Isle Of Sheppey

It is not certain by what name it was known to the Romans. Ptolemy, in his geography, mentions two islands in this part of Britain, which he calls Toliapis and Counus. He describes the former of these islands in lon. 23. lat. 54. 15. the latter in lon. 24. lat. 54. 30. though what space he allowed to a degree is uncertain, but undoubtedly it appears to be much less than we do. The Romans and Saxons dubbed it the Isle of Sheep.

Later prehistoric, Roman and medieval occupation has been found by archaeologists in at the developments at Neat’s Court and St Clements CofE Primary School in Leysdown.

Roman Coin Hoard Found in 1969 at Leysdown, Isle of Sheppey

… a hoard of 500 sestertii and asses were dug up on the mud flats of Warden Bay; their range was from Titus to Postumus and included 8 contemporary cast forgeries.

Titus was emperor for the short period A.D. 79-81, while Postumus was the first emperor of the off-shoot – and illegitimate – “Gallic Empire”, comprising Britain, Gaul, Belgica, Germany and (at first) Spain, which he ruled from A.D. 260 until his death in 269. The inclusion of a late-1st century coin amongst the hoard is no indication of 1st century (or even 2nd century) activity, however.

Roman and Stone Age remains find at dig in Warden Bay on the Isle of Sheppey

Archaeologists working on the site of a proposed primary school have uncovered some exciting finds. Some of the artefacts uncovered include brooches, metal work, pots and signs of timber buildings. The dig, commissioned by Kent County Council, is taking place in Leysdown Road near the junction with Warden Bay Road. A spokesman for Archaeology South East, which is carrying out the dig, said: “Excavations are revealing Roman and medieval field systems, enclosures and pits containing evidence of everyday life in the Isle of Sheppey’s ancient past. “On the adjacent site, recent excavations have uncovered a late Iron Age or early Roman funeral pit, containing three fragmented ceramic vessels associated with cremated human bone, up to six badly corroded copper-alloy brooches and a cosmetic set comprising a copper-alloy pestle and mortar.”

References for Isle Of Sheppey

  • Chronicle of the Roman Emperors by Chris Scarre (Thames & Hudson, London, 1995);
  • Britannia i 1970 p.304

Map References for Isle Of Sheppey

NGRef: TR0271 OSMap: LR178

Roman Roads near Isle Of Sheppey

None identified

Sites near Isle Of Sheppey