[TQ 516 593] Excavations by the Sevenoaks Society at Twitton, partly on Frog Farm and partly in the Isolation Hospital grounds, uncovered Roman flue and roof tiles, fibulae, many nails and a great amount of pottery. The site covered an area at least 500ft. square. The material dated from the 1st to the 3rd centuries. A Patch Grove vessel found at the hospital was used as a cinerary urn of a cremation with 2nd century Roman pottery and is in Sevenoaks Museum with similar pottery from Frog Farm. (1-3)

Finds from the site are in Sevenoaks Public Library and Museum and include Samian (31 and 33), Caistor ware, fibulae, part of a steelyard; 1st and 2nd century brass coins and a late 3rd century barbarous radiate. (4)

Romano-British farmstead at Twitton near Otford. Various investigations took place on this site between 1927 and 1937 (5-7), however no satisfactory conclusion was reached as to the nature of the site, beyond suggesting the existence of a "settlement" of 1st to 3rd centuries A.D. In April, 1966, test holes were opened and a series of rubbish pits revealed, which clearly dated the site to 60-100 A.D. Over 100 sherds, a large number being the "Patch Grove" type, had been found upto this point. Other more Romanised harder wares, and a comparatively high proportion of Gallo-Belgic and Samian fragments were also found. One pit of a later date contained a small proportion of the soft local pottery. A Greek provincial silver coin of Nero (A.D. 54-68), a Colchester BB brooch, and a fragment of another brooch were also produced. At the end of this season the cemetery was discovered some 400 yards from the site (see TQ 55 NW 36). (5-8)

Excavations continued in 1967 in grounds behind the Isolation Hospital revealing the full extent of the rubbish pits of 500ft. square. A few post-holes were located and various small finds including brooches, spoons, coins and pottery. (9)

[TQ 515 593] The excavations continued in 1975 at the Isolation Hospital. A second century rubbish pit was investigated, producing a quantity of Patch Grove ware and Samian. Possible imported bronze brooches of 2nd century date were also found. (10)

London-Essex stamped ware found on the Romano-British settlement at Wickham Field, Otford. (For related cemetery see TQ 55 NW 36.) (11)

<1> Arch Cant 42 1930 230-1 illusts (B W Pearce) (OS Card Reference). SKE35111.

<2> JRS 21 1931 245 (OS Card Reference). SKE45059.

<3> Arch 90 1944 176 (J B Ward Perkins) (OS Card Reference). SKE34462.

<4> F1 CFW 08-AUG-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE42480.

<5> Arch Cant 46 1934 198 (F Godwin) (OS Card Reference). SKE35180.

<6> Arch Cant 49 1937 286 (F Godwin) (OS Card Reference). SKE35242.

<7> Arch Cant 42 1930 230-1 illus (OS Card Reference). SKE35110.

<8> KAR 4 1966-7 (A Young) (OS Card Reference). SKE45329.

<9> KAR 13 1966 5 illus (C P Ward) (OS Card Reference). SKE45237.

<10> Arch Cant 91 1975 210 (P E Leach) (OS Card Reference). SKE36055.

<11> KAR 72 1983 26-7 illus (J A Pyke) (OS Card Reference). SKE45416.

<12> Field report for monument TQ 55 NW 9 - August, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2800.

<13> Clifford P. Ward, 1990, The Romano-British Cemetery at Otford, Kent, in the context of contemporary funerary practices in the south east (Unpublished document). SKe6723.