Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

During excavations undertaken between the southern side of Watling Street and the northern side of the temple complex at Springhead various structural features were uncovered which point to the presence of a lean-to building located here. The building appears to have utilised part of the temple complex’s enclosing wall on its northern side. It is possible that it is associated with a quantity of ovens which have been located within the immediate area. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• POST HOLE (Roman - 100 AD? to 200 AD?)
• WALL (Roman - 100 AD? to 200 AD?)

Full description

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During excavations undertaken between the southern side of Watling Street and the northern side of the temple complex at Springhead various structural features were uncovered which point to the presence of a lean-to building located here. The building was rectangular in plan and probably of light or even open construction. Few tiles and no daub from wattle walls were found. The north wall, which runs parallel to the Watling Street, is a continuation of the massive temenos wall which is thus reduced in size and finish west of Temple IV. The wall was made of bonded flint footings with a chalk superstructure, although additional flints were used for reinforcement. It is probable, however, that the wall was not very high since a series of large post holes found along it may have supported a high timber superstructure. The east end of the north wall and part of the east wall had been destroyed in Roman times. It is possible that the entrance was here. The south wall was continuous and fairly well made. It was separated from Temple III by a small corridor, similar in dimensions to the corridor between Temples III and I. The west wall of the building lay beyond the limit of excavation. From the evidence it appears that the building was a lean-to with a low south wall and a relatively high north wall (perhaps open at the top to allow the escape of smoke). The roof was perhaps simple wattle or even plain branches. A buttress was located, roughly centrally and towards the northern end of the building. The north side of this feature was very well defined and it was thought at first that it was actually part of the footings of a building. This must have originally been its purpose and it is undoubtedly the remains of the building which preceded the 'lean-to'. The buttress and part of a north wall boundary was well made from carefully shaped chalk blocks. The interpretation of this building is difficult but it is possible that in the later period of its use, it is associated with the ovens and the altar which were also discovered in this location. How long the building remained in use is difficult to say. There were no sealed stratified remains later than A.D. 180. An illegible coin, possibly Septimius Severus, was found on top of the bank at one point which may carry the useful life of the building until the early part of the third century. It must have gone out of use after this time as, in fact, did Temple III. The two events may be associated in some way. (1-2)

<1> WS Penn, 1965, Archaeologia Cantiana, Springhead - map of Discoveries (Article in serial). SKE12613.

<2> W. S. Penn, 1964, Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, The temple ditch site (Article in serial). SKE53586.

Sources and further reading

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