The Kent Archaeological Society was founded in 1857 to promote the study and publication of
archaeology
Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landsca ...
and
history
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
, especially that pertaining to the ancient county of
Kent
Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...
in
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
. This includes the modern administrative county as well as areas now subsumed by south east
London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
and in the district of
Medway.
It carries out
archaeological surveys and
excavations
In archaeology, excavation is the exposure, processing and recording of archaeological remains. An excavation site or "dig" is the area being studied. These locations range from one to several areas at a time during a project and can be condu ...
funded through membership subscriptions as well as being involved in the protection and recording of historic buildings and churches. In addition, it organises lectures, excursions and other education projects and can make grants or loans of equipment to archaeological projects. A library in the museum at
Maidstone
Maidstone is the largest town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. Maidstone is historically important and lies 32 miles (51 km) east-south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, linking it wi ...
is available for members' use and a field school, the Kent Archaeological Field School, is often run in the summer.
It publishes an annual journal, ''Archaeologia Cantiana'', and a quarterly newsletter. Through its Record Series, it publishes editions of
archival texts relating to the county, and it therefore functions as the
record society for Kent. It publishes other occasional volumes on specific topics.
Recent projects have included assisting in the excavation of the
Ringlemere barrow
The Ringlemere barrow is an archaeological site near Sandwich in the English county of Kent most famous as being the find site of the Ringlemere gold cup.
Because the metal detectorist reported finding the gold cup, professional archaeologists ...
and an edition and translation of the
Kent Hundred Rolls
The Kent Hundred Rolls are the documentary result of a 13th-century Crown inquiry or census into the rights of the English monarchy over land and property in the Hundreds (regional sub-divisions) of the county of Kent. The Rolls are preserved in ...
. A number of local societies are affiliated to it and it has links with national and county archaeological organisations.
External links
*
Online resources published by the Society
Archaeological organizations
Organizations established in 1857
History of Kent
History organisations based in the United Kingdom
Organisations based in Kent
Text publication societies
1857 establishments in England
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