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Monument details

HER Number:TR 13 NW 8
Type of record:Monument
Name:Roman Building, Harp Wood, Saltwood

Summary

Corner of a substantial Roman building, uncovered in the 19th century in Harp Wood, Saltwood. Possibly a villa


Grid Reference:TR 1468 3543
Map Sheet:TR13NW
Parish:SALTWOOD, SHEPWAY, KENT

Monument Types

  • BUILDING (BUILDING, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
Protected Status:Selected Heritage Inventory for Natural England: Roman building material discovered since 1864 including brick and tile. Modern excavation of a small area uncovered mortared stone walls. Geophysical surveys were inconclusive but did show potential for the area.

Full description

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[TR 14683543] Roman Remains found A.D.1874 [T.I.] (1) "Roman foundations, bricks and tiles were discovered in 1864 at the south-east corner of Harp Wood, close to the Brockhill stream, about 1/2 mile west of Saltwood, on the hill above Hythe. No detailed account of them exists. But they are apparently the same as some `Roman foundations in Carp Wood, recorded by Mr Payne'. [The OS 6" and Name Book is also given as an authority so presumably 1864 is an incorrect date. Payne does not give a date for the discoveries]. (2) At the OS site, there is a scatter of Roman brick and tile. The site lies upon roughly level ground at the end of a spur. The ground falls away rapidly to E and S to the valley of the Brockhill Stream. Nothing is known about this site locally or at Folkestone Museum. (3) No change. (4) additional bibliography (5-7)

Summary of current knowledge. A section of walling was found in the wood to the north as well as a platform of level ground in the field to the south, along with a number of ragstone blocks where the foundations have been disturbed during the construction of a path. (8)

Excavation of a small area uncovered mortared stone walls. Geophysical surveys were inconclusive but did show potential for the area. (9)

KE 81 Listed as the possible site of a Roman villa. (10)


<1> O.S.6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE47849.

<2> V.C.H.Kent Vol.3, 1932,p.124 (M.V.Taylor) (OS Card Reference). SKE50786.

<3> "Coll.Cant." 1893,p.199 (G.Payne) (OS Card Reference). SKE32612.

<4> F1 ASP 30-NOV-62 (OS Card Reference). SKE42360.

<5> F2 ASP 01-DEC-69 (OS Card Reference). SKE43070.

<6> Field report for monument TR 13 NW 8 - November, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5359.

<7> Field report for monument TR 13 NW 8 - December, 1969 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5360.

<8> Willis, S., 2010, Brief Interim Report on ongoing Archaeological works and Observation at Harp Wood, Pedlinge (Unpublished document). SKE16572.

<9> Parfitt, K., 2004, Roman Building at Harp Wood, Saltwood, near Hythe (Unpublished document). SKE16573.

<10> Eleanor Scott, 1993, A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain (Unspecified Type). SWX23549.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>OS Card Reference: O.S.6" 1961.
<2>OS Card Reference: V.C.H.Kent Vol.3, 1932,p.124 (M.V.Taylor).
<3>OS Card Reference: "Coll.Cant." 1893,p.199 (G.Payne).
<4>OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 30-NOV-62.
<5>OS Card Reference: F2 ASP 01-DEC-69.
<6>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 13 NW 8 - November, 1962.
<7>Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TR 13 NW 8 - December, 1969.
<8>XYUnpublished document: Willis, S.. 2010. Brief Interim Report on ongoing Archaeological works and Observation at Harp Wood, Pedlinge. [Mapped feature: #41549 Villa, ]
<9>Unpublished document: Parfitt, K.. 2004. Roman Building at Harp Wood, Saltwood, near Hythe.
<10>(No record type): Eleanor Scott. 1993. A gazetteer of Roman villas in Britain.