Ancient History Kent: Prehistoric to Roman Times

The Prehistory of Kent: First Human Settlements

Kent's prehistoric story begins in the Palaeolithic period, or Old Stone Age, when the first human ancestors ventured into what would become Britain. The county has yielded some of Britain's most significant early human evidence, with sites like Swanscombe revealing the presence of early hominids as far back as 400,000 years ago. During this time, Kent was not an island but connected to continental Europe by a land bridge, allowing early humans to migrate into the area following herds of animals.

Excavations at Swanscombe have uncovered flint tools and, most famously, fragments of a skull belonging to an early human (Homo heidelbergensis), providing a tangible connection to our distant ancestors. These early inhabitants were hunter-gatherers, moving with the seasons and the availability of food. The rich resources of Kent—with its rivers, woodlands, and coastline—would have made it an attractive location for these nomadic peoples.

As the climate warmed following the last Ice Age around 12,000 years ago, Kent's landscape transformed dramatically. Rising sea levels eventually severed the land bridge with Europe, creating the English Channel and establishing Britain as an island. This pivotal geographical change would significantly influence Kent's future as a frontier and gateway to the continent.

The Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods: Hunter-Gatherers to Farmers

The Mesolithic period (10,000-4,000 BCE) saw more established hunter-gatherer communities developing in Kent, with archaeological evidence indicating seasonal settlements along rivers and coastal areas. These communities utilised more sophisticated flint tools and developed technologies suited to woodland environments and coastal exploitation.

The true transformation of Kent's landscape began with the Neolithic Revolution (4,000-2,500 BCE), when farming communities first established permanent settlements. This agricultural revolution fundamentally altered humans' relationship with the landscape, as forests were cleared for cultivation and animal husbandry. Kent's fertile soils proved ideal for these early farming communities.

Evidence of Neolithic life in Kent can be found in numerous locations, including burial monuments like the Medway Megaliths—a collection of chambered tombs and standing stones in the Medway valley. These impressive structures required significant communal effort to construct and suggest a well-organised society with established beliefs about death and the afterlife. The Coldrum Long Barrow near Trottiscliffe represents one of the best-preserved examples of these Neolithic monuments in Kent.

Agricultural settlements began to dot the landscape, particularly in areas with good soil and water access. Archaeological evidence suggests that wheat and barley were cultivated, while cattle, sheep, and pigs were raised for meat, milk, and wool. This period also saw the development of pottery, allowing for storage and cooking vessels that improved food preservation and preparation.

Bronze Age Kent: Metals and Trade Networks

The Bronze Age (2,500-800 BCE) brought further significant changes to Kent as metal technology transformed tools, weapons, and social structures. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, became increasingly important, and Kent's position on trade routes made it central to the exchange of these valuable materials.

Evidence of Bronze Age activity in Kent is widespread, with numerous burial mounds (barrows) found across the landscape. These often contained grave goods indicating status and wealth, suggesting an increasingly stratified society. The Dover Bronze Age Boat, discovered in 1992 during construction work in Dover, provides remarkable evidence of seafaring capabilities during this period. Dating to around 1550 BCE, this vessel—preserved in waterlogged conditions—is one of the most complete and oldest sea-going boats ever found.

Settlement patterns during the Bronze Age suggest communities were establishing more permanent territories, with field boundaries and enclosures becoming more common. Defensive structures began to appear on the landscape, indicating competition for resources and perhaps increasing social tensions as population and wealth grew.

By the late Bronze Age, increased connections with continental Europe influenced cultural developments in Kent. The region's strategic position made it particularly receptive to new ideas, technologies, and cultural practices arriving from across the Channel.

Iron Age Kent: Tribes, Hillforts, and European Connections

The Iron Age (800 BCE-43 CE) saw the emergence of distinct tribal identities in Britain, with Kent becoming the territory of the Cantiaci (or Cantii) tribe, from whom the modern name 'Kent' ultimately derives. This period witnessed increasing sophistication in social organisation, craft specialisation, and agricultural practices.

Iron Age Kent was characterised by defended hillforts, which served as centres for tribal authority, trade, and protection. Bigbury Camp near Canterbury represents one of Kent's most significant Iron Age fortifications. Archaeological evidence indicates it was attacked during Julius Caesar's expeditions to Britain in 55-54 BCE, with Roman ballista bolts found during excavations.

The Cantiaci developed sophisticated agricultural systems, expanded trade networks, and demonstrated remarkable craftsmanship in metalwork, pottery, and textiles. Their economy appears to have been relatively prosperous, with trade links to Gaul (modern France) bringing luxury goods and cultural influences.

By the late Iron Age, coinage was in use among the Cantiaci, indicating a sophisticated economy and possibly the influence of continental practices. These coins sometimes bore the names or symbols of tribal leaders, providing rare insights into the political structures of pre-Roman Kent.

The Cantiaci appear to have had relatively friendly relations with Rome in the century before the Claudian invasion of 43 CE, with trade and diplomatic contacts establishing a foundation for what would follow.

Roman Kent: Invasion, Occupation, and Integration

The Roman conquest of Britain in 43 CE began in Kent, with Emperor Claudius's forces landing near modern Richborough (Rutupiae). Kent's strategic position made it essential to Roman control of the island, and the county quickly became integrated into the expanding Roman province of Britannia.

Richborough developed into a major Roman fort and port, serving as the primary entry point to Britain. The imposing Richborough Castle ruins still visible today speak to the site's importance. A monumental triumphal arch was constructed there to commemorate the successful invasion, symbolising Roman dominance and permanence.

The Romans established a network of roads across Kent, with Watling Street being the most significant route connecting the port at Richborough with London (Londinium) and beyond. These roads transformed travel, trade, and military movement through the region and have influenced Kent's settlement patterns into modern times.

Canterbury (Durovernum Cantiacorum) emerged as the principal Roman town in Kent, with substantial urban development including public buildings, baths, temples, and a theatre. The street layout of modern Canterbury still follows some of the Roman grid pattern, demonstrating the lasting impact of Roman urban planning.

Across rural Kent, numerous Roman villas were established, particularly in the fertile agricultural areas. These ranged from modest farmsteads to elaborate country estates for wealthy Romans or Romanised Britons. The villa at Lullingstone provides one of Kent's most remarkable examples, with well-preserved mosaics and evidence of a private Christian chapel dating to the 4th century CE.

Roman occupation brought profound cultural changes to Kent, with new religious practices, architectural styles, foods, and technologies transforming life for local populations. Latin became the language of administration, though Celtic languages likely persisted in everyday use.

By the late Roman period (3rd-4th centuries CE), coastal defences known as the 'Saxon Shore forts' were constructed along Kent's coast to counter increasing raids from Germanic tribes. Richborough, Dover, and Reculver all featured these imposing fortifications, which would later influence medieval castle design.

The end of Roman rule in Britain around 410 CE did not represent an immediate or complete cultural break in Kent. Many aspects of Roman life continued, with gradual rather than sudden transformation as Anglo-Saxon influences increased throughout the 5th century.

Archaeological Discoveries: Unveiling Ancient Kent

Kent's rich archaeological record continues to yield new insights into its ancient past. Modern archaeological techniques, including geophysical surveys, aerial photography, and scientific dating methods, have transformed our understanding of the county's prehistoric and Roman landscapes.

Recent discoveries have included:

• A substantial Roman settlement at East Wear Bay, Folkestone, where excavations have revealed evidence of an important industrial site producing quern stones (for grinding grain) that were exported across Roman Britain.
• At Worth near Sandwich, excavation of a Roman temple revealed a long history of occupation dating back to the Iron Age, demonstrating continuity of sacred spaces across cultural transitions.
• Ongoing work at Richborough continues to reveal new details about this pivotal site, including evidence of early military occupation and later civilian settlement patterns.
• In 2022, archaeologists from the Kent Archaeological Society uncovered a Roman villa complex near Trosley, including a bath house and hypocaust heating system, adding to our understanding of rural Roman settlement in the county.

Perhaps most excitingly, in 2023, archaeologists in Teynham unearthed a statue of Triton, the Roman sea god, alongside a mausoleum dating back more than 1,700 years. This significant find highlights the continuing potential for new discoveries to transform our understanding of Roman Kent.

Community archaeology projects have become increasingly important in exploring Kent's ancient past, with local volunteers contributing to excavations and surveys across the county. These initiatives not only advance scholarly knowledge but also connect communities with their local heritage.

Visiting Ancient Kent Today

Many of Kent's ancient sites remain accessible to visitors today, offering tangible connections to the county's deep history. Beyond those already mentioned, notable sites include:

These sites, along with museums in Maidstone, Rochester, and Dartford, offer valuable opportunities to engage with Kent's ancient heritage through authentic archaeological remains and contextual information.

Conclusion: Kent's Pivotal Role in Ancient Britain

From the earliest human settlements to the sophisticated Roman province, Kent's strategic position at Britain's southeastern corner has given it a pivotal role in the island's development. As the gateway between Britain and continental Europe, Kent has consistently been at the forefront of cultural exchange, technological innovation, and historical change.

The archaeological evidence from Kent provides some of Britain's most important insights into prehistoric societies, the process of Romanisation, and the complex transitions between historical periods. These material remains—from megaliths to mosaics, burial mounds to bathhouses—offer tangible connections to our distant ancestors and their lived experiences.

As archaeological techniques continue to advance, new discoveries will undoubtedly enhance our understanding of ancient Kent further. The county's rich heritage remains a valuable resource for researchers and a source of fascination and education for visitors and residents alike.

Kent's ancient history is not merely of local or regional significance; it forms a crucial chapter in the story of Britain itself. Through its prehistoric monuments, Iron Age hillforts, and Roman towns, Kent preserves the material evidence of Britain's journey from prehistory into the classical world—a journey that would fundamentally shape the nation's future development.