More information : TQ 5359 5927: Roman Villa [NR] (1) Part of a Roman villa, consisting of a corridor about 8 feet wide, and 50 feet away a courtyard was excavated in 1927-8 by Pearce about 0.25 miles above Otford Station and south of Pilgrim's Way. [see plan AO/LP/63/108 (3)]. (2-3)
The corridor, with a rubbish pit to the north-east, and the courtyard were built in the second half of the 1st century and were in use in the 2nd century. The courtyard, with its cellar structure, was used as a cattle refuge after the house was burnt down in the late 2nd century. Coins found ranged from the 1st to the 4th century and pottery from the 1st to 4th centuries (mostly 3rd and 4th century). Other finds included a La Tene I-II fibula, tesserae and painted plaster. A Grimes type III pottery kiln, apparently abandoned circa 100 AD, was also excavated. [See plan.] (4-5)
This villa lies beneath a long established orchard and there is nothing to be seen. The majority of the finds are in Maidstone Museum but a selection, which includes 2 flagons from the kiln site, are in Sevenoaks Public Library and Museum. (6)
TQ 5362 5922: ROMAN VILLA [R] (site of) [NAT] (7)
The siting generally accepted by local archaeologists is that shown on the OS 25". (8)
Walling, rubble, plaster and pottery located by excavation at TQ 5362 5921 in April 1971. (9)
Roman villa, Otford, Kent. Scheduled No. 150. (10)
Additional bibliography. (11)
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