Roman grooming set discovered at the bottom of a river in Kent containing a 2000-year-old EAR BUD and a pair of tweezers
- A roman ear bud, pair of tweezers and other grooming tools were uncovered
- Artefacts were found at bottom of a river by archaeologists near Dartford, Kent
- Archaeologists think they fell from a barge more than two millennia ago
A set of 2000-year-old Roman grooming tools including tweezers and an ear bud have been uncovered by archaeologists.
Experts discovered the ancient grooming set at the bottom of a river, and think they may have fallen in from a barge more than two millennia ago.
The artefacts were dug up by archaeologists near Dartford, Kent, alongside a piece of timber believed to have been used in construction.
A set of ancient Roman tweezers and ear cleaners have been discovered – in remarkable condition near Dartford
The Roman ear cleaner – which looks like a metal cotton bud – was discovered during the excavation of a drainage trench earlier this year.
A pair of tweezers, which also date back 2,000 years, were shaped identically to modern-day tweezers.
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, which is building the new Springhead Bridge near Dartford, has commissioned specialists to preserve the timber in wax – a process which takes more than a year.
The Roman ear cleaner – which looks like a metal cotton bud – was discovered during the excavation of a drainage trench earlier this year
Julia Gregory, director of projects for the Ebbsfleet Garden City, said: ‘Ebbsfleet Garden City and the surrounding area has a fascinating history.
‘While the work goes on to document the items found, it would be lovely to find them a permanent home here in the Garden City at some point in the future.’
Full-time archaeologists were employed at the site due to significant finds elsewhere in the area – including elephant bones, which were discovered during the construction of the High Speed 1 railway line.
Pottery was also found nearby, which was identified as being of Saxon origin.
In Roman times, the River Ebbsfleet was the site of a settlement called Vagniacis
In Roman times, the River Ebbsfleet was the site of a settlement called Vagniacis – and used to link Watling Street to the River Thames.
In the 14th century it was a stopping place for pilgrims on the road to Canterbury.
It is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as ‘Ypwines fleot’ or ‘Heopwines fleot’ – ‘fleot’ being Anglo-Saxon for tidal inlet.
The Chronicle also mentions a bridge across the river at Northfleet in 1451, which was still being used into the 19th century.
A piece of timber believed to have been used in construction – which will now be preserved in wax