[Area TQ 522590] A Roman site was suspected at the Charne Building Site, west of the River Darent and 200 yards south of Pilgrims' Way as a result of finds from services trenches. Excavation revealed a simple type of farm building which may have been a cow byre, judging from the number of horn cores and animal bones found. It has a flint-cobble floor with a deep gulley, and consisted of a wooden framework, probably open between posts, which were seated on ragstone and brick bases and probably carried a thatched roof. A denarius of Commodus dated AD 191-192 found in the highest of the three undisturbed Roman levels helps to secure the latest dating. A large amount of RB pottery, dated c.AD 100-200, came to light. Nearby four different querns, two too large to have been moved by hand, suggest extensive milling; and parts of circular bricks indicate a neighbouring house. (1,2) This building was situated at TQ 52245905 (a) (b) and it has now been built over. All material from the excavation has been retained by Col. Meates. (3) TQ 5359. Rectangular cattle shed at Otford. (4) Additional info (5-7).

<1> Arch Cant 68 1954 xliv-xlv (G W Meates) (OS Card Reference). SKE35441.

<2> JRS 45 1955 143 (G W Meates) (OS Card Reference). SKE45099.

<3> Oral: Lt. Col G W Meates, Lullingstone, Kent (OS Card Reference). SKE48043.

<4> Mr Eagleton, 37 The Charne, Otford (OS Card Reference). SKE47377.

<5> F1 CFW 08-AUG-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42480.

<6> BAR 70 1979 45 67 123 Agr Bldgs in Ro Brit (P Morris) (OS Card Reference). SKE37552.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 55 NW 2 - August, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2790.