Monument record TQ 67 SW 1768 - Roman Well discovered during excavations at Springhead.

Summary

A Roman well was uncovered in an area to the north of Watling Street during excavations carried out at Springhead. It appears to have served a succession of buildings which fronted onto the northern side of Watling Street from which it was served by several chalk and gravel paths. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 6177 7251 (2m by 2m)
Map sheet TQ67SW
County KENT
District DARTFORD, KENT
Civil Parish SOUTHFLEET, DARTFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

A Roman well was uncovered in an area to the north of Watling Street during excavations carried out at Springhead. It appears to have served a succession of buildings which fronted onto the northern side of Watling Street from which it was served by several chalk and gravel paths. The area immediately surrounding the well was cobbled with a single layer of large flints and roughly levelled with small flints and stones. The well itself was lined with flints to a depth of c.3.5m and the opening was circular with a diameter of just over 1m. this dimension was maintained for a depth of c.1.5m after which the diameter increased to a maximum of c.1.4m. at a depth of c.3m the shape changed gradually to a square. The maximum depth of the well was c.4.7m below the ground surface, with the bottom of the well lined with timber. A very small pot was built into the top of the well, possibly as a votive offering. The dating evidence suggests that the well was constructed in the early second century and remained open throughout the second and possibly early third century. (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: #109143 well, ]

Finds (4)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (1)

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

Record last edited

Jan 22 2021 12:38PM