Monument record TQ 57 SW 247 - Roman Road, Spital Street, Dartford

Summary

Roman road surface with associated ditch. Possibly a temporary alignment before Watling Street was fully established. The remains of a new-born child were found within the fill of the roadside ditch, presumably a convenient place for disposal in the mid to late 1st century. The road had gone out of use by the late 1st century AD.

Location

Grid reference TQ 54012 74097 (point) Estimated from sources
Map sheet TQ57SW
County KENT
District DARTFORD, KENT
Civil Parish DARTFORD, DARTFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

Evaluation work uncovered a stretch of compacted gravel below the present line of Spital Street representing the Roman Watling Street. The surface recorded consisted of only one layer of metalling, which contained a wheel rut, and perhaps indicates a temporay surface, before Watling Street was firmly establihsed an a slightly different alignment. Running paralled to the north of the gravel was a ditch, presumably a side drain for the road. A sequence of erosion deposits suggest that the ditch was open for sometime. Only one fo the ditch fills was deliberately laid wich contained the remains of a new born child, presumably the dithc was a conveniat place of disposal. A brooch was found from the deposit sealing the burial dating to the mid to late 1st century AD. (1)


<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1991, Excavations at Spital Street, Dartford; Level IV Report (Unpublished document). SKE12284.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1991, Excavations at Spital Street, Dartford 1991, Level III Archive Report (Unpublished document). SKE57713.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1991. Excavations at Spital Street, Dartford; Level IV Report.
  • <2> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1991. Excavations at Spital Street, Dartford 1991, Level III Archive Report.

Finds (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Intrusive Event: Excavation at 37 - 41 Spital Street, Dartford (EKE8587)

Record last edited

Apr 4 2025 11:37AM