A significant archaeological discovery has been made at a medieval shipyard site near Tenterden, Kent. The excavation, conducted by archaeologists over the past few years, has unearthed evidence of a previously unknown Roman settlement dating back to the 1st to 3rd centuries CE.
Mercurius by Artus Quellinus the Elder. Credit: C messier, Wikimedia Commons
Among the remarkable findings is an exceptionally rare clay figurine head depicting the god Mercury, making it one of fewer than ten ever found in Britain. The head, measuring just 5cm tall, is made from pipeclay, a material typically imported from central Gaul and the Rhine-Moselle region, and was likely used for private religious practices or placed in children’s graves.
Nathalie Cohen, an archaeologist with the National Trust, described the significance of the find: “To come across a head of a figurine of Mercury, in pipeclay, is incredibly rare. Just 5cm tall, the head is clearly visible as Mercury, with his winged headdress. We sadly did not find the remaining part of the figurine.”
Other findings at the site include stamped tiles bearing the mark of the Classis Britannica, the Roman fleet in Britain, further highlighting the settlement’s connection to maritime activities. Additionally, excavations have uncovered ceramics, evidence of buildings, boundary features, and pits, providing valuable clues about the daily life of the riverside community.
Dr. Matthew Fittock, an expert on ceramic figurines in Roman Britain, explained the potential significance of the deliberate breakage of such figurines: “Rather than pieces being discarded because they were broken, there is evidence to suggest that deliberately breaking some figurine heads was an important ritual practice, whereas whole figurines are usually found in graves.”
Smallhythe Place, managed by the National Trust, was previously known for its medieval shipbuilding activities. However, the recent discoveries have expanded our understanding of the site’s history, revealing its earlier Roman occupation and its role as part of the Roman Empire’s import and infrastructure network in southern England and the Channel.
The figurine head, along with other artifacts uncovered during the excavations, will be put on display at Smallhythe Place, offering visitors a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
