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 A bitterly cold wind on the evening of March 10th, 2010, did not deter people from coming out, to Greenstreet Methodist Church Hall, to hear Paul Smith give a presentation on the excavation in Perry Wood, Selling, undertaken last year. This was a follow-up to the guided walk of the earthworks that many of us had enjoyed with him last October.
We were reminded that the archaeological research group, made up of volunteers from the Selling area, was under the expert guidance from professionals from the Trust for Thanet Archaeology. Paul's presentation told us about the earlier research from past reference books and historic maps which led around 15 local Selling people to re-discover and update the information on the earthworks last year. A plan of the site had been printed in the nineteenth century when the ditches were surveyed during a general survey of earthworks in Kent. In recent times only part of the south-eastern corner of the enclosure could be seen on Ordnance Survey Maps as they had been thought to have been largely destroyed. However aerial photography showed this not to be true. The extensive growth of bracken obscures the earthworks for most of the year but in February 2009, when the latest survey started, they were more easily visible. The group of volunteers were shown how to identify the salient features and taught how to use modern surveying equipment to accurately record the tops and bases of banks and ditches. This enabled them to draw an up-to-date plan of the earthworks.
Later into the project the group dug some narrow trenches, across the earthwork ditches, but this did not yield sufficient significant finds to accurately date the earthworks. These 'finds' included pieces of Saxon pottery, some Mesolithic flints and part of a more modern metal tool.
By Autumn, the funding had run out and it was time to draw some conclusions. The hard work of the local volunteers had found and recorded that a large, rectangular, ditched enclosure survives in Perry Wood today. It is now thought to be of Roman origin, possibly on the site of an Iron Age Fort. There is a causeway entrance on the west side and bank remains on the south and west sides. On Windmill Hill there are the remains of an old post mill near the causeway. The mill features in early photographs of the area.
Now that the local people have an accurate plan of the site they are in a position to undertake further explorations in the future should funds become available. Further research may allow more accurate dating to take place and it is thought that geophysical research could also throw further light on matters.
This project shows how an an interest by local people, led by professional experts, can make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the history of the neighbourhood.
Maybe someday there will be a Visitor Centre in the middle of Perry Wood with Information Boards outlining the recent research. However, enlarged car parks and hoards of visitors might spoil the peaceful atmosphere of the area as it is today. Perry Wood is open all year round for everyone to explore and enjoy. If you don't know the area why not go along and have a look at the earthworks site for yourself?
Norma Baxter
Note: In 2009, several Society Members visited the Perry Wood site.
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