Monument record TQ 67 SW 1766 - Possible oven located south of Watling Street during excavations at Springhead

Summary

A Roman oven was located in an area just to the south of the modern line of the A2 and approximately 100m to the south east of the temple complex along Watling Street at Springhead. Unfortunately its purpose could not be ascertained but a considerable amount of wood was burnt in it which may be determined from the surviving layer of potash. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6189 7244 (3m by 3m)
Map sheet TQ67SW
County KENT
District DARTFORD, KENT
Civil Parish SOUTHFLEET, DARTFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

A Roman oven was located in an area just to the south of the modern line of the A2 and approximately 100m to the south east of the temple complex along Watling Street at Springhead. Unfortunately its purpose could not be ascertained. It is certainly not like a typical bread oven, there were no pottery or tile wasters and no signs of iron or bronze working. One thing is certain, a considerable amount of wood was burnt in it which may be determined from the surviving layer of potash. It may have been connected with a kiln located c.3m to the south east. The oven was cut out of an existing bank but lined with a thin layer of chalk. Pottery was scarce indicated a late first- to early-second century date for the feature. There was a third-century intrusive cremation burial in a pot in the filling. A chalk road is situated to the west of the feature and may be associated with it, it led from the line of Watling Street in a south westerly direction towards the oven. (1-2)


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

<2> W. S. Penn, 1968, Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Miscellaneous Excavations (Article in serial). SKE53588.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Article in serial: WS Penn. 1965. Archaeologia Cantiana, Springhead - map of Discoveries. Vol 80, pp 107-117.
  • <2>XY Article in serial: W. S. Penn. 1968. Archaeologia Cantiana - The Romano British Settlement at Springhead, Miscellaneous Excavations. Vol 83 pp163-192. [Mapped feature: #109139 oven, ]

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 20 2021 7:16PM