Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A large rectangular building was located immediately to the north of Watling Street during excavations at the Roman settlement at Springhead. The building was probably originally constructed in the first century and used for agricultural purposes. It became derelict by the end of the third century and was taken over in this state by a blacksmith and it was used for iron-working until the late fourth century when a road was laid down in this area. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Roman - 100 AD? to 350 AD?)
• FLOOR (Roman - 100 AD? to 350 AD?)
• WALL (Roman - 100 AD? to 350 AD?)
• KILN (Roman - 175 AD? to 350 AD?)
• FURNACE (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• PLATFORM (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• POST HOLE (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• WORKSHOP (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)

Associated Finds

• BOTTLE (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• BROOCH (Roman - 43 AD? to 199 AD?)
• COIN (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• COUNTER (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• DISC (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• NAIL (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• NEEDLE (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• PIN (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• RING (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• SHERD (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• STUD (Roman - 43 AD? to 350 AD?)
• BOLT (FASTENING) (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• CANDLESTICK (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• KEY (LOCKING) (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• KNIFE (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)
• NAIL (Roman - 250 AD? to 350 AD?)

Full description

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A large rectangular fronted onto Watling Street during excavations at the Roman settlement at Springhead. The building was probably originally constructed in the early second century and used for agricultural purposes. It became derelict by the end of the third century and was taken over in this state by a blacksmith and it was used for iron-working until the late fourth century when a road was laid down in this area. The building measured approximately 11m in width by 16m in length and was orientated north south. It was divided into three rooms which were all floored with clay. In the late second/early third century the north eastern room was removed and a new chalk floor was laid. A small corn drying kiln was inserted into the northern room. This was a typical L shaped type with its walls being constructed of chalk blocks and (subsequently) baked clay and it stoke-hole was on the west side. In the late third and into the fourth century, after a period of abandonment during which time the building had become derelict, a very substantial loading platform was built over the area originally occupied by the north eastern room. This must have been for unloading heavy carts of iron ore or crude iron for use by the blacksmith who occupied this building at this time. As the building was derelict it was necessary to erect a light structure or lean-to. The chalk floors formed the base of the hut but soon became covered with a layer of varying thickness of baked clay. This was probably from a number of destroyed furnaces. The whole structure was provided with a number of post-holes which presumably formed a shelter over the working area. In the middle of the shelter were the crude dry footings of two walls at right angles, these probably formed part of a furnace. Many finds located in the deposits associated with this phase of construction indicate the use as a black smiths workshop. These include many fragments of iron, numerous metal finds and fragments of a crucible. (1-2)

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

<2> W. S. Penn, 1968, Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Miscellaneous Excavations (Article in serial). SKE53588.

Sources and further reading

Related records