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Monument details

HER Number:TR 02 NE 1
Type of record:Findspot
Name:Romano-British Objects at Dymchurch

Summary

In 1837 large quantities of Romano-British pottery were revealed over a wide area during the construction of the sea-wall. This included coarse pottery and samian, the latter including at least two complete vessels that probably came from at least one cremation-burial. Other finds included three coins and various other items. In 1978 - 1980 rescue-work in the same general area by the Kent Unit revealed features and pottery of first and second century date.


Grid Reference:TR 098 286
Map Sheet:TR02NE
Parish:DYMCHURCH, SHEPWAY, KENT

Monument Types

Associated Finds

  • BRIQUETAGE (Roman - 43 AD to 199 AD)
  • COIN (Roman - 43 AD to 199 AD)
  • SHERD (Roman - 43 AD to 199 AD)
  • KNIFE (Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)

Full description

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(Name TR 098286). Roman Coins, Urns and Pottery found AD 1837 (NAT) (1)

During the building of the sea wall at Dymchurch "vast masses of pottery", including Samian and other ware, were found up to a furlong inland from the line of the wall. Also found were two second brasses and a small copper coin, querns, hones, whetstones, "amulets of burnt clay", a horn knife handle, glass neck of jar, human and animal remains. A knife handle inlaid with silver is thought to be Saxon, and a small shield or badge is "of much later date". (In the years following Isaacson's report, there is much discussion on whether or not there was a pottery or a Red Hills site at Dymchurch, but there is no proof). (2)

Finds at Dymchurch reported in 1844 on the site of the sea wall included a red ware jug of C3rd type. A Samian bowl and a dish, both mid C2nd types, are in the British Museum. A Roman pottery at Dymchurch is indicated on the map in George Payne's archaeological survey of Kent, published 1889, but no reference is made to the discoveries. (3)

An examination of the area produced nothing of significance. (4)

Dymchurch, an account of the discovery of Roman urns and other remains in 1844 was given by Rev S Isaacson. Some of the objects were exhibited. It was commented that these discoveries were extremely interesting as it disproved the idea that in the Roman period Dymchurch and the surrounding lowlands were covered by the sea. (5)

A paper on the discovery of Roman urns and other remains at Dymchurch in 1844 was read at a meeting of the Brisish Archaeological Association in September 1844. The remains point tothe first indication of the existence of permanent settlement in Romney Marsh. (6)

Recent research by Mr James Elliott of Dymchurch show that Roman potteries were worked in the area. Recounts also the report and exhibition of vases discovered at Dymchurch by Rev S. Isaacson. (7)

Human and animal bones, cinery urns, fragments of hand-mills, a portion of an iron spearhead and brass coins were found. There was also large quantities of pottery, including samian. (8)

There appears to have been an ancient pottery at Dymchurch, as large quantities of burnt clay, moulds and articles apparently connected with the manufacture of pottery were found. The fine blue clay of the area was well adapted for such purposes. (9)

Dymchurch listed as a site where briquetage has been found. (10)

The discovery of clay `hand-bricks' at Dymchurch, together with other Roman material. (11)

Traces of extensive Roman pottery works were found during repairs to the sea wall at Dymchurch, c. mid last century. (12)

In 1837 large quantities of Romano-British pottery were revealed over a wide area during the construction of the sea-wall. This included coarse pottery and samian, the latter including at least two complete vessels that probably came from at least one cremation-burial. Other finds included three coins and various other items. In 1978 - 1980 rescue-work in the same general area by the Kent Unit revealed features and pottery of first and second century date. More work is planned. (13)

Additional bibliography (14-17)


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

<2> BAA Rpt for Meeting at Canterbury Sept 1844 115-121 (S Issacson) (OS Card Reference). SKE37454.

<3> Page, W. (ed), 1932, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volume III, VCH Kent 3 1932 129-130 (R F Jessp) 152 (M V Taylor) (Monograph). SKE7810.

<4> F1 ASP 15-MAR-1963 (OS Card Reference). SKE42126.

<5> Arch J 1 1845 272 (S Isaacson) (OS Card Reference). SKE36521.

<6> PSA 1 1849 71-72 (S Isaacson) (OS Card Reference). SKE48753.

<7> JBAA 2 1846 138 (C Roach Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE44882.

<8> JBAA 1 1846 40-41 (S Isaacson) (OS Card Reference). SKE44852.

<9> Archaeologia 31 1846 487-488 (S Isaacson) (OS Card Reference). SKE37314.

<10> PSA 30 1917-1918 53 (R A Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE48830.

<11> Arch J 7 1850 175 (F C Lukis) (OS Card Reference). SKE36678.

<12> PCAS 11 1914 41 (F G Walker) (OS Card Reference). SKE48502.

<13> Brian Philp, 1982, Romney Marsh and the Roman Fort at Lympne, KAR 68 1982 185 (B J Philp) (Article in serial). SKE7806.

<14> Field report for monument TR 02 NE 1 - March, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5033.

<15> Ordnance Survey, 1893-7, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898, 1899/1:2500 (Map). SWX11832.

<16> Ordnance Survey, 1905-10, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912, 1908/1:2500 (Map). SWX11833.

<17> Ordnance Survey, 1928-1947, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 4th edition 1928-1947, 1938/1:2500 (Map). Ske12644.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1938.
<2>OS Card Reference: BAA Rpt for Meeting at Canterbury Sept 1844 115-121 (S Issacson).
<3>Monograph: Page, W. (ed). 1932. The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Kent Volume III. VCH Kent 3 1932 129-130 (R F Jessp) 152 (M V Taylor).
<4>OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 15-MAR-1963.
<5>OS Card Reference: Arch J 1 1845 272 (S Isaacson).
<6>OS Card Reference: PSA 1 1849 71-72 (S Isaacson).
<7>OS Card Reference: JBAA 2 1846 138 (C Roach Smith).
<8>OS Card Reference: JBAA 1 1846 40-41 (S Isaacson).
<9>OS Card Reference: Archaeologia 31 1846 487-488 (S Isaacson).
<10>OS Card Reference: PSA 30 1917-1918 53 (R A Smith).
<11>OS Card Reference: Arch J 7 1850 175 (F C Lukis).
<12>OS Card Reference: PCAS 11 1914 41 (F G Walker).
<13>XYArticle in serial: Brian Philp. 1982. Romney Marsh and the Roman Fort at Lympne. KAR 68 1982 185 (B J Philp). [Mapped feature: #37160 Find, ]
<14>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 02 NE 1 - March, 1963.
<15>Map: Ordnance Survey. 1893-7. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898. 1:2500. 1899/1:2500.
<16>Map: Ordnance Survey. 1905-10. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912. 1:2500. 1908/1:2500.
<17>Map: Ordnance Survey. 1928-1947. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 4th edition 1928-1947. 1938/1:2500.