ROMAN RELICS IN KENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20271, 2 December 1927, Page 12

ROMAN RELICS IN KENT.

EXCAVATION WORK AT RECULVER.

About three years ago the Roman fortress of Reculver (a corruption of the original Regulbium) was threatened by the builder of bungalows. There were about 1 1-5 acres of open ground still left within the Roman walls, which, if excavated, might reveal much in regard to the history of this Saxon shorefront. The required sum was raised just in time, but since the successful consummation of this objective there has been no fund for cavation. Quite recently, however, a small sum was generously placed at Major Gordon Home’s disposal for the purpose of excavation by Mr Harold Sands, F.S.A Favoured bv fairly good weather, Major Home recently began the opening up of the site (states the Morning Post). There are a number of questions which, it is hoped by archaeologists, these excava. tions will begin to answer. One is ,he date when the fort was first built, and another is to what extent the early cast rum is represented by the remains existing today. It is also" important to throw light on' the fate of Reculver early in the fifth century. How and when did it fall into the hands of the invaders? There is at present no previse knowledge of the gateways, nor is there any information as to the buildings within the fortress. It is not known whether the walls were constructed on a gentle slope or whether the saudv hillock was scarped so as to produce a vertical face, against which the massive walls were reared. These and many other questions may be partlv answered shortly Only a verv few men are employed, and the work is therefore proceeding slowly, for all the soil disturbed must be very close] v examined. and on account of the very limited sum at Major Home’s disposal the wages hill must ho kept to the most moderate dimensions.