Trust to mark centenary of historic excavation

Canterbury Archaeological Trust will spend the next eight weeks researching the Folkestone & Hythe District Council-owned land, as well as preserving Roman remains associated with the area.

To mark the centenary of Samuel and Rosalind Winbolt’s first excavation of East Wear Bay, a large trench area that includes part of the villa structural remains will be opened.

A Folkestone & Hythe District Council spokesperson said: “We’re happy to support the work of the Canterbury Archaeological Trust and looking forward to finding out more about the site through its findings.”

Roman remains were first discovered in about 1919, with the first excavations taking place in 1924. The villa was occupied by the army in the 1940s before it was reburied in 1957 and almost entirely forgotten about.

After being reburied, excavations of the site have been taking place since the 1980s.

Residents interested in finding out more or getting involved can email get_involved@canterburytrust.ac.uk – no previous experience is necessary.