The Kent Archaeological Society

04/09/2026

What happens when archaeologists and metal detectorists get together to investigate Kent's past?

Our conference back in 2025 sought to explore just that topic.

The overall takeaway from the conference was clear: in Kent at least detectorists and archaeologists are willing and often do work together well, long gone are the days of shouting matches and arguments over the hobby.

Now, on the 31st October 2026 we will once again partner with LEGISE to further explore how archaeologists and metal detectorists can and do work closely together.

Come along and join us for talks on new discoveries from Roman Lympne, case studies from Sutton Hoo and St Margaret's at Cliffe, the work of the PAS which is nearing its 30 year anniversary, and a Roman coin hoard from Lenham. These excellent talks will all be interspersed with the opportunity to explore different metal detecting groups and even the opportunity to strike your own Early Medieval coin!

Tickets are now available on the KAS website: https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/events/kas-legise-metal-detecting-conference-save-the-date

03/09/2026

The Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies (MEMS) are hosting over the next three days the annual Fifteenth Century Conference, held last year in Durham.

The packed programme is filled with local and international speakers and we wish all those speaking and presenting the best of luck over the next three days.

A pop up exhibition will be held at The Canterbury Cathedral Archives on Friday 4th September.

If you'd like to learn more about MEMS, check out their website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/medieval-early-modern-studies

You can learn more about the Fifteenth Century Conference and join their mailing list here: https://c15thconference.com/

03/09/2026

The latest update by Dr Sheila Sweetinburgh featured on the Kent & Canterbury History and Heritage website:

03/09/2026

We return once again to our series highlighting the myriad history and archaeology groups throughout Kent!

Today we have The Folkestone and District Family History Society was founded in 1976 to encourage and promote the study of family history in the Southeast Kent area. It provides advice and assistance to members with Southeast Kent ancestry as well as to members whose roots are elsewhere and welcomes the beginner and the more experienced family historian alike.
We meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm in All Souls Church Hall, Cheriton, Folkestone, CT19 4HA.

Our programme includes speakers on subjects of interest to beginners and experts alike, as well as discussion and project sessions. Time is allowed at meetings for informal exchange of advice and information and shopping at the bookstall. A guided walk of a place of local historical interest is usually arranged in the summer.

Our journal “The Kentish Connection”, published quarterly and free to members, contains articles by members and information on various family history topics. A Members' Interests Index is maintained.

[email protected]

https://folkfhs.org.uk/index.htm

02/09/2026

A change of date for our upcoming zoom lecture with Coasts in Mind's Harry Farmer!

Harry's talk Echoes of Coastal Community will now be held on Thursday 17th September rather than the previously advertised 24th September.

Joining instructions will be shared closer to the 17th on our social media channels, direct to members, and on our website here - https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/events/echoes-of-coastal-community

Through the Uncovering Front Brents project the Kent Archaeological Society alongside Faversham Society Archaeological Research Group, Faversham Society, Faversham Creek Trust and the Coasts in Mind Project over 300 participants from the local community took part in a ten-day community archaeology project revealing the foundations of 19th century brickmakers' cottages. Participants aged 3 - 93 took part revealing the physical traces of communities who once call Front Brents home.

Revealed alongside the remains of the 19th century creekside housing are the voices of a working coastal community that once was. Discover how archaeological investigation combined with memory and local knowledge sharing events has shed light on coastal change along Faversham Creek and out into the Swale Estuary.

02/09/2026

🔎 THE KAS & LEGISE METAL DETECTING CONFERENCE IS BACK!

Following the success of last year's inaugural event, the Kent Archaeological Society's Archaeology Research Group and LEGISE are delighted to present the second annual KAS & LEGISE Metal Detecting Conference.

📅 Saturday 31 October 2026
🕤 10am–4:00pm
📍 Lenham Community Centre

It's a full day bringing together metal detectorists, archaeologists, researchers and heritage enthusiasts to explore some of the fascinating discoveries and research taking place in Kent.

This year's programme includes:

🏺 Archaeology and metal detecting
🪙 A Roman coin hoard discovered near Lenham
⚔️ Roman Lympne
⛏️ Almost 30 years of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Kent
👑 Sutton Hoo
🔎 A case study from St Margaret's at Cliffe
👥 Displays from detecting clubs, archaeological groups, and living history groups

And plenty of opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts and discover more about the archaeology of Kent.

🎟️ Tickets are now available.

👉 Find the full programme and booking information here:
https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/events/kas-legise-metal-detecting-conference-save-the-date

Discover. Record. Understand.

02/09/2026

Its

Today's Kentish word, taken from our online dictionary is

Ear
ee-r. vb. To plough. ""Eryng of land three times."" - Old Parish Book of Wye, 28 Henry 8.

A Dictionary of the Kentish Dialect and Provincialisms (1888). 50"

You can search the dictionary yourself here - https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/research/dictionary

Compiled by Camilla Harley.

28/08/2026

Our curator Andy would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who attended last night's talk "War Helms & Weapon Dancers" with Dr Andrew Richardson.

We had 23 attendees, who enjoyed a fascinating and thought-provoking talk led by Dr Richardson, with an excellent Q&A afterwards.

Thank you to Maidstone Community Support Centre for hosting us.

We hope to do more in-person talks in future, but in the meantime we can look ahead to our next Zoom lecture series which will be taking place on Thursday 24th September at 7pm with Museum of London Archaeology Harry Farmer of Coasts in Mind! Details can be found on our website: https://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/events/echoes-of-coastal-community

28/08/2026

It's !

In continuing cataloguing work on the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit collection, our curator Andy came across this lovely near complete Samian Ware dish from Faversham. Right in the centre, is a spiral design; a pseudostamp made by those potters who couldn't stamp or write in Latin.

Work is continuing on the KAS archaeological store and we are sure to have more wonderful finds to share!