Remains of a Roman ‘manufacturing site’ are unearthed by builders trying to develop houses on an 18-acre site next to a major A-road in Kent
- Builders clearing a plot of land for a housing project unearthed the lost town
- It spans for 18 acres beside the A2 in Newington, Kent and includes a temple
- Archaeologists also uncovered an ancient 23 foot (7 metre) road at the site
- Is considered to be one of the most important archaeological finds in the region
An ancient Roman settlement has been unearthed by builders in Kent and is being heralded as ‘a thriving manufacturing site’.
The 18-acre site also revealed a haul of pottery, rare coins and its own temple.
Developers were preparing a patch of land next to a major road in Newington, Kent for a housing project when they discovered the lost town, which dates back as far as 43AD.
The temple at the site, close to what is now the A2, has since been named Watling Temple – making it one of only 150 such sites in England.
Archaeologists also uncovered an ancient 23 foot (7 metre) road which ran from London to the Kent coast.
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Builders preparing a patch of land next to a major motorway in Newington, Kent for an upcoming housing project discovered the lost town dating back as far as 43AD
Experts have hailed the discovery as one of the most significant finds in the region. The newly revealed settlement is destined to become 124 new homes as part of a Persimmon Homes new development.
Chairman of Newington History Group Dean Coles said: ‘This is very exciting. The scale of this site, with the huge number and quality of finds, changes our knowledge of Newington’s development.
‘We already had evidence of a Roman burial ground and Roman occupation in the immediate vicinity and this excavation shows there was a thriving manufacturing site in the heart of our village.
‘The temple and major road are massive discoveries. It proves the A2 wasn’t the only Roman road through the village.
‘As a group, we are keen to trace the route and destination of this new ‘highway” which may have connected with another temple excavated 50 years ago on the outskirts of Newington and a villa unearthed in 1882.’
Experts will analyse the findings and publish a report but the ancient remains will once again be covered up to make way for the housing development.
An ancient Roman settlement has been unearthed in Kent spanning over 18 acres and complete with pottery (pictured), rare coins and its own temple
The temple includes remains of a place of worship which has since been named Watling Temple – making it one of only 150 sites recorded in England
Archaeological director at Swale and Thames Archaeological Survey, Dr Paul Wilkinson said: ‘This is one of the most important discoveries of a Roman small town in Kent for many years with the preservation of Roman buildings and artefacts exceptional.’
Archaeology project manager Peter Cichy added: ‘This is one of the most significant sites in Kent but it’s only the beginning of months and months of work.
‘We will be analysing and dating our finds, sorting and piecing together thousands of pottery shards and writing up our report.’
Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD and remained for almost 400 years.
Remains of their occupation have been found scattered across the UK – including Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and the Roman Baths in Bath.
