Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A Roman Kiln was located between Springhead and Park Corner during road widening operations in 1921-2. It has been interpreted as smother kiln for the manufacture of 'Upchurch' pottery. It was clay-lined and 3ft 8ins in diameter. Typical specimens of pottery were seen in the kiln and the appearance of these especially as regards colouring and the clean fractures, was as fresh as though they had recently been fired so well had the brick earth excluded the air. (location accurate to the nearest 50m based on available information)

Monument Types

• KILN (KILN, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds

• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Roman - 43 AD? to 409 AD?)

Full description

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[TQ 61707259] Roman Kiln [R] (Site of) [NAT] (1) Between Springhead and Park Corner a smother kiln for the manufacture of 'Upchurch' pottery was cut through during road widening operations in 1921-2. It was clay-lined and 3ft 8ins in diameter. Typical specimens of pottery were seen in the kiln and the appearance of these especially as regards colouring and the clean fractures, was as fresh as though they had recently been fired so well had the brick earth excluded the air. [See SO/59/49/1] (2) Pottery kiln found at Springhead during road widening operations along Watling Street 1921-22. The kiln was damaged by workmen before its significance was realised; the flues or fire tunnels were not observed. (3) Pottery kiln sited at TQ 6197271. (4) As the exact position would appear to be in doubt the matter was taken up with Mr. S. Priest, Curator, Dartford Museum, who was present at the time of discovery. Mr. Priest could not remember the exact site only that it was "halfway between Springhead and Park Corner". In view of this the O.S. sited has been accepted. (5) Roman kiln (site of) Published entry O.S. 6" 1938, apparently sited from Ministry of Transport trace, O.N.B p 5. (6) The term 'Upchurch ware' would appear to be loosely applied here; the pottery is of a purely local type. (7) Additional bibliography. (8-10)

<1> OS 6" 1938 (OS Card Reference). SKE48349.

<2> Ant J 8 1928 337 339-340 (R F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE33219.

<3> VCH Kent 3 1932 131 illust (OS Card Reference). SKE51014.

<4> VCH Kent 3 1932 90 Map of Roman Sites Springhead (OS Card Reference). SKE51139.

<5> Oral S Priest Curator Dartford Museum (OS Card Reference). SKE47984.

<6> RCHME Recorder D.August 9-MAR-59. (OS Card Reference). SKE49010.

<7> Oral, W S Penn, B.Sc. 27 Dobson Road, Gravesend. (OS Card Reference). SKE48003.

<8> F1 CFW 03-SEP-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42408.

<9> The Pottery Kilns of Roman Britain RCHM Supp Series 5 (OS Card Reference). SKE50483.

<10> BAR 57 Early Fine Wares in Roman Briatin 1978 85,126,282 (OS Card Reference). SKE37543.

<11> Brit 10 1979 136 (M Millett) (OS Card Reference). SKE38293.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 67 SW 86 - September, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3695.

Sources and further reading

Related records