Monument record TQ 57 SW 34 - Early-medieval settlement, Dartford

Summary

A possible Anglo-Saxon settlement at Dartford. The evidence for the settlement is in the form of finds dating to the 7th century found under a floor in the south east corner of building number 119 at the Wellcome Chemical works: there may have been a sunked floored building or Grubenhaus associated with these finds.

Location

Grid reference TQ 5459 7452 (point) FCE
Map sheet TQ57SW
County KENT
District DARTFORD, KENT
Civil Parish DARTFORD, DARTFORD, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Anglo-Saxon Occupation Site, Dartford. Animal bones, sherds of coarse hand-made pottery and a bone pin were found in the soil about 3 ft. beneath the floor of building No. 119 at the Wellcome Chemical Works. The finds came from a hole dug in the S.E. Corner of the floor of the building which lies just S.W. of Nat. Grid Ref. 546746. [See Illustrations Card] Dr. J.N.L. Myers states that "the rim forms are unfamiliar to him in vessels of the pagan period". However, "..... I find a close similarity to some of the pottery from the important sixth-century pagan cemetary at Riseley, ... particularly with regard to paste, coloration and hardness. ... After some consideration I have formed the opinion that a seventh century age is not improbable." The animal bones were splintered and fragmentary, and have been identified by the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) as those of ox, pig and sheep. The bone pin is 3 3/4 ins. long and has a perforation, which is now broken away at the top. [Included is a description of the pottery sherds, and comparison is made with others from Ewell, Mortlake, Hanwell, and the Rose Lane sites at Canterbury.] (1) Messrs. Burroughs, Wellcome Ltd., holds the finds from this site. (2) The SE corner of building No. 119 falls at TQ 54597452. No further finds are reported. (3) Additional bibliography. (4-5)


<1> Arch. Cant. vol.70, 1956. pp.256-9, illus. (P.J. Tester) (OS Card Reference). SKE37116.

<2> F1 ASP 16-OCT-59 (OS Card Reference). SKE42140.

<3> F2 ASP 11-SEP-64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43103.

<4> The Arch of AS Eng 1976 416 (DM Wilson) (OS Card Reference). SKE49957.

<5> Deserted Med Villages 1971 156 (M Beresford and JG Hurst) (OS Card Reference). SKE39721.

<6> Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 34 - October, 1959 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3142.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 34 - September, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE3143.

Sources/Archives (7)

  • <1> OS Card Reference: Arch. Cant. vol.70, 1956. pp.256-9, illus. (P.J. Tester).
  • <2> OS Card Reference: F1 ASP 16-OCT-59.
  • <3> OS Card Reference: F2 ASP 11-SEP-64.
  • <4> OS Card Reference: The Arch of AS Eng 1976 416 (DM Wilson).
  • <5> OS Card Reference: Deserted Med Villages 1971 156 (M Beresford and JG Hurst).
  • <6> Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 34 - October, 1959.
  • <7>XY Bibliographic reference: Field report for monument TQ 57 SW 34 - September, 1964. [Mapped feature: #77483 Settlement, ]

Finds (3)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

May 12 2021 5:58PM