The Roman Roadside Settlement at Westhawk Farm, Ashford, Kent

Westhawk Farm is the site of a large Roman settlement established at an important road junction near Ashford, Kent, shortly after the Roman conquest. It was discovered and partly excavated in advance of a housing development. The settlement contained contrasting unplanned areas and groups of carefully laid out plots. Excavated timber buildings included circular and rectilinear structures and a polygonal shrine with a rectangular enclosure. The main concerns of the inhabitants were apparently agriculture and market services. Iron production was important, but probably only of local significance, although the settlement may have had a role in the administration of the iron industry. Activity at the site had declined greatly by the mid 3rd century, a striking pattern reflected elsewhere in the region but still of uncertain significance.