[TR 0080 6336] The apparent remains of a Belgic ditch system at Barnfield, Oare, were uncovered during preliminary excavations by the Faversham Archaeological Research Group in autumn 1968. A V-shaped ditch, 5ft. wide and 3ft. deep was traced for 20ft. in an east-west direction. In the easterly direction it appeared to have been ploughed away. The ditch had been filled with oyster shells to a depth of 3ft., which were potsherds and animal bones. The sherds havebeen identified as being of Gallo-Belgic type and tentatively dated tonot later than 20 A.D. (1)(2) Colonel Johnson, Old Vicarage, Oare, indicated the site of the excavations extending from within his kitchen garden, into an arable field to the N., and central about TR 0083 6346. The Colonel dug the first trench in his garden where there was a concentration of sherds and oyster shells. He found a ditch 3ft. below the ground surface, 2 to 3ft. in width and 1ft. deep, filled with oyster shells and earth, with some potsherds. Alan Gidlow was called in and by a series of trenches, the ditch was followed northwards for about 60.0 metres, when a second similar ditch found, crossing it, was followed eastwards for some 30.0 metres. At every point, the ditches contained oyster shells and sherds. At TR 0083 6346, a worn Roman coin was found, which was identified by Brian Philp as a radiate crown of c. 270 A.D. It is in Colonel Johnson's possession. Other finds are with Gidlow. The trenches were filled in and there is nothing now to be seen beyonda scatter of oyster shell on the surface, but it is hoped to carry outa full excavation of the site later. Surveyed at 1:2500. (3)

<1> Kent A Review 17 1969 29 (A Gidlow) (OS Card Reference). SKE45706.

<2> Arch Cant 84 1969 238-9 (A Gidlow) (OS Card Reference). SKE35785.

<3> F1 ASP 07-APR-70 (OS Card Reference). SKE41977.

<4> Field report for monument TR 06 SW 42 - April, 1970 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5307.