20th February 2024
Alice Brockway
Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas (Kent), Historic England
Dear Alice,
Nomination for Scheduled Monument: Roman mausoleum and finds, Teynham, Kent.
Teynham Parish Council considers that the Roman mausoleum and finds, including the statue of the Roman sea god Triton, found in the Frognal Fields adjacent to the A2, Teynham, has significant potential to be classed as a Scheduled Monument of national importance.
Key highlights include:
- A significant Roman temple mausoleum, dating around 300AD, found adjacent to the Roman Watling Street (now the A2), Teynham, ME9 9TU.
- Foundations of the structure (about 8m x 8m) set within a 30m walled enclosure, within a larger 65m x 70m outer precinct.
- Stone statue of the Roman sea god Triton c70cm tall.
- Possible links to Roman Villa found previously at Bax Farm (c1km away)
- Significant archaeological interest from the British Museum and Canterbury Archaeological Trust.
- Survival / condition - Structures in the ground, including the mausoleum, are remarkably well defined. The statue of Triton, although decapitated, is in excellent condition.
Requested action:
- We request Historic England formally evaluate the site to determine if it has the status to be a classed as a Scheduled Monument.
There is significant urgency in this request. The owners and developers of the site are scheduled to start work this month to create a new roundabout and access road directly on top of the mausoleum (subject to final signoff of planning conditions by the local planning authority, Swale Borough Council.)
A brief synopsis, key contacts and details of the planning application numbers are shown overleaf. If you need further information, please contact our chairman Paul Townson on 077 9000 3743, or by email: chairman@teynhamparishcouncil.org
Your sincerely
Hayley Steel, Clerk to Teynham Parish Council