Archaeologists from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust (CAT) unearthed a trove of Roman artifacts, including a unique statue of the sea god Triton and a well-preserved mausoleum.
The dig, located near London Road in Teynham, was initially expected to yield interesting Roman archaeological finds, possibly a cemetery. However, the scale and significance of the discoveries far surpassed expectations.
“We are thrilled to share details of an exciting archaeological discovery near Teynham, Kent,” said Robert Masefield, Director for RPS. “These finds are now part of Teynham’s local legacy and the nation’s rich Roman story. Further study will place the findings in their full historical context.”
The development, undertaken by Moat Homes and Chartway Partnerships Group, sits along the ancient Roman Watling Street. Early assessments revealed fragments of chalk wall foundations and Roman cremation burials. This prompted Swale Council, advised by Kent County Council Heritage Conservation, to request a more extensive archaeological excavation of the 0.5-hectare site.
The CAT-led dig revealed a substantial walled enclosure measuring 30 meters square, surrounding a central structure roughly 7 meters square. Further investigation confirmed this structure to be a Roman mausoleum, containing a coin dating back to around 320-330 AD. Additionally, the site yielded evidence of Roman and potentially later burials with various grave goods.
However, the true crown jewel of the excavation was the discovery of a substantial stone statue depicting Triton, the Roman god of the sea.
This impressive statue stands at a formidable 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) tall and 70 centimeters wide, with a weight exceeding 132 pounds (60 kilograms). Remarkably, archaeologists found the statue positioned a mere 40 centimeters (1.3 feet) below the ground’s surface.
In Roman mythology, Triton is the son of Neptune, the god of the sea. This unique statue portrays him as a merman – a mythical creature with the upper body of a human and the tail of a fish. The sculpture depicts Triton riding a sea monster, further emphasizing his dominion over the ocean depths.
While the statue originally featured Triton holding a conch shell, this element appears to have broken off at some point. Despite this, the artifact remains in exceptional condition, believed to be carved sometime between the late first and second centuries AD.
Dr. Richard Hobbs, a senior curator of Roman Britain at the British Museum, expressed his enthusiasm about the find. “It’s spectacular,” he told MailOnline. “Although a few fragments of Triton sculptures are known from Roman Britain, nothing quite like this has been discovered before.”
The excavation at Teynham is ongoing, and further discoveries are anticipated. This exciting unearthing not only sheds light on the Roman presence in the region but also adds a captivating new chapter to the rich tapestry of British archaeological history.
Source: Canterbury Archaeological Trust