Monument record TQ 67 SW 1761 - Walls surrounding the temple complex at Springhead

Summary

A wall is known to have enclosed the temple complex located at Springhead, several sections of the wall have been revealed during excavations of the area and a robber trench, also uncovered during the same excavations, also relates to the former site of this wall. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6178 7248 (45m by 26m)
Map sheet TQ67SW
County KENT
District DARTFORD, KENT
Civil Parish SOUTHFLEET, DARTFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

A wall is known to have enclosed the temple complex located at Springhead, several sections of the wall have been revealed during excavations of the area and a robber trench, also uncovered during the same excavations, also relates to the former site of this wall. The majority of the evidence was obtained on the eastern side of the temple complex, along the edge of a branch road leading south from Watling Street. Here an examination of the road revealed a rectilinear hole. This is the robber trench filled with mortar rubble from the wall it once contained. It follows the western edge of the road from its junction with Watling Street to where it disappears underneath the railway embankment. A possible gatehouse has been excavated here, with the temple complex wall forming the eastern wall of the gatehouse. The trench also follows the southern edge of Watling street. Here it forms the northern wall of a lean to building located at the northern edge of the temple complex. The wall appears to have been constructed using flints, and, although there was abundant mortar, no traces of plaster were present. It had a probable width of c. 60cm. (1-4)


<1> WS Penn, 1965, Archaeologia Cantiana, Springhead - map of Discoveries (Article in serial). SKE12613.

<2> W. S. Penn, 1964, Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, The temple ditch site (Article in serial). SKE53586.

<3> W. S. Penn, 1958, Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Excavataion of the Watling Street Shop and Pedestal, Site B (Article in serial). SKE53583.

<4> W. S. Penn, 1967, Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Temple 6 and the gateway (Article in serial). SKE53587.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Article in serial: WS Penn. 1965. Archaeologia Cantiana, Springhead - map of Discoveries. Vol 80, pp 107-117.
  • <2> Article in serial: W. S. Penn. 1964. Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, The temple ditch site. Vol 79 pp170-189.
  • <3> Article in serial: W. S. Penn. 1958. Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Excavataion of the Watling Street Shop and Pedestal, Site B. Vol 72 pp 77- 110.
  • <4> Article in serial: W. S. Penn. 1967. Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Temple 6 and the gateway. Vol 82 pp 105-123.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Event Boundary: Excavations at Springhead Roman town, Southfleet, Dartford (EKE20042)

Record last edited

Jan 15 2021 4:59PM