In 1855 ancient potsherds, flanged tiles and oxidised iron were found 'a few hundred yards' from Mereworth Castle. The pottery appeared to be Roman and in 1856 the site was trenched. Examination of the ground...made it probable that it was the site of an ancient barrow...' levelled in the early 18th c. during the construction of the Castle and its moat. '.. a low wall of loose stone, about three feet thick and two or three courses high..' was found and in the presumed centre of the barrow charcoal or decayed wood with several large iron nails together with an iron pin and potsherds. Elsewhere in the trench a cairn of small stones was found with charcoal covering a variety of potsherds. Near the first discovery [it is not clear whether the 1855 finds or the first 1856 discovery is meant] several flat tiles, apparently Roman, potsherds and a very large brass of probably M. Aurelius Anton. were found. The coins lay near a fragment of samian ware and unburnt bones of ?pig. Potsherds exhibited were identified as Roman, including very fine samian ware and Saxon. Among the iron was a small socketed bill-hook of Saxon date. (1) Tiles, potsherds and a 2nd century coins were found in 1855-6 near Mereworth Castle. (2) Not listed under Roman barrows. (3) No further information was gained at Mereworth Castle on the site of this possible barrow; a perambulation of likely sites was unsuccessuful. Nothing further is known at Maidstone Museum where a few Belgic sherds from the site are held. Although it could not be confirmed it is possible that these are the sherds formerly classified as Saxon (Auth. 1.) (4)

<1> Arch Journ 13 1856 403-4 (Kemble) (OS Card Reference). SKE36774.

<2> VCH Kent 3 1932 161 (M V Taylor R F Jessup and C F C Hawkes) (OS Card Reference). SKE51077.

<3> Antiquity 37 1936 (G Dunning and R F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE33293.

<4> F1 CFW 12-FEB-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42546.

<5> Field report for monument TQ 65 SE 4 - February, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3406.