Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Foundations of Roman buildings were found during woodland clearance in 1879. Remains of a cistern were found 9 feet 5ins X 4ft 3.5 ins X 4 feet deep (2.86m X 1.30m X 1.22m).

The building's walls were of ragstone and tufa, bonded with tile and the floor had been paved with tiles.

Artefacts found inside included animal bones, tiles, mortar and a nail. Excavations carried out in 1879 revealed a floor of large tiles at a depth of 7 feet (2.13m). Broken pieces of roof tiles and tufa and stone boulders were uncovered.

In Arch Cant 1880, G Payne described it as a villa site and associates it with urns found to the north.( TQ 75 SW 30)

Monument Types

• VILLA? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

[TQ 728753392] Roman Foundations found A.D.1879 [NAT] (1)

Remains of Roman buildings were found at Barming on grubbing woodland to form an orchard. The workmen came upon an oblong cistern, nine feet, five inches by four feet, three and a half inches and four feet deep. Its floor was paved with tiles and the walls were built of rag and tufa bonded with tile. It contained tiles, mortar, a nail and animal bones. Excavations were made in 1879 by the writer revealing substantial foundations. Two walls were followed for a few feet and a floor of large tiles found at a depth of seven feet. Debris included roof-tiles and stone and tufa boulders. [Described as a villa and associated with urns found to the north - TQ 75 SW 30.] (2)

Described as villa. The 'curious pit' was perhaps a water tank and later rubbish tip. (3)

Tiles in Maidstone Museum. (4)

The site is under pasture within an orchard. Nothing is to be seen of the Roman remains. (5)

Checked and correct. (6)

Additional bibliography (7 and 8).

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

<2> Arch Cant 13 1880 169 (Geo Payne) (OS Card Reference). SKE34686.

<3> VCH Kent 3 1932 104 (OS Card Reference). SKE50991.

<4> Rec 6" (OGS Crawford undated) (OS Card Reference). SKE49061.

<5> F1 ASP 03.06.59 (OS Card Reference). SKE41902.

<6> F2 CFW 11.02.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43219.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 75 SW 9 - June, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3989.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 75 SW 9 - February, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3990.

Sources and further reading