King of Kings
Tom Whipple writes:

Yesterday, it was dubbed "the seat of power", but for over a decade the single fragment of thousand-year-old pelvis lay unstudied and unloved in Winchester museum's archives. No longer. It seems that this overlooked bone could be the pelvis that rode against the Danes—the first glimpse in a thousand years of the man who united a nation, championed the English language and remains our only monarch to gain the title "Great": King Alfred. An investigation into remains found beneath the high altar of an old abbey in Winchester has found a bone belonging to a middle-aged man from the 9th century. The only documented burials in the site that fit that description were of Alfred the Great, and Edward, his son, also a king, who extended the writ of Wessex as far north as the Humber. Now the hope is to excavate further and uncover the rest of him.

Archaeologists analysed the bones as an afterthought, after investigators inspired by last year's discovery of Richard III under a Leicester car park exhumed a skeleton that local legend maintained was that of Alfred. Those remains turned out to be from centuries later, but having hired the services of a radiocarbon-dater they also looked at other bones dug up nearby in the 1990s. "We were so disappointed when we heard about the skeletons," said Rose Burns, a resident who had campaigned for the examination, conducted by the University of Winchester. She did not hold out much hope for the other tests.

When the osteoarchaeologist called to give her the news, "I was on the M25. I was so relieved." She called her fellow campaigner, Edward Fennell, "I pulled over to the hard shoulder and said, 'We got it'." The reason why she could be so certain the find was important was because of both the unique history of the site, and the unusually eventful history of Alfred's and his family's bones. First buried in Winchester cathedral in 899, Alfred's remains were moved to the newly formed Hyde Abbey nearby, along with Edward and Alwitha, his wife, in 1100.

There they remained in a tomb by the altar until the Reformation, when the Abbey was levelled.Further complications came in the 18th century, after a prison was built on the site and the bones were scattered.

However, in 1866 a Victorian archaeologist claimed to have found the grave of the Wessex family, complete with royal memorabilia as proof.

He sold the bones to a local vicar for 10 shillings, but not before the "memorabilia" was shown to be an incompetent forgery. Those were the bones that were initially tested and shown to have been far too recent. However, the fact that the abbey was built in the 12th century meant that any other bones, such as the pelvis, found on the site dating from earlier were highly likely to be those of the Wessex family.

"The simplest explanation, given there was no Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Hyde Abbey, is that this bone comes from one of the members of the West Saxon royal family," said Dr Katie Tucker, who performed the tests. The hope is that further investigations could not just uncover more of the skeleton but also establish firmer evidence that it is Alfred or Edward.

Mr Fennel says the bone, which he calls the "Seat of power of the Royal House of Wessex", could be the beginning of a new chapter in the eventful history of Alfred's remains. A team led by Oxford University is keen to continue the investigation and Winchester University has guaranteed funding, but the site is now on community land. "We need to get the gardeners to agree to let us dig it up," said Mr Fennell.

The ‘Times’ comments in its leader that:

First, a year ago, came the news that the body of Richard III had been found, having lain in Leicester for over five centuries beneath what had become a car park. Yesterday, yielded from the rather more dignified hiding place of a Winchester abbey, emerged bones which both documentary evidence and scientific analysis suggest are likely to belong to a much more celebrated English monarch — Alfred the Great. In the niche business of regal remains recovery, these past 12 months have proved exceptionally fruitful.

King Richard died in 1485. If that date appears almost unimaginably distant, then consider 899, when King Alfred breathed his last, fully 1,115 years ago. As the man reputed to have invented the first rudimentary clock — using a candle — Alfred would savour these statistics describing the immense span between his interment and his (probable) discovery.

Reportedly wedded to technological progress, he would also surely salute the ingenuity his descendants can now deploy to make such judgements.

Human intelligence has once again been shown to respect no boundaries. Who knows? One day even the fantasies of The Da Vinci Code, linking Jesus to human descendants in Scotland, may sensationally be proved true. It is no accident that Alfred, alone among English monarchs, has earned the suffix "great".

He was the first monarch with a claim to be a truly national leader. He resisted invasion. He succeeded in unifying territory that became, and is, a recognisable sovereign state. Should the remains in Winchester be confirmed as his — DNA analysis could identify a modern-day relative, Alfred the Mediocre or some such — the full pomp and ceremony of a royal funeral is warranted. In honouring a man of this calibre, being a millennium or so late counts as a mere detail.

Silchester dig reveals vast pre-Roman buildings

Norman Hammond writes:

One of the largest prehistoric buildings known from ancient Britain has been uncovered below the Roman city of Silchester. Dating to around the time of Christ, and a few decades before the Roman conquest of AD43, the timber structure in Hampshire was more than twice as long as a cricket pitch, and "without parallel in Iron Age Britain", according to Professor Michael Fulford, of Reading University. The structure has been gradually revealed by Professor Fulford's excavations of an entire insula or city block near the centre of Calleva Atrebatum, the Roman name of this city of the Atrebates tribe near modern Basingstoke. Calleva is notable as one of the few Roman cities still exposed, rather than built over in medieval and later times: as a result the Insula IX Town Life Project, now approaching its final season in 2014, has been able to explore more than 2,000 square metres of the Roman and pre-Roman community.

In 2012, some 24 metres of the long building were found: this year its footprint has been extended to 44 metres (143ft), and the north eastern end has still not been located. "The sheer size of the building is astonishing". Professor Fulford said. "Whether we shall establish its complete plan within the limits of our excavation trench remains to be seen."

Equally striking is the discovery that this was but one of a succession of important structures on this spot, built, demolished and rebuilt over no more than a couple of generations. The first was a rectangular hall built of timber posts, 15 metres long and 4.5 metres wide, aligned from northwest to southeast and dated by associated Finds to after 20BC. This was soon replaced by the extended hall of more than 44 metres, built, surprisingly, on the opposite alignment from northeast to southwest, and this was in turn quite soon replaced by a smaller but still impressive post-built hall more than 23 metres by 11 metres.

(75ft by 36ft) in size on the same orientation. Even more surprising to Professor Fulford was that in between these two phases of major construction a modest round house only five metres in diameter was constructed. It was, however, associated with luxury goods including imported continental tablewares, suggesting an elite building with apparently chiefly residents are known from other sites of this period, including one near Thetford in Norfolk which may have been the home of Boudicca's father, Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni.

The entire sequence seems to fall within some 40 years, the last two decades before and the first two after the birth of Christ. "These belong within the timespan of one or two generations," Professor Fulford said. Even the last building did not last long: it was covered by a cultivated soil for some 20 years before the Roman conquest and the foundation of Calleva Atrebatum on the site of the Iron Age community.

"Nowhere else on the site is there a comparable succession of timber buildings, high-status buildings being replaced after as little as ten years," Professor Fulford observed. "One implication is of intense rivalry and political turbulence among leading members of the Atrebates, the seizure of property, and the conspicuous taking down and replacement of significant buildings." Atrebatic coinage, left, shows a succession of four rulers, with images and Latin inscriptions "claiming close affiliation with the world of Rome".

The last king, Verica, may have shifted the focus of his kingdom to West Sussex. Professor Fulford wonders whether this coincides with the abandonment of the last of the great timber halls, and even perhaps with a takeover of the region by the Catuvellauni tribe who lived farther north and east.

Although the remains of the city lie today in green fields, its former strategic importance is unmistakeable.

To find out more and to participate in excavations at Silchester see - http://www.reading.ac.uk/silchester/Excavations/sil-excavations.aspx

Secret caves at Lascaux by Louise Callaghan
A family secret kept for more than half a century has sparked a search for a second set of caves decorated with Stone Age paintings at Lascaux — the site in south western France known as the "Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric era".

The Lascaux caves have about 2,000 frescoes — some as much as 17,000 years old — depicting hundreds of images of animals. They were stumbled upon by a group of teenagers in the summer of 1940.

The caves were initially swamped with visitors and have been closed to the public since 1963 to protect their priceless art from humidity, mould and human breath.

Now, after decades of rumours, the authorities in Montignac, the nearest town, are investigating the possibility that a similar set of caves may exist 2 miles away from the first.

Laurent Mathieu, the mayor of Montignac, launched the investigation after an extraordinary tip-off from a resident. In August a 70-year-old woman had told him that her late husband and brother-in-law had stumbled across another set of painted caves back in 1962.

Instead of taking credit for the find , they sealed the caves to prevent their locale becoming a tourist magnet. The family were sworn to secrecy until, at the insistence of her children , the woman went to the mayor. Although he initially did not take her story seriously, he has now launched an investigation into the caves' existence.

"We will search the terrain closely to see if we'll find the caves," said Laurent. Early inquiries have proved promising enough to permit a detailed search by local experts and regional authorities. An area of 25 acres has been placed under discreet police protection to ward off any invasion by treasure hunters. "If there is anything, it's a huge discovery," said Laurent.

"But we can't make any big revelations at the moment."

For more details on the Lascaux caves see - http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/fr/00.xml

Under Another Sky.
Journeys in Roman Britain by Charlotte Higgins (Jonathan Cape, London, 2013)

The news of another book about Roman Britain provoked an initial groan; and, to make it worse, one by a journalist… But it turns out to be one of the best and, once started, it’s hard to put down. Its structure and narrative are finely crafted; anticipation of encountering its treatment of the familiar, and often the unfamiliar, draws the reader on.

Every reader will find his or her own pleasures and lessons here. It may be the main thesis, that the Romans have shaped our physical and emotional selves more than is sometimes acknowledged, at least by those who regard the Roman occupation as merely a temporary blip on the progression of our island’s history. For me, there were two things. The first is the way that Higgins caresses the places she visits with a love and deep knowledge of literature; for example, she fascinates as she entwines the story of female warriors from Boudica to Victoria via Tacitus, Horace, Holinshed, Shakespeare and many others. The second is her sense of place and her ability to recreate it; perhaps Londoners are privileged, as she walks up Edgware Road or through Barnsbury Square, but she is a keen observer of natural landscapes, whether wandering through the Mendips or struggling (as we all do) to find Silchester. We feel we too, her companions, have sailed with her in the camper van, and are there, on the site, listening to her. And, what a pleasure to have all this as a book, with subtleties that can be revisited; and not a TV programme.

Andrew Burnett

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten” Rudyard Kipling

Faction articles of life in Roman Kent by Paul Wilkinson have been published monthly in the county newspaper of Kent and are a hit with readers. For the amusement of academics read on!

In 2001 fieldwork by the Kent Archaeological Field School found the original lost route of the Roman Watling Street just to the west of Faversham in Syndale Park. Some years later KAFS returned and cut a section through this Roman road. It turned out to be about 12 metres wide (40ft), and was in extremely good condition and consisted of coarse sand mixed with fine gravel. Large flint stones had been used as a retaining kerb which showed up well in the geophysical survey. On the north edge of the road we found the frontage of a substantial stone-built Roman building. In the doorway leading directly on to the road discarded Roman pottery lay strewn about and on the edge of the road itself the remains of a hob-nailed boot and 14 Roman coins including two of silver....

As I picked up the last of the two coins I heard a voice and turning round saw standing over me a Roman centurion and his companion. “Not so fast, all booty needs to be collected, so stand aside”. I stood up and saw round me the settlement in flames and in the distance Roman horsemen gathering up the remains of a Frankish regiment of foot soldiers. “What’s going on?” I asked, “You are lucky to have survived, the countryside is in rebellion, and we have been sent to sort it out, you obviously not one of the Franks, so you must be one of use, so welcome”.

He offered me his hand in friendship and told me his name was Marcus Favonius Honoratus. I looked him over and saw the indicators of rank, his vine cane (vitis), the sword (gladius) carried on the left, and his chain mail vest told me he was a senior centurion of a legion. “Look out, here they come”, and over the rise of hill the far side of Ospringe I saw a Roman Legion advancing along Watling Street. Roman cavalry rode in front and at the sides of the advance party of a contingent of legionaries in close order followed by ten men from each legion to mark the route and clear away obstructions. I then saw the commander with his own bodyguard. “Who is that” I asked. “That is Constantius Chlorus, one of the greatest generals we have, and sent to sort out this mess out by Allectus going AWOL and trying to break away from the Roman Empire. Watch out, they are getting closer”. We moved to the side of the road as Constantius passed, and as he did he looked me up and down quizzically and made a sign to the centurion to keep an eye on me. Then came the legions led by its eagle and other standards, the men marching six abreast. As they tramped past the ground shook, it took two hours for the army to pass, tens of thousands of men, cavalry and pack horses. “Where are they off to I asked?” “To save Londinium from the Franks and restore Imperial power to the province” Marcus said. “I must go now, so look after yourself”. I looked around and saw people returning to their damaged or destroyed homes and shops in the small Roman town here at Syndale Park. I looked down and saw that Marcus had forgotten to pick up the coins, I bent down and started to collect them, and as I looked up the scene was as I had left it with archaeologists digging and recording one of the great roads of the Roman Empire.

The Roman road from Richborough and Dover to Canterbury and then on to London (all three were Roman towns) was one of the great achievements of the Romans in Britain. Built in about AD50, some six years after the initial conquest by Claudius in AD43 it ran beyond London for almost 300 miles, and in Kent for the most part is routed as the A2.

March, Sat & Sun 29th & 30th 2014, Field Walking and Map Analysis at Sittingbourne in Kent.

Field work at its most basic involves walking across the landscape recording features seen on the ground. On this weekend course we are concerned with recognising and recording artifacts found within the plough soil. These will include prehistoric flint tools and Roman pottery. One of the uses of field walking is to build up a database for large-scale regional archaeological surveys. We will consider the importance of regressive map analysis (left) as part of this procedure. The course will cover standard and non-standard linewalking, grid walking, pottery distribution, identifying pottery and artifacts. Free to members. £50 for non-members

Easter, April 18th to April 27th 2014. Excavation of and Investigation of a newly-discovered Roman villa at Teston, west of Maidstone in Kent

Our second season of investigation of this potentially stupendous Roman building on the banks of the River Medway just west of East Farleigh in Kent. A recent geophysical survey has indicated a large and important Roman villa complex overlooking the river which has not been previously investigated. Work done in 1872 exposed a large bath house which may bepart of the main villa or could have been another associated building. The villa complex seems to cover a wide area and there are reports of a mosaic pavement being uncovered in recent years. Our investigations will include an additional geophysical survey to see how many other Roman buildings remain to be discovered! KAFS member's special fee £20 per day (Over five years member £10), non-members £25 per day.

April 12th and 13th 2013, How to Identify Roman Building Materials with Paul Wilkinson

An opportunity to handle and have explained the essential building materials of Roman buildings. You will have the opportunity to handle the KAFS reserve collection of Roman building ceramics, painted plaster and mosaics. The course is designed to help you understand how the variety of building materials can enable you to interpret Roman buildings both in Britain and the wider Empire. Trip on Sunday to the Roman villa at Lullingstone. Cost is £50 with membership.

May Bank Holiday 3rd, 4th, 5th May 2014 An Introduction to Archaeology

On this Bank Holiday weekend and the Bank Holiday Monday we shall look at the ways in which archaeological sites are discovered and excavated and how different types of finds are studied to reveal the lives of former peoples. This course will be especially useful for those new to archaeology, as well as those considering studying the subject further. In the afternoons we will participate in an archaeological dig on a Roman villa under expert tuition. Cost is £50 with membership.

May 17th, 18th, 2014. Aerial Survey for Archaeologists.

"If you are studying the development of the landscape in an area, almost any aerial photograph is likely to contain a useful piece of information" Mick Aston 2002. A weekend spent learning about the vast archive of aerial photography available to the archaeologist. We will learn about the RCHME collection, the English Heritage collection at the NMR centre in Swindon, how to interpret and how to access the wonderful aerial world of Google Earth. on Sunday afternoon we will choose an unknown archaeological site on Google Earth and travel to it by car to see what is there! Cost is £50 with membership

May Bank Holiday 24th, 25th, 26th, 2014, Surveying for Archaeologists

A Bank Holiday weekend course on the theory and practice of archaeological survey. Methods from basic optical site levels to laser technology and GPS will be taught. The work of the Ordnance Survey will be explained from the early days of triangulation using a base line to the use of GPS and its drawbacks. Practical exercises will take place at a Roman building in Teston on vertical above ground sections and plan drawing. Context sheet recording for buildings and archaeological sites will also form part of the course. Cost is £50 with membership

June 28th & 29th, 2014, Landscape Archaeology

A course designed for all those who want to know more about the English landscape. Six main categories of information will be studied: Field Archaeology, aerial photography, historic maps, local history, and place-names. Dr Paul wilkinson in the afternoons will guide us through the countryside to show how to apply archaeological theory to interpret and understand the landscape of England. Cost is £50 with membership.

July 12th to July 20th 2014. Excavation of Bronze Age barrows at Hollingbourne in Kent

An opportunity to participate in the evaluation of three Bronze Age barrows on the North Downs east of Hollingbourne. The Field School excavated one of these barrows in 2012 and the second one in 2013 with a crouched burial. Further work is needed on the site to fully understand and excavate the last barrow in this sequence. KAFS member's special fee £20 per day (Over five years member £10), non-members £25 per day. Free camping is available on site

August 2nd to 17th 2014, Excavation of a Roman villa and bath-house in Faversham

An opportunity to participate in an important excavation of a Roman waterside building at Abbey Barns in Faversham. Originally built as an aisled building for the adjacent Roman villa it was then rebuilt as a huge bath-house. Our task for this year is to investigate the east end of the building to clarify if all the building was entirely a bath-house or whether it was attached to a domestic building. We will also investigate the waterway with augers to see if there any remains of Roman shipping and also investigate additional Roman buildings in the vicinity of the bath- house. This is an important investigation which will help to clarify the extent and importance of Roman Faversham and its harbour. KAFS member's special fee £20 per day (Over five years member £10), non-members £25 per day.

August 11th to August 17th 2014, Training Week for Students at Faversham in Kent

It is essential that anyone thinking of digging on an archaeological site is trained in the procedures used in professional archaeology. Dr Paul Wilkinson, author of the best selling "Archaeology" book and Director of the dig, will spend five days explaining to participants the methods used in modern archaeology. A typical training day will be classroom theory in the morning (at the Field School) followed by excavation at Abbey Barns Roman Villa in Faversham under the guidance of trained archaeologists. Topics taught each are: Monday 11th August: Why dig? Tuesday 12th August: Excavation Techniques Wednesday 13th August: Site Survey Thursday 14th August: Archaeological Recording Friday 15th August: Pottery identification Saturday and Sunday digging with the team A free PDF copy of "Archaeology" 3rd Edition will be given to participants. Cost for the course is £100 if membership is taken out at the time of booking. Non-members £175. The day starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. For directions to the Field School see 'Where ' on this website. For camping nearby see 'accomodation'.

You can download the KAFS booking form for all of our forthcoming courses directly from our website, or by clicking here

You can download the KAFS membership form directly from our website, or by clicking here