Monument record TQ 55 NW 3 - Otford Roman Villa

Summary

Site of a Roman corridor and courtyard villa dating from the second half of 1st century to the 2nd century AD. Located above Otford Station and south of Pilgrims Way, it was excavated in 1927-8 and in 1971. The villa was shown to have been damaged by fire during the late 2nd century and the courtyard was subsequently used to house cattle. Coins and pottery dating from the 1st to the 4th centuries were however found in large quantities particularly pottery dated 3rd-4th century. Also found were tesserae and painted plaster. An associated pottery kiln of circa 100 AD and 2 flagons were unearthed and a rubbish pit was found to the north east of the villa. An Iron Age brooch was also found. The site is now under a well established orchard and there are no visible remains.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 5364 5919 (274m by 207m) FCE
Map sheet TQ55NW
County KENT
Civil Parish OTFORD, SEVENOAKS, KENT
District SEVENOAKS, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

<1> OS 6" 1961 (OS Card Reference). SKE48369.

<2> Arch Cant 39 1927 153-8 (B W Pearce) (OS Card Reference). SKE35064.

<3> Arch Cant 42 1930 157-71 plans illusts (B W Pearce) (OS Card Reference). SKE35107.

<4> VCH Kent 3 1932 122 131 (M V Taylor and R F Jessup) (OS Card Reference). SKE51008.

<5> Y Cymmrodor 41 1930 72 (W F Grimes) (OS Card Reference). SKE51423.

<6> F1 CFW 11-AUG-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42526.

<7> OS 25" 1962 (OS Card Reference). SKE48278.

<8> F2 CFW 23-AUG-65 (OS Card Reference). SKE43271.

<9> Letter (B Philp 2 4 1971) AO/O/7B (OS Card Reference). SKE46022.

<10> DOE (IAM) AM Record Forms and plan 21 2 73 no 150 (OS Card Reference). SKE40683.

<11> Pottery Kilns of Roman Britain 1984 84 and map 17 (V G Swan) (OS Card Reference). SKE48572.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 55 NW 3 - August, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2791.

<13> Field report for monument TQ 55 NW 3 - August, 1965 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2792.

<14> English Heritage, Register of Scheduled Monuments (Scheduling record). SKE16191.

<15> Otford and District Archaeological Group, 2006, Geo Physics Survey: Progress Roman Villa, Otford, Sevenoaks, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE17040.

<16> Historic England, National Heritage List for England (Index). SKE29372.

<17> West Kent Archaeological Society, 2015, Geophysical Report. "Progress" Roman Villa, Otford, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31263.

<18> West Kent Archaeological Society, 2017, Geophysical Report: Castle House, Otford, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE32411.

<19> Caroline Farquhar, 2017, An examination of the religious and ritual practices of the communities at the head of the Darent valley, Kent, in the Roman period (Unpublished document). SKE52885.

Sources/Archives (19)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: OS 6" 1961.
  • <2> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 39 1927 153-8 (B W Pearce).
  • <3> OS Card Reference: Arch Cant 42 1930 157-71 plans illusts (B W Pearce).
  • <4> OS Card Reference: VCH Kent 3 1932 122 131 (M V Taylor and R F Jessup).
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Y Cymmrodor 41 1930 72 (W F Grimes).
  • <6> OS Card Reference: F1 CFW 11-AUG-64.
  • <7> OS Card Reference: OS 25" 1962.
  • <8> OS Card Reference: F2 CFW 23-AUG-65.
  • <9> OS Card Reference: Letter (B Philp 2 4 1971) AO/O/7B.
  • <10> OS Card Reference: DOE (IAM) AM Record Forms and plan 21 2 73 no 150.
  • <11> OS Card Reference: Pottery Kilns of Roman Britain 1984 84 and map 17 (V G Swan).
  • <12> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 55 NW 3 - August, 1964.
  • <13> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 55 NW 3 - August, 1965.
  • <14>XY Scheduling record: English Heritage. Register of Scheduled Monuments. [Mapped feature: #466 Villa, ]
  • <15> Unpublished document: Otford and District Archaeological Group. 2006. Geo Physics Survey: Progress Roman Villa, Otford, Sevenoaks, Kent.
  • <16> Index: Historic England. National Heritage List for England.
  • <17> Unpublished document: West Kent Archaeological Society. 2015. Geophysical Report. "Progress" Roman Villa, Otford, Kent.
  • <18> Unpublished document: West Kent Archaeological Society. 2017. Geophysical Report: Castle House, Otford, Kent.
  • <19> Unpublished document: Caroline Farquhar. 2017. An examination of the religious and ritual practices of the communities at the head of the Darent valley, Kent, in the Roman period.

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (4)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Geophysical Report. "Progress" Roman Villa, Otford, Kent (EKE14710)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Geophysical survey in the gardens of Castle House, Otford (EKE16333)
  • Intrusive Event: PROGRESS BUILDING (Ref: EI 16737) (EKE4395)
  • Intrusive Event: PROGRESS BUILDING (Ref: EI 16738) (EKE4396)

Record last edited

Sep 20 2022 3:08PM