Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/402

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A HISTORY OF KENT the further discovery of four perfect sickles, several iron rings, an engraved bronze buckle, etc. More recent discoveries at Bigberry Hill include numerous antiquities of iron such as sickles, bill hooks, hammers, chains, etc., of a character which pretty clearly indicates that they may be referred to the Prehistoric Age of Iron. In a paper read before the Royal Archsological Institute in 1902, Professor Boyd Dawkins ' shows that this camp ' falls into line with a series of settlements of Prehistoric Iron Age, such as Mount Caburn explored by the late General Pitt-Rivers, the Lake Village of Glastonbury explored by Mr. Bulleid, and Hunsbury, the remains from which are preserved in the museum at Northampton. They are pre-Roman, and probably belong to a period ranging from one to two centuries before the invasion of Britain by Cassar.' From the relation of this camp or settlement to the Pilgrims' Way which passes through it, it is pretty clear that the road is as ancient as the earthworks. As the various ancient earthworks of Kent will be dealt with in a separate section it is unnecessary to describe the camp more fully. Coins of TkE Ancient Britons. The chief names inscribed on the British coins of Kent are those, usually in abbreviated form, of Eppillus, Dubnovellaunus and Vosenos,^ who were probably rulers of Kent or parts of Kent. Of the first-named prince there are a good many copper coins. It was formerly believed that they were confined to the Kentish district, but a few examples have been found elsewhere. There are two types of inscribed gold coins of Dubnovellaunus. Most of the coins, however, are uninscribed. Perhaps the most remarkable feature about the Kentish coinage at this early period consists in the employment of the metal tin, or rather an alloy largely composed of tin. These coins are rather roughly cast and show little if any attempt at ornament. The usual device on the obverse is a rude and weak representation of a helmeted head in profile, and on the reverse the figure of a bull. Two hoards of these coins have been found at Birchington, and individual specimens have been found at Lenham Heath, and by the writer on the sea beach at Deal. The coins found at Reculver, consisting of three uninscribed pieces and one each of the coins of Cunobelinus, Tasciovanus, and Addedomaros respectively present a richness of variety which is note- worthy. At Boughton Monchelsea too, a parish near Maidstone, have been found coins of Dubnovellaunus, Cunobelinus and Amminus ; whilst from Aylesford parish, at or near Kits Coty House, three coins are recorded — one of Eppillus, one of Amminus, and one uninscribed. At Canterbury was found some years ago a brass or copper coin of consider- ' Arch. Joum. lix. 211-18. ' The form of this name is not precisely known. Possibly, as Sir John Evans has suggested, the full name may have been VOSIILLAVNOS, or VOSELLAVNOS.