archaeological Services Ltd and Fernham Homes said they are working closely with the community to bring these discoveries to life. Plans are in the pipeline for a public exhibition in 2026, where residents and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the artefacts.
Royal Engineers Museum Documents Destroyed
1,700 historic military drawings worth an estimated £500,000 from the Royal Engineers Museum in Kent, including some related to the D-Day landings, were destroyed when a van was stolen and set alight near Edinburgh.
The sketches were inside a silver Ford Transit which was taken from Heron Square in the Deans area of Livingston, West Lothian. The van was found in the Ratho area the following day where it had been stripped of parts and set ablaze.
The plans had arrived at a company in Scotland for digitisation. Based on information provided by Scottish police, the drawings and plans were in the van when it was destroyed.
Director Rebecca Nash said the collection included technical drawings and plans, as well as drawings related to the design and construction of the D-Day Mulberry harbours, railways and bridging. The Mulberry harbours were designed to allow the rapid offloading of cargo onto beaches during the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8jeme3k2eo
Coasts in Mind Training Opportunities
As part of their education and outreach brief to young members of the community, Coasts in Mind will hold a series of 10 training events throughout April and May 2026 in Whitstable. These sessions will combine archival and archaeological skills across the region.
The training sessions will be conducted with partners on the ground, including the Kent Archaeological Society (KAS), Timescapes Kent and Whitstable Museum. These training events will equip participants with a deeper understanding of the skills and techniques used to interpret historical documents and record archaeological material on the foreshore.
If you would like to learn more about the Coasts in Mind project, check out the latest blogs from the team:
Over the Edge:
Coastal Erosion at Warden Point by Harry Farmer
www.cim.mola.org.uk/blogs/over-the-edge-coastal-erosion-at-warden-point
Sand between your toes:
Our collective coastal minds By Paul Montgomery
www.cim.mola.org.uk/blogs/sand-between-your-toes-our-collective-coastal-minds
If you would like to get involved or learn more, contact:
coastsinmind@mola.org.uk
The Canterbury Story
Kent Archaeological Society Member, Malcolm Horton, has been commissioned by the History Press to write “The Canterbury Story” a 90,000 word publication with watercolour illustrations by John Doyle and Hubert Pragnell.
Malcolm is dividing his publication into Pre Roman–Roman–Anglo Saxon–Viking and Norman sections and is reaching out to KAS members who might be happy to share their knowledge of those periods, particularly anecdotes that are not current currency.
If anyone has any specific or interesting knowledge of the above, please contact Malcolm at:
malcolmhorton@gmail.com
A New/Old FLO
The Society is pleased to welcome back and congratulate Andrew Richardson FSA MCIfA on his recent Finds Liaison Officer appointment. Andrew held the position in 2002 for six years. He thoroughly enjoyed the six years first time around, interacting with detectorists, recording finds and working with the British Museum and museums in Kent, and feels he has so much more to offer second time around.
He completed his post graduate PhD with a focus on Anglo-Saxon cemeteries of the Kingdom of Kent, 5–8th centuries. After his first FLO appointment he was with the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) until 2021, before joining Isle Heritage CIC.
Andrew has requested that if individuals are waiting for non-treasure items to be returned to them, to please contact him via email, and provide as much information as possible; including your name, detailed description of the item and when and where you handed it in.
Andrew works closely with Emily Siddon who handles treasure items. He reiterated he is very keen to clear the non-treasure backlog ready for 2026. Andrew is currently assessing other means of communication and scheduling regular surgeries around the county, but for now he has requested that his work email can be broadcast. You can contact him at:
andrew.richardson@kent.gov.uk
Remarkable Roman Coin Hoard discovered near Maidstone
A hoard of approximately 300 Roman bronze coins dating to the third century has been discovered by three detectorists in the Maidstone area in Kent. Friends, Steve and Glenn, and longtime friend Ed were detecting on a private permission in late September when they made the find of a lifetime.
Steve got a hold of David Barwell, Chairman of LEGISE who contacted Andrew Richardson, archaeologist at Isle Heritage CIC and now Kent FLO. As the find spot was close to a road, the three finders expected to take turns overnight to protect the hoard. Thankfully that was unnecessary as Andrew and his colleague Paul-Samuel Armour ‘dropped everything’ and headed straight to the site.
Over the next few hours, they proceeded to record and excavate the site and as the light faded, block-lifted the pot and its contents. Initial assessment indicates the deposit dates to the late 3rd century. This dating was further strengthened by David Holman with his identification of a Claudius II (268–270) coin and another of Salonina (260–268). It will be a while before the full hoard composition is known, but further information will be provided in due course. The hoard and additional coins have been reported to the Local PAS office and the coroner, in accordance with the Treasure Act (1996). The coins are now in the hands of experts as part of the Treasure process.
www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/news/a-roman-hoard-in-kent-and-a-legise-success-story
Historic Canterbury Almshouse needs £100k to avoid falling into river
Caretakers of an 800-year-old almshouse and museum have announced that the building needs more than £100,000 of grant funding to avoid collapsing.
Eastbridge Hospital has stood on High Street in Canterbury since 1180. It was built as accommodation for pilgrims visiting the tomb of the murdered archbishop Thomas Becket. The clerk and receiver for the Eastbridge Hospital charity, Louise Knight, said the undercroft was “moving towards the river”.
The charity is working with archaeologists to rectify the damage and expects it will be over £100,000 to get the repairs done.
The Grade listed building is waiting to learn if an application for addition to the Historic England heritage at risk register is successful.
Beachy Head Woman is local Eastbourne girl
A Roman-era skeleton discovered in East Sussex, once argued to be the earliest known black Briton and who scientists later speculated could be of Cypriot descent, has now been shown to have originated from southern England.
Radiocarbon dating showed the woman died between AD129 and 311, corresponding to the Roman occupation of Britain. Analysis of her skeletal remains suggest she was about 18 to 25 years old when she died and stood at 5ft (152cm) tall.
Outdated interpretations based upon skull shape analysis had been used to suggest a sub-Saharan origin.
This was later reanalysed and she was thought to be a closer match to Cyprian ancestry, but the findings were inconclusive.
The latest analysis produced a more than tenfold improvement in the DNA coverage and revealed that Beachy Head Woman descended from the local British population of Roman-era southern England.