Monument record TQ 83 NW 3 - Roman iron working site and finds, Cranbrook

Summary

Roman iron-working site; the foundations of a small building and associated pottery, tile, and iron working apparatus found during excavation. Tiles of the Classus Britannicus, the Roman naval force, were also found and are now in Maidstone Museum.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 8013 3521 (194m by 250m) FCE
Map sheet TQ83NW
County KENT
District TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT
Civil Parish CRANBROOK, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT

Map

Type and Period (7)

Full Description

A Roman iron working site at Little Farningham, Cranbrook, lying 100 yds east of the roman road. Interim reports on excavations. (1-2) Classis Britannica stamped tiles from the site were deposited in Maidstone Museum. (3) At TQ 802353 'a small building with semi-circular adjunct, possibly a latrine, is associated with many stamped tiles of the Classis Britannica .. pottery of the late first and early second centuries, and much evidence for iron working apparatus including nozzles and bellows'. (4) Tile stamps summarised. (5-6) Roman site on the west edge of Little Farningham Wood, scheduled as an ancient monument. No 169. (7) Fragments of wall footings are still exposed in unfilled excavation trenches at TQ 80133525. (8)

Excavated in 1950s/1960s by Cecily Lebon and her notes and correspondance is in Cranbrook Museum (10)
In August 2000 two trenches were excavated that discovered a possible occupation site to the west of the scheduled area, close to the route of the Roman road. A road surface and ditches, three smelting hearths, an oven, several postholes and iron working debris were found.(10)

First exploratory trench in 1956.Site had come to attention from discoveries by Mr George Luck, of Stream Farm, Cranbrook, the owner of the site. Brick and tile had been found during ploughing in an area close to the w. banks of the stream.Trial trench and exploratory holes confirmed Roman origins. 1957 - 4 trenches - finds this year included some 50 exaples of the Classis Brit stamped tiles. 1958-9 - proposal made to designate the site.

Fieldwalking, resitivity survey and metal detector survey under direction of Neil Aldridge in 1999. Failed to provide evdience of extensive building, but did suggest a possible alternative route for the course of the Roman road. Limited excavation across the line of the alternative course in August 2000. Surface found with definite limts but no ditches. Occupation surface also found in another trench, gully with domestic material. Trecnch C provided evidence of a possible domestic timber building - clay overn and postholes. 456 pottery sherds found over course of the work, 18 small fragments of tile - no CL BR stamped types, 23 iron nails, 1 nail of copper alloy and a lead weight. Occupation appears to have ceased by the second half of the second century. No evidence was found for any later Roman settlement.(11)


Arch Cant 72 1958 lx xlvii (CCR Pile) (OS Card Reference). SKE35523.

<1> Arch Cant 72 1958 lx xlvii (CCR Pile) (OS Card Reference). SKE35523.

<2> Arch Cant 73 1959 xlvl (CCR Pile) (OS Card Reference). SKE35551.

<3> Arch Cant 71 1957 224 (OS Card Reference). SKE35488.

<4> JRS 50 1960 235 (OS Card Reference). SKE45114.

<5> JRS 49 1959 137 (OS Card Reference). SKE45112.

<6> JRS 47 1959 233 (OS Card Reference). SKE45107.

<7> AM Eng and Wales 1961 58 (OS Card Reference). SKE33014.

<8> F1 CFW 14.10.62 (OS Card Reference). SKE42563.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 83 NW 3 - October, 1962 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4318.

<10> Anne Brew, 2001, Notes from Anne Brew on Little Farningham Farm, Cranbrook (Unpublished document). SKE13219.

<11> Neil Aldridge, 2001, Little Farningham Farm, Cranbrook, Revisited, Arch Cant CXXI - 2001, pp135-156 (Article in serial). SKE15731.

Sources/Archives (12)

  • --- OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 72 1958 lx xlvii (CCR Pile).
  • <1> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 72 1958 lx xlvii (CCR Pile).
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 73 1959 xlvl (CCR Pile).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 71 1957 224.
  • <4> OS Card Reference: JRS 50 1960 235.
  • <5> OS Card Reference: JRS 49 1959 137.
  • <6> OS Card Reference: JRS 47 1959 233.
  • <7> OS Card Reference: AM Eng and Wales 1961 58.
  • <8> OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 14.10.62.
  • <9> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 83 NW 3 - October, 1962.
  • <10> Unpublished document: Anne Brew. 2001. Notes from Anne Brew on Little Farningham Farm, Cranbrook.
  • <11>XY Article in serial: Neil Aldridge. 2001. Little Farningham Farm, Cranbrook, Revisited. Arch Cant CXXI 2001, pp.135-156. Arch Cant CXXI - 2001, pp135-156. [Mapped feature: #443 iron working site, ]

Finds (2)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Intrusive Event: Geophysical survey at Little Farningham Farm, Cranbrook, 1999 (EKE20896)
  • Intrusive Event: LITTLE FARNINGHAM FARM,SISSINGHURST (Ref: EI 21412) (EKE4418)
  • Intrusive Event: Small excavation at Little Farningham Farm, Cranbrook, 1999-2000 (EKE9459)

Record last edited

Aug 20 2021 4:44PM