May 2023
Spring issue May 2023
New podcasts now available to download
Supporting new Trainee programme builds future success careers
Historic Buildings
Our new releases
Exhibition Success
www.canterburytrust.co.uk
WITH HERITAGE SOLUTIONS DEVELOPMENT ENABLING
Canterbury Archaeological Trust provides rapid, reliable, high quality and cost-effective heritage solutions. We work across the UK, using our expertise and knowledge to enable planning professionals, developers and individuals to realise their developments. Our specialists are professionally registered, highly motivated and ready to help.
• Planning consultation • Mitigation advice • Advice and support through the planning process • Desk-based assessments • Heritage Statements • Environmental Impact Assessments • Archaeological evaluation and test-pitting • Archaeological strip, map and sample • Archaeological excavation • Watching brief, groundwork monitoring • Surveying • Built heritage (historic building) evaluation and recording • Environmental archaeology • Insect assessment and analysis • X-ray analysis • Finds processing and analysis
To discuss your project contact us: 01227 462 062 or admin@canterburytrust.co.uk
Welcome Welcome to the spring 2023 edition of the CAT newsletter. This time of year brings the hope of blue skies and finer weather, something which our team of field archaeologists are certainly looking forward to, especially after some of the appalling weather conditions endured over the winter – with some sites, quite literally, under water! In this edition, we are celebrating our future archaeologists and archaeological specialists, introducing some of those who are either just beginning their careers at Canterbury Archaeological Trust or those more established in archaeology who are developing and learning new skills. We also introduce a new member of the CAT team, Mark Williams, Senior Operations Manager. Mark brings a wealth of archaeological experience, as well as an interest in sustainable development and climate change, and is excited by the opportunity of joining CAT at this important point in our development. And finally, we showcase some of the recent work undertaken by the Trust, including that by our Artist-in-Residence, Bryan Hawkins, whose exhibition in Rochester presented art works inspired by archaeology.
In our spring issue Contents
Page
Supporting new careers
4
So what’s next on the horizon?
7
Finding excellent trainees are a rare find
8
Sustainable futures
12
Finds Showcase
13
Built heritage – Dovecote
14
News
16
Alison Hicks, Director
Exhibition success Return to Fort Burgoyne Ian Coulson Bursary 2023 New releases
17
Editor Mark Houliston Writers Team CAT Design Karen Kelly Photography Team CAT
Supporting new careers Aedan
Trainee archaeologist People always told me that there was no future in ancient history or archaeology. I guess they had never heard of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) trainee programme. My route into archaeology is a somewhat unconventional one; I studied ancient history at bachelor’s and ancient history with archaeology at master’s. Initially, I thought that I would go into lecturing; I enjoyed research and had just had work published in the newest edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary. Subsequently, academia seemed like the logical next step. However, I have always been fond of archaeology and was interested in becoming an archaeologist, although I was apprehensive that because I had not done my degree and master’s purely in archaeology, that this would be a hurdle. This was a misconception. Through the connections CAT have with the University of Kent, I had my first encounter with the Trust, as a volunteer, last summer, for a dig at the excavation of a mosaic within the Roman villa at East Wear Bay, Folkstone. My mentor, Adelina the Osteoarchaeologist, Finds and Archive Manager, gave me an outstanding impression of the Trust. Seeing my enthusiasm for the work, Adelina encouraged me to apply to the Trust as a trainee archaeologist. The rest, as they say, is history!
The Trust has a long established reputation for supporting new careers in archaeology. Strong partnerships with universities have helped students like Aedan and Olivia to realise their passions for archaeological research and work.
How the trust supports trainees CAT’s training programme for Trainee Archaeologists has been running for just over two years. During this time, fourteen young people, with various levels of previous archaeological knowledge but consistent in their enthusiasm and desire to learn, have been successfully trained to the level of Field Archaeologist. The majority are still with us and collectively they now form an important and dynamic component of CAT’s professional excavation team. Our training programme has been assessed and approved by the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, which means on completion the successful trainees are at the industry-recognised level of Practitioner (PCIfA). The training lasts for twelve weeks and includes a mix of formal instruction and practical experience, primarily delivered on-site by Senior Archaeologists and Project Officers. This unique opportunity to learn from experienced CAT staff on real commercial sites is central to our training concept, having been designed to best prepare these new employees for the challenges of modern commercial archaeology. Professional archaeologists need to have the skills and knowledge to interpret, excavate and evaluate
Everyone at the Trust is lovely and has made me feel so welcome! They have provided good training and support, and I believe that this is a very exciting opportunity for anyone looking to start a career in this line of work. If you can take anything away from my experience, it would be: get in touch with the Trust, look on BAJR for openings/opportunities in the field, and go on as many volunteer digs as you can!
Olivia Trainee archaeologist I ’ve had an interest in history from a young age, particularly in ancient history, although I had a limited understanding about archaeology until I went to college. This was where the archaeological world and all its ground breaking work first opened up to me. I decided to enrol on a combined honours degree of archaeology and history at Canterbury Christ Church University. At university I spent eight weeks in the field, which really showed me how enjoyable and rewarding field archaeology could be. CCCU taught me how to
excavate and process finds which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was this work that persuaded me to apply to CAT for a trainee position. My experiences in fieldwork at CCCU also encouraged me to further my interests within archaeology such as osteoarchaeology, burials, and Roman and Greek artefacts. I am now studying an MA on the archaeology/history of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds at the University of Kent alongside my role at CAT. My work at CAT has really offered me the chance to work in a field archaeological role
remains against the often dynamic background of a modern commercial development. Fortunately for CAT, our existing teams have the ability to do this and, of vital importance for the long-term future
and gain further knowledge and experience. The trainee programme of which I’m part offers the opportunity to gain all the necessary skills, and more, to become a field archaeologist. The team at CAT are very helpful and great to work with, and I’m really enjoying my time here. The world of commercial archaeology is a massive learning curve and my ambition is to project manage, as well as work with artefacts.
of the organisation, the experience and willingness to pass their knowledge on to the next generation.
Humaira, Trainee archaeologist
I recently moved to the UK from Australia after only just completing my first year of my masters degree in archaeology at the University of New England, Australia. I wanted to find relevant work experience to kickstart my career in archaeology and the UK seemed to be the best place to go for that (and of course, it’s a great place to be to travel and explore). My love and fascination of all kinds of history started from a young age. It’s never really been about a specific time period or culture but rather the many people who have lived across the world through time and the aspects that humanise the past. Sometimes it’s the ‘mundane’ everyday parts of peoples’ lives that interest me most when thinking about history. I’m incredibly grateful and fortunate to be working with CAT. In the short
time that I’ve been here, I’ve met really incredible people who are happy to help in any way possible and I’ve learned so much in just a span of a month. Living in Australia where fewer archaeological opportunities exist, I’ve always been uncertain as to whether a career in this field would be realistic. However
this opportunity provided by CAT has already allowed me to feel confident and enjoy the
many different sides of archaeological work. I hope to stay here for the long term and pursue this job further as it’s
been an amazing time so far and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
Sometimes it’s the ‘mundane’ everyday parts of peoples’ lives that interest me most when thinking about history.
Digging deeper into Mark’s geoarchaeological training
train and become an in-house geoarchaeologist for CAT. My training so far has involved excavation of 4m deep testpits with sampling of fluvial gravel deposits, as well as monitoring window samples, with subsequent logging of the cores and producing transects of the underlying deposit model. The geoarchaeological training I have received has benefited my role as a senior archaeologist, as it has given me a better understanding of how to describe the soils on our sites and allowed me to have a wider recognition of Palaeolithic material that may be present in evaluations, excavations and watching briefs. Like all new adventures and roles, it has been an already steep
Of all the things I have done in my archaeological career, I never would have thought that digging even deeper holes and making sense of really old dirt would be where I would be today... I was drawn to the role when it was initially advertised as I have previously undertaken some geoarchaeological monitoring works when I was previously employed with Wessex Archaeology - one highlight being the monitoring of cofferdams in a river for a new bridge. Over the last few months, I have been undertaking geoarchaeological training with, and being mentored by, Dr Martin Bates of University of Wales, Lampeter, in order to
learning curve, with spare moments of my time reading through the South East Research Framework for Palaeolithic Kent, as well as getting to grips with a whole new recording language with terms such as GISH, BISH, ORBR.... I look forward to undertaking more geoarchaeological works, and to attend lectures, seminars and training courses to expand my knowledge and understanding.
So what’s next on the horizon? Meet Tom Axtell and Jamie Purnell, both post-trainees at CAT. Together they went to inspire the next generation of archaeologists at Canterbury Christ Church University.
As members of the CAT field team and both alumni of Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), we made a return to our place of learning at the end of December. We had been invited to talk to current students about our employment and experiences in commercial archaeology since starting at CAT as trainees in 2021, and our subsequent employment as field archaeologists. The session was very well received, taking the form of a panel hosted by Lisa Duffy (CCCU). We were there to give the students an opportunity to ask us to relate our experiences in moving from an academic course to employment, to offer insights into commercial life, and to explain what we’ve found useful during our employment so far. A range of topics was discussed, ranging from what to put in a CV, and more general advice about working in the field. We were both very keen to emphasise the importance of teamwork and what we enjoy about the work, while also mentioning the challenges we face (such as the weather!). We both found it very enjoyable to discuss with the students our experience of working at CAT and in commercial archaeology, and hope that we’ve helped persuade at least some of them to work in field archaeology.
Finding excellent trainees are a...
One of our new specialists in training at Canterbury Archaeological Trust’s busy Finds department. Rich is studying for his PhD at Canterbury Christ Church University and joins our team of specialists, using our long-established reference collection to develop his future career as a Registered Finds Specialist.
...rare find
Rich Phd student and Registered Finds Specialist
I first became interested in archaeology by chance when I started a joint honours history and archaeology degree at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU). Going out on excavation at the CCCU field school led me to dropping history entirely and I haven’t looked back. After doing an MA at Cardiff, I rejoined CCCU to undertake a PhD on the reuse of Roman material culture in Early Anglo-Saxon settlements in Kent. A key part of this is looking at objects and how these might have been adapted for reuse centuries after their initial use and deposition. This led to an interest in small finds which I was able to further by looking at the CAT archives in Wincheap, and doing a couple of short reports. I’m thrilled this has evolved into a role at CAT and I’m looking forward to working alongside this great team.
Martha
MA student and Pottery Specialist
My draw into archaeology came through my undergraduate degree at the University of Kent, in which I had wanted to focus on Classics. In the first practical fieldwork class I attended, the students excavated and processed materials recovered from an excavation site; for this particular project I wrote a piece on the hundreds of animal bones we recovered and really enjoyed the process. In my third year, I began focussing my interests in Roman pottery as part of a paper I was writing, later to be published in the Journal of Roman Pottery Studies . That was when I decided to pursue a
specialism in Roman pottery, specifically of Kent. I embarked on an MA at the University of Kent. KAS provided a grant that enabled me to write up an assemblage recovered from an excavation with unpublished material. After starting the MA, I became a volunteer for CAT in order to work with Marion Green, to locate and digitise the Pottery Fabric Reference Collection which is an ongoing project. I’m now in the last year of my part-time MA, finishing off identifying the pottery from the KAS site which I will then be writing up in my dissertation.
To follow our trainees stories, to find out more about a career or how CAT can support your research needs, then visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk
Sustainable futures
We welcome Mark Williams, Senior Operations Manager, the newest member of the CAT team. Mark talks about his hopes for the future with CAT, the importance of creating a sustainable approach to heritage and building better futures.
I have had an interest in school work experience with Teesside Archaeology in 19 (cough). Following a degree in Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford I worked for several years in the East Midlands with memorable projects at Newark Castle and several projects in the city of Lincoln, another major Roman and Medieval city! In 2009 I took a position as a archaeology from a young age. I remember my secondary
the only fieldwork archaeologist to teams of over 50 archaeologists working throughout the southeast of England. The downside of working for a large national company is often that it can feel very compartmentalised, and I wanted work within an environment where the commercial side was more integrated and outreach, education and the academic investigation more embedded in the day to day activities. I strongly believe that ultimately this type of approach provides
how archaeology and heritage can contribute to today’s key issues such as sustainability and climate change. I am currently most of the way through an MSc in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex and have presented on the “Archaeology has vast potential to inform and educate.” subject to commercial, academic and heritage audiences. Archaeology has vast potential to inform and educate on these issues and there is a huge opportunity to work with clients to make positive impact, from development. To move beyond the traditional view of archaeology as being a discipline that just deals with the past.
Project Manager at Wessex Archaeology in their Salisbury office but just over a year later I moved to the newly formed London and
the best service for clients, and working with the Trust promises to give me that opportunity. More recently my interest has revolved around
Southeast office where I stayed for the next 13 years, most of that time as Regional Manager. In that time the office developed from me as
STAY CONNECTED You can download conversations with Mark on CAT’s podcasts now www.canterburytrust.co.uk/ podcast
Finds Showcase
Why not visit our Finds Showcase! It presents items discovered by Canterbury Archaeological Trust which have the power to connect us to the past. Amongst this collection of iconic and interesting finds from Kent we can see wealth and influence, the functional and the personal, all the items revealing something about their owners or the past. Spanning thousands of years, the items are an eclectic mixture of finds, each special in its own way and together demonstrating the broad range of material which is discovered when exploring the past.
www.unlockingourpast.co.uk/finds-showcase EARLY BRONZE AGE BURIAL ASSEMBLAGE Look for the new addition to our Finds Showcase
Built heritage
In the eighteenth century, the south bay
One of the more interesting building recording projects undertaken recently by the Trust concerns a ruined brick dovecote on the site of a former abbey at Leeds, near Maidstone. The dovecote is one of only two structures that have survived from the Augustinian Priory.
For further information on evaluation and building recording visit www.canterburytrust.co.uk/built-heritage
F ounded in the early twelfth century, the principal claustral buildings of the priory, including the church, have all been demolished. The site and the two buildings which do survive are now Scheduled Monuments. The dovecote dates from around the turn of the sixteenth century and is a substantial structure (approximately 20.0 metres in length by 7.3 metres in width), its monastic origins surely accounting for its large size. The feature was presumably intended to supply a relatively large population of monks, rather than the inhabitants of a typical farmstead. Originally, the dovecote interior was divided into three chambers or compartments, the walls of which were pierced by many hundreds of nesting holes. Birds would have entered the chambers through cupolas on the roof, the monks through three small doorways in the east wall. The roof originally terminated with attractive crow- stepped gables at either end. In the seventeenth century, perhaps, the two northern chambers were floored over and put to some other use, presumably an agricultural one. A new door,
windows and a winding newel staircase were formed at this time. In the eighteenth century, the south bay was divided off from the rest of the building by forming a passage through the structure, and it was re-roofed. The dovecote survived relatively intact down to the middle of the twentieth century but has since lost its roof and internal floors
along with the distinctive crow-stepped gables. Plans to restore the building and reinstate its missing features are presently being considered.
The Trust was commissioned to prepare detailed reconstruction drawings of the lost roof, floors and gables, based on the available evidence – primarily photographs of the building taken in the 1950s before it collapsed, a survey undertaken by John Caiger in the 1970s and a record of the fallen timbers made by the Oxford Archaeological Unit in 2000. Evidently, the dovecote was covered by an attractive and substantial arch-braced roof, with clasped side- purlins. The available evidence allowed the carpentry of the roof, which comprised nine bays, and missing floors, to be understood in some detail and it should, therefore, be possible to accurately recreate the original arrangements in new oak, if required.
News
Canterbury Archaeological Trust’s Artist-in-Residence, Bryan Hawkins, has presented his first exhibition with the Trust at the prestigious Rochester Art Gallery, Medway. The exhibition – The Ghosts of Other Things. Art, archaeology and archive – presented drawings, paintings, sculptures and a short film inspired by archaeological works at #InnovationParkMedway commissioned by Medway Council. The exhibition welcomed a staggering 3,000 visitors over a span of 11 weeks, and provided opportunities for visitors to experience a fusion of art, archaeology and archive. Bryan’s work helps the Trust develop new and diverse audiences by promoting archaeology through art-based community projects. To read more about Bryan’s work with the Trust and see examples of his work visit: www.canterburytrust.co.uk/artist-in-res Exhibition success
3,000 visitors to the exhibition over a span of 11 weeks
Return to Fort Burgoyne
For the past ten years Canterbury Archaeological Trust has been assisting the Land Trust with its stabilisation and restoration of Fort Burgoyne, near Dover Castle. This artillery fort was built during the 1860s* to defend the high ground overlooking the castle and appears to have been partially erected across the site of an earlier earthwork, ‘Oliver’s Mount’, perhaps of medieval date and related to the French siege of the castle in 1216–17. Originally known as Castle Hill Fort, Fort Burgoyne is of polygonal design, surrounded by a 10 metre (36 feet) wide ditch and flanked by two redoubts, the East Wing and West Wing Batteries, which were connected to the main fort by ditches. Construction work started in June 1861 and was mostly finished by 1868 but the fort was not finally completed until December 1873. The well- preserved fort is now a Scheduled Monument. Other restoration work is planned at the fort in the future, and this should allow us to continue our research at this fascinating site. *A full, detailed history of the Victorian fort has yet to be prepared, although Peter Seary prepared a detailed description of the surviving structure in 2016.
New releases
To purchase your copy go to www.canterburytrust.co.uk/new-releases
Farming, Everyday Life and Ritual By James Holman, Robert Masefield, Jonathan Rady and Jake Weekes
The Lower Lines By James Holman and Peter Kendall The Lower Lines formed a key part of the defences of Chatham Dockyard during the early part of the nineteenth century. While they were never used in combat, they became the focus for siege training during the later part of the century, and for the development of innovative new military technologies by the Royal Engineers. They were repurposed during the Second World War as part of the land defences for the Nore Command. The archaeological work undertaken between 2005 and 2009 focussed on two sites, at Mid Kent College and the Black Lion Leisure Centre. This work allowed study of the defences, but also provided an opportunity to investigate how the Royal Engineers were using the area. They constructed elaborate siege exercises, involving many hundreds of men, while also experimenting with new technologies such as electric searchlights.
Sixty centuries ago, someone placed a large broken bowl in a pit at Thanet Earth. Handfuls of wheat from the homeland followed, and fragments of saddle quern for grinding it, and more pottery, and flint tools, and ancestral bones... These were some of the first farmers in the British Isles, pioneers of a revolution that would affect everyday life for ever, and ritual too.
Farming, Everyday Life and Ritual continues this story as it develops over millennia at Thanet Earth, the previously unknown story of lives lost to history, rediscovered through their archaeological remains, the evidence unearthed during excavations by Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
The archaeology and contemporary records provide us with an intimate picture of what was taking place on the site throughout the nineteenth and into the twentieth centuries.
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