Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

In the 19th century the possible remains of a Roman villa were uncovered in a brickfield.

Monument Types

• VILLA? (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds

• TILE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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In the 19th century the possible remains of a Roman villa were uncovered in a brickfield.

Area centred TQ 8595 6750] Villa. (1)

"A" - TQ 8591 6741. Roman foundations noted c. 1857. (2)

Adjoining Lower Halstow Church there are abundant tile fragments showing that there must have been an extensive Roman building there. On the sides of the church an embankment has been thrown up to protect the land from the sea: it is filled with broken tiles and pottery, which also literally cover the shore.

In a field west of the church, in the side of a well, I noticed a tier of Roman tiles which appeared to be part of a hypocaust. (3)

Similar information. Vast quantities of Roman material are re-used in the church. In the arable fields to the west of the church sepulchral remains are frequently found. (4)

Opposite Lower Halstow Church, several years ago, I noticed a hypocaust which had been exposed by digging for brick earth. (5)

A Roman villa once stood in the brickfield due west of the church. (6)

Additional references. (7)(8)

The site of this building is occupied by Eastwoods brickworks. There are no extant remains and no record through the past 50 years of
subsequent finds made during building, etc. in the works. (9)

KE 49 Listed as the possible site of a Roman villa. (10)(2-11)

<1> Rec 6" (R F Jessup undated) (OS Card Reference). SKE49071.

<2> Pte 6" (L R A Grove 1950) (OS Card Reference). SKE48864.

<3> JBAA 2 1847 139-40 (C Roach Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE44886.

<4> Arch 29 1842 226 (C Roach Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE34383.

<5> Collectanea Antiqua 6 1868 196 (C Roach Smith) (OS Card Reference). SKE39203.

<6> Collectanea Cantiana 1893 67 (G Payne) (OS Card Reference). SKE39217.

<7> Gents Mag 1857 1 232 (OS Card Reference). SKE43585.

<8> VCH Kent 3 1932 117 156 (OS Card Reference). SKE51001.

<9> F1 CFW 10-JUL-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42513.

<10> Field report for monument TQ 86 NE 13 - July, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4535.

<11> Sittingbourne and Swale Archaeological Group, Site Files, B11 8 36 (Index). SWX9396.

Sources and further reading