[TQ 9951 6114] Roman Burial Ground [NAT] (1) "A" TQ 9949 6112 - sited from plan (2) "B" TQ 9958 6110 - sited from plan (3) When the main road at Judd's Hill was diverted slightly to the north- wards in the early 19th century, a great quantity of Roman coins, pottery, oyster shells and other debris was found. During the Ospringe excavations in 1922 extensive trenching in the area centred at TQ 9940 6118 - "C" (2) produced a single inhumation and some potsherds, none of which are described or dated. [Note: no additional evidence to support the O.S. published entry was found.] (2-4) The main road at Judd's Hill until it was diverted seems to have followed the line of the Roman Road (Watling Street R.R.1b). The banks of the cutting of the diversion are grassed over and nothing could be seen in them or in the hop fields on the N. side of the road. No information on the site was gained locally and there is no record of any subsequent discoveries. (5) Further minor finds parallel to N. side of Roman Road. Evidence from test-holes indicated that an extensive settlement existed at the bottom of the Syndale Valley in the 2nd - 4th centures A.D. The scatter of occupation material extended for c. 650ft. east-west and probably covered a similar area south of the road. The impression is of a small road-settlement, possibly the site of DUROLEVUM. (For possibly related Roman remains see TQ 96 SE 12, 8, 4, 2, 32.) (6)

In 2007 the Kent Archaeological Field School carried out a small excavation on the south side of the road. Hawley's 1922 excavation was apparently located. A hearth reportedly found by Hawley was rediscovered but found to be a sarcophagus with a tile lid. This apparently overlay a 3rd century kiln. Also found at this time were Roman cremation burials, the course of Watling Street and a large double ditch dated by pottery and coins to the early 1st century. Features relating to timber buildings were also found. (8)

In 2008 Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company carried out an evaluation on the site. Evidence of Iron Age and Roman occupation was found. (8)

<1> OS 25" 1962 (OS Card Reference). SKE48278.

<2> Ospringe Roman Cemetery Soc of Ants Exvavation Report No 8 1931 8 plans (W Whiting W Hawley and T Ma (OS Card Reference). SKE48435.

<3> Archaeol J 86 1929 p300 plan (W Whiting) (OS Card Reference). SKE37278.

<4> Archaeol Cantiana 9 1874 Ixxiv (T G Godfrey-Faussett) (OS Card Reference). SKE37274.

<5> F1 CFW 18-NOV-63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42634.

<6> Kent Archaeol Revue 43 Spring 1976 62 (B Philp) (OS Card Reference). SKE45899.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 96 SE 7 - November, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4891.

<8> Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey Company, 2008, Syndale Park Motel, London Road, Ospringe, near Faversham, Kent: Archaeological Evaluation Post Excavation Assessment DRAFT, page 6 (Unpublished document). SKE18240.