Kilns discovery could lead to a Romans rethink
Stuart Woledge
THE DISCOVERY of two Roman structures in Otford could lead to a revaluation of their time in Britain.
The last two weeks of an archeological project to excavate a site in the village drew to a close earlier this month with experts believing they may have unearthed two pottery kilns, each around 4m in diameter.
Until now it had not been thought that the firing of pottery – a huge industry in Roman times – was carried out in this area.
Sevenoaks archeologist Diarmaid Walshe spearheaded the dig.
He believes if scientific analysis proves his finds are kilns, Otford could have been at the centre of an industry that supplied pottery to Roman settlements all over the South East.
"If they are pottery kilns it's very important because, according to experts, there were no pottery kilns in this area.
"We can't confirm it yet, but on the face of it they do appear to be pottery kilns because we've got massive quantities of pottery sitting in there.
"Pottery was like plastic is today. It would have been used from day to day.
"It could confirm Otford was a very important centre in Roman Britain and the South East because it would have been a large centre of production."
Although Mr Walshe admitted the structures could in fact turn out to be bread ovens, the further discovery of a puddling pond nearby seems to add weight to his theory.
He explained the puddling pond, around 20m by 10m, would have been used for processing the clay before moulding and then firing it in the kilns.
Items such as roof tiles would almost certainly have been made there and transported around the region.
"This would have been a large scale industry," he said.
Scientific analysis should confirm his theory one way or another within the next three months.
As well as the structures, his team of 45, who came from as far away as Florida in the US, also discovered around 50 coins dating from the 1st century right up until the end of the Roman period in the 4th century.
Seven broaches, one of which can still be fastened, were uncovered too.
And the discovery of an early Saxon whorl, which would have been used to spin thread, gave further cause for excitement.
The Saxons prospered after the Romans deserted Britain, although comparably little is known about their society.
Mr Walshe said: "That was the Dark Ages so we're not fully sure what happened.
"All we do know is that even after the Romans left, there was still some form of settlement in Otford."
This is not the first time Mr Walshe has made the headlines.
Last year the Chronicle reported he had uncovered evidence that suggested the site in Otford – the exact location of which remains a closely guarded secret – dated back to the Stone Age.
And in 2007 he discovered a mosaic floor at an archeological site near Tel Aviv.
13 Comments
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by Diarmaid Walshe, Kent
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 9:43PM
“A very fair comment but in this case the story is accurate. Just a pity the some of the comments by people who seem reluctlant to put their name in the public domain were not checked for accuracy before they made them”
by J.D., UK
Saturday, June 13 2009, 4:35PM
“Fair point mr eastwood, but you would hopefully agree that writing a 'good story' for the public does not mean that a story has to be inaccurate, or accept real questions. If it Is factually wrong, not a nit picking, then it is wrong.
Newspapers often get it a bit wrong, but why not correct a mistake? Rather than get defensive. A good story can also be factually correct without spoiling it for the 'public'.”
by F Eastwood, London
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 6:40AM
“As an outsider from this debate, a member of the media , and an Archaeologiist i would like to point out that a story for the readers of a newspaper is not a document! When will you "experts" realise that history is about people for people! So when a newspaper story is written it is done so for the public, not for you so called "experts" to pick holes in. If you knew everything we would not have to dig. Please stop trying to make Archeology a closed shop.”
by Diarmaid Walshe, Kent
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 9:12AM
“I will be publishing as normal the excavation report on the site. Unlike others within the area I publish within 6 months a full report on the excavated site.. In addition HER are provided to KCC and the specail finds put on the PAS. I will alos be providing a copy to the ADS.
I agree that the lack of publish reports within the area is regretable and hope that they will ensure that these reports are published shortly”
by James Doherty, Dartford, Kent
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 8:23AM
“Well said Mr Walshe! Thanks for taking the time to respond to these comments. (Which I have to say have been very unfair!!) I myself have an active interest in the Roman occupation around the Darent Valley (and Otford area) and have found your article quite exciting.
The lack of published reports about the Otford area by local archaeology groups have proven more than disappointing over the years... do you plan to publish your findings to the public? E.g. Archaeology Data Service (ADS)
J Doherty”
by Diarmaid Walshe, Kent
Monday, May 18 2009, 11:16PM
“As the excavator I feel its only fair to put the record straight.
In regard to the comments I cant tell the difference between a kiln and a oven, I would point out that I have said that they are kilns due to the high firing of the clay which from analysis carried out so far, shows the firing reached about 700-800C.
There is no report from the 1928 excavation (no reports published) that shows Kilns in Otford. The report the person refers to is from the Progress Villa kiln outside Otford that was not properly excavated or published. These kilns are separate and are producing a totally different fabric to the ones found in our Kilns. I would refer people to both Monaghan and Swans reports on Roman pottery and he fact they only refer to the Progress Kilns and makes no mention of any Kilns in Otford
I am working very closely over the past year with one of the countries leading Roman pottery experts who believes and he has stated this publicly in a pottery excavation report on the site that Otford was the centre of a large and prosperous pottery industry. I find it strange that the author of these comments has not seen this report? These kilns provide foundation to his belief and he is very excited about it
In regard to the Dark Ages comment, I try to use terms the public can understand and there is little research on the early Saxon period in this area, so in fact we know very little, this is a fact rather than a belief. I am sure both Alcock and Dark leading experts on the late Roman, early Saxon era would be amused to see that when they have used the term Dark ages it was a bit ¿odd¿
As for the personal comments on my ability, the fact that the excavation had four professional archaeologist working on the site, one of which over saw the Kiln site, who whole agree with the findings would rather cast doubt on this comment. The person who ran the excavation on the Kiln has worked for many years for Archaeology South East and is currently an assistant tutor at the University of Sussex. I would suggest that people check their facts before they make rash and unfair comments
In regard to the person who said that he wished the Otford Group had been informed, well not only were they informed, the secretary of the group was one of the people who excavated the kilns. In addition I have spoke to the archaeoglist employed by the council in Maidstone in regard to the excavation. I do wish people again would check their facts.
I also note that the persons who have take a major issue with the report of the excavation seem reluctant to state their names, any reason for this.
Mark in regard to your comment I am not sure exactly what point are trying to make. Kilns have been uncovered which are of an industrial size on a know Roman settlement site which have produce over 30Kg of Roman pottery, this was not know before. This is important as it does cast a new light on an area that has suffered form lack of properly published report.”
by Dave, USA
Wednesday, May 13 2009, 1:32PM
“Not exactly. I admitted that I didn't know something instead of pretending I did and hoping no one would notice. Also I was pointing out the ambiguity in the reporting rather than slamming an excavation of which I have no useful knowledge. The way I see it Mr Walshe has informed a reporter of the outcome of his excavation and the reporter, ignorant of the body of work available, has declared it a major breakthrough to get you to read it. You have to admit it worked.”
by mark young, Rochester
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 10:50AM
“You illustrate the point perfectly Dave; if you don't know about a subject then it helps to ask someone who does and maybe do some research rather than just speculate in ignorance. Neither the excavator, the journalist or you yourself seem to have done that and so here we all are looking at a complete non-story.”
by Dave, USA
Monday, May 11 2009, 11:25PM
“You'll often find that it's reporters that have little grasp of basic archaeology. A forgivable trait in a journalist. Perhaps we know nothing about Otford in the dark ages? I know I don't.”
by Interested Archaeologist, UK
Sunday, May 03 2009, 4:40PM
“I have to agree with the previous comments, as the Oftord Pottery has been known since 1928. Add to that, some rather odd comments about the 'Dark Ages' - which all serious archaeologists no longer describe this period - it is very well recorded and is certainly not Dark - Perhaps Mr Walshe has no idea what happened, but thank goodness the rest of us do.
To be unable to decide between kilns and bread ovens? Come on? Is this a spoof story.”