Archaeological Sites in Kent

Kent's unique geographical position at the gateway to Britain has made it home to some of the most significant archaeological sites in the country. With a rich tapestry of prehistoric monuments, Iron Age settlements, Roman fortifications, Saxon cemeteries, and medieval structures, Kent provides an unparalleled window into England's ancient past. This page explores the most important archaeological sites across the county, the fascinating discoveries that have been made, and how Kent continues to contribute to our understanding of British archaeology.

The Archaeological Landscape of Kent

Kent's archaeological richness stems from its strategic position at the narrowest point of the Channel between Britain and continental Europe. As the historic entry point to Britain, Kent has been at the crossroads of migration, trade, and invasion for thousands of years. The county's varied topography of chalk downlands, river valleys, coastal plains, and woodland has supported diverse human settlements since prehistoric times.

The archaeological record in Kent spans from the Palaeolithic period through to the post-medieval era, with particularly strong evidence from the Roman, Saxon and medieval periods. The Kent Archaeological Society, founded in 1857, has been instrumental in documenting, excavating, and preserving these valuable sites, building a comprehensive picture of the county's human habitation across millennia.

Prehistoric Kent: Stone Age to Bronze Age

Kent's prehistoric archaeology offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of our earliest ancestors. The county contains evidence of human occupation dating back to the Lower Palaeolithic period, with notable discoveries in the Swanscombe area yielding some of Britain's most ancient human remains.

The Neolithic period (4000-2500 BC) saw the first farming communities establish themselves across Kent, leaving behind evidence of settlements and ritual monuments. Long barrows—elongated earthen burial mounds—have been identified at sites like Coldrum Long Barrow near Trottiscliffe, part of the Medway Megaliths group. These impressive funerary monuments contained collective burials and represent some of the earliest substantial constructions in the county.

The Bronze Age (2500-800 BC) is well-represented in Kent's archaeological record, particularly through round barrows—circular mounds that served as burial sites for social elites. Excavations of Bronze Age barrows at Ringwould have revealed significant funerary deposits, including pottery and metal grave goods that demonstrate the increasingly sophisticated material culture of the time. The Bronze Age also saw the appearance of defended settlements and field systems, indicating a more organised approach to managing the landscape.

Iron Age Kent: Hillforts and Tribal Territories

The Iron Age (800 BC-43 AD) was a period of significant social and cultural development in Kent. The most visible archaeological remains from this period are the impressive hillforts that once dominated the landscape. Bigbury Camp near Canterbury is Kent's largest Iron Age hillfort and is believed to be the site where Julius Caesar encountered resistance during his expeditions to Britain in 55-54 BC.

Archaeologists have uncovered extensive evidence of Iron Age settlement, craft production, and trade across Kent. The county was home to the Cantiaci tribe, whose sophisticated society minted coins, engaged in continental trade, and developed proto-urban settlements known as oppida. The oppida at Canterbury and Rochester would later become important Roman towns, demonstrating the continuity of settlement at these strategic locations.

Recent excavations have yielded remarkable insights into Iron Age religious practices. At Worth, near Sandwich, excavation of a later Roman temple revealed a long history of occupation dating back to the Iron Age. The finds included miniature bronze weapons and tools—votive offerings that provide evidence of ritual activity preceding the Roman period.

Featured Site: Bigbury Camp

Bigbury Camp Iron Age Hillfort

Located just west of Canterbury, Bigbury Camp is the largest Iron Age hillfort in Kent, covering approximately 10 hectares. Constructed around 350-300 BC, its impressive defences included ramparts, ditches, and fortified entrances. Archaeological evidence suggests it was a centre of industry and trade, with discoveries of ironworking and imported goods.

The site gained historical significance as the probable location of a battle between Julius Caesar's Roman forces and local tribes in 54 BC, described in Caesar's "Commentaries on the Gallic War." Excavations have revealed pottery, coins, and weapons, providing valuable insights into pre-Roman Kent society. The hillfort was likely abandoned after the Roman conquest, with settlement shifting to the developing Roman town of Canterbury (Durovernum Cantiacorum).

Roman Kent: From Invasion to Integration

Kent witnessed the beginning of the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD when Emperor Claudius's forces landed at Richborough (Rutupiae). This site, with its imposing Saxon Shore fort and triumphal arch, became the gateway to Roman Britain and a crucial point of connection with the wider Roman Empire. Over nearly four centuries of Roman rule, Kent developed into a prosperous and thoroughly Romanised region.

Canterbury (Durovernum Cantiacorum) emerged as the principal Roman town in Kent, with excavations revealing extensive remains of public buildings, defensive walls, and sophisticated private houses with mosaic floors. The town's museum houses an original Roman street, preserved beneath modern Canterbury, which provides a tangible link to this ancient urban landscape.

Beyond the urban centres, Roman Kent was characterised by a network of villa estates—agricultural centres that combined farming activities with luxurious accommodation for wealthy landowners. Lullingstone Roman Villa near Eynsford stands as one of Britain's most important villa sites, featuring remarkable wall paintings, mosaic floors, and a rare 4th-century house-church that provides early evidence of Christianity in Britain.

Recent archaeological work has continued to expand our understanding of Roman Kent. In 2022, archaeologists from the Kent Archaeological Society uncovered a previously unknown Roman villa complex near Trosley, complete with a bath house and hypocaust heating system. Meanwhile, at Teynham, a remarkable statue of Triton, the Roman sea god, was discovered in 2023 as part of a mausoleum dating back more than 1700 years.

Featured Site: Richborough Roman Fort

Richborough Roman Fort (Rutupiae)

Richborough Roman Fort, known as 'Rutupiae' in Roman times, marks the site where the Romans successfully invaded Britain in 43 AD under Emperor Claudius. What is now an inland site was once a strategic coastal location—an island in the Wantsum Channel separating the Isle of Thanet from mainland Kent.

The archaeological significance of Richborough cannot be overstated. It served first as a beachhead and supply base for the invasion, then became the site of a monumental triumphal arch commemorating the conquest, before developing into a civilian town. In the 3rd century, it was fortified as one of the Saxon Shore forts—defensive structures built to counter Saxon raiding parties along Britain's eastern and southern coasts.

Excavations have revealed one of the most complete sequences of Roman occupation in Britain, spanning from the invasion in 43 AD to beyond the end of Roman rule around 410. Visible remains include massive stone walls up to 10 feet thick, the foundations of the triumphal arch, and evidence of an amphitheatre. Richborough truly represents the beginning and end of Roman Britain.

Anglo-Saxon Kent: Kingdom and Conversion

Following the withdrawal of Roman forces in the early 5th century, Kent became one of the first areas of Britain to be settled by Germanic tribes, primarily the Jutes. Anglo-Saxon archaeology in Kent is particularly rich, with extensive cemetery evidence providing insights into this transformative period in British history.

The remarkable Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Finglesham has yielded hundreds of burials with magnificent grave goods, including jewellery, weapons, and household items. These finds illustrate both the continuation of pagan practices and the gradual transition to Christianity. Similarly, the recently-excavated cemetery at Ozengell produced a significant hoard of Anglo-Saxon artifacts, which was purchased by the Kent Archaeological Society in 2022 to keep these treasures in their county of origin.

Kent holds a special place in the history of Christianity in England. Archaeological evidence from St Martin's Church in Canterbury—believed to be the oldest continuously used parish church in the English-speaking world—supports historical accounts of Queen Bertha's Christian worship there before St Augustine's arrival in 597. Excavations at nearby St Augustine's Abbey have revealed the foundations of the original monastery established by Augustine, marking the beginning of the systematic conversion of Anglo-Saxon England.

Recent archaeological discoveries continue to expand our understanding of Anglo-Saxon Kent. Excavations at Lyminge have uncovered evidence of a royal Anglo-Saxon feasting hall, providing rare insights into the lives of the pagan kings who ruled Kent before conversion. Fragments of Anglo-Saxon stone churches have also been identified at Lyminge, St Mary-in-Castro at Dover, Northfleet and Minster-in-Sheppey, dating to around 670 AD.

Featured Site: Lyminge Anglo-Saxon Royal Hall

Lyminge Anglo-Saxon Settlement

The ongoing archaeological investigations at Lyminge have revolutionised our understanding of early Anglo-Saxon Kent. Excavations have uncovered evidence of a high-status settlement dating from the 5th to 9th centuries, including the foundations of a remarkable timber hall measuring over 21 metres in length—among the largest Anglo-Saxon structures ever discovered in Kent.

This grand hall, dated to around 600-630 AD, would have been the feasting place of Kent's early kings during the transition from paganism to Christianity. The quality and quantity of finds—including fine metalwork, imported glass vessels, and exotic food remains—testify to the wealth and connections of Lyminge's royal occupants.

The site also demonstrates the transition from secular royal centre to religious community, with archaeological evidence of an early monastery established in the mid-7th century. This transformation mirrors the broader conversion process in Anglo-Saxon England, with Lyminge providing one of the best-documented archaeological cases of this significant cultural change.

Medieval Kent: Castles, Cathedrals and Communities

The medieval archaeology of Kent reflects the county's prominence during this period. The Norman Conquest brought dramatic changes to the landscape, most visibly through the construction of castles and the rebuilding of religious institutions. Rochester Castle and Dover Castle stand as imposing reminders of Norman military architecture, while Canterbury Cathedral and Rochester Cathedral exemplify the ecclesiastical investment in the county.

Archaeological investigations have revealed much about the daily life of medieval communities in Kent. Urban excavations in Canterbury, Rochester, and Sandwich have uncovered evidence of craft industries, trade networks, and domestic arrangements. The waterlogged conditions along Kent's rivers and coast have preserved organic materials that rarely survive elsewhere, allowing archaeologists to reconstruct medieval environments with unusual detail.

The religious houses of medieval Kent have provided particularly rich archaeological insights. Excavations at St Augustine's Abbey, Lesnes Abbey, and Boxley Abbey have revealed the layout and function of these important institutions, which dominated both the spiritual and economic landscape of medieval Kent. Smaller parish churches across the county often contain archaeological evidence spanning the entire medieval period, showing how local communities expressed their faith through architecture and monuments.

Archaeological Research and Heritage in Kent Today

Kent's archaeological heritage continues to be investigated using increasingly sophisticated techniques. Remote sensing technologies like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) have revealed previously unknown sites hidden beneath forests or altered landscapes. Geophysical surveys allow archaeologists to map buried features without excavation, while scientific analysis of organic remains provides insights into ancient diets, migration patterns, and environmental conditions.

The county's archaeological record faces ongoing challenges from development, agriculture, and coastal erosion. The East Wear Bay Archaeological Project exemplifies modern approaches to these challenges, conducting rescue excavations on an important multi-period site threatened by coastal erosion near Folkestone. This project has uncovered evidence of settlement and industry spanning from the Late Iron Age through the Roman period, including a significant quern stone manufacturing site that exported grinding stones across southeast Britain.

Public engagement with Kent's archaeological heritage has never been stronger. Community archaeology projects encourage local participation in excavation and research, while museums and heritage centres across the county bring archaeological discoveries to life through innovative displays and educational programmes. The Canterbury Archaeological Trust, founded in 1975, continues to lead excavations, research, and public outreach throughout Kent, ensuring that the county's archaeological story is continuously expanded and shared.

Visit Kent's Archaeological Sites

Many of Kent's most important archaeological sites are open to visitors, offering opportunities to directly experience the county's rich heritage. Richborough Roman Fort, managed by English Heritage, provides an excellent introduction to Roman Kent. The Roman Museum in Canterbury allows visitors to walk on an original Roman street, while Lullingstone Roman Villa showcases the luxury of rural Roman life.

Anglo-Saxon Kent can be explored through the collections at The Beaney in Canterbury and Dover Museum, which house important artifacts from this period. For medieval archaeology, the ruins of St Augustine's Abbey and Canterbury's city walls offer tangible connections to the past, complemented by the architectural splendour of the county's surviving medieval buildings.

Archaeological discoveries continue to emerge across Kent, constantly adding new chapters to the county's remarkable story. By visiting these sites and supporting the organisations that research and protect them, you can play a part in preserving Kent's archaeological heritage for future generations.

Key Archaeological Sites in Kent

Richborough Roman Fort

Roman (43-410 AD)

Gateway to Roman Britain and landing site of the Claudian invasion in 43 AD. Features include massive defensive walls, the foundations of a triumphal arch, and evidence of continuous occupation from the invasion until the end of Roman rule.

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Lyminge Anglo-Saxon Settlement

Anglo-Saxon (5th-9th centuries)

Royal Anglo-Saxon settlement featuring a great hall and evidence of the transition from pagan royal centre to Christian community, providing unique insights into early Anglo-Saxon Kent.

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Bigbury Camp

Iron Age (c.350-50 BC)

Kent's largest Iron Age hillfort, believed to be the site of conflict between Julius Caesar's forces and local tribes. Archaeological evidence shows it was a centre for ironworking and trade.

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Finglesham Anglo-Saxon Cemetery

Anglo-Saxon (5th-7th centuries)

One of Kent's most important Anglo-Saxon burial grounds, with exceptionally rich grave goods including jewellery, weapons, and household items that provide insights into early medieval society.

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Further Reading and Resources

For those interested in exploring Kent's archaeology further, the following resources provide valuable starting points:

• The Kent Archaeological Society - Founded in 1857, the society publishes research and organises events related to Kent's archaeology
• The Canterbury Archaeological Trust - Leading archaeological excavations and research across Kent
• Kent Archives - Housing important archaeological records and historical documents
• Canterbury Roman Museum - Built around the remains of a Roman townhouse with in-situ mosaics
• Richborough Roman Fort - English Heritage site with visitor centre and extensive remains

Whether you're a serious researcher or simply curious about Kent's ancient past, the county's archaeological heritage offers a fascinating window into thousands of years of human history. From the first hunter-gatherers to traverse the land bridge connecting Britain to Europe, through waves of migration, invasion and settlement, to the development of medieval towns and religious institutions, Kent's archaeological record tells the story of England itself.