The ancient temple was part of a huge Roman Town that was discovered in Kent last year (Picture: SWNS
The ancient temple was part of a huge Roman Town that was discovered in Kent last year (Picture: SWNS

Historians have stopped a 2,000-year-old temple from being bulldozed by developers by offering to rebuild it in their village.

The Romano-Celtic temple was unearthed by archaeologists in April on a plot of land earmarked for housing in Newington, Kent.

They found rare coins, pots, a well, an iron smelting kiln and foundations of the inner temple.

It follows the discovery of an entire Roman town in Newington last year.

The 18-acre settlement was found to be  in exceptional condition and has been hailed as one of the most significant finds in regional archaeological history.

Remains of the ancient temple have been placed in storage this week, after Newington History Group (NHG) sought permission off archaeologists to re-site it in their village.

Dean Coles, chairman of NHG, said: ‘We’re excited and proud to have obtained Watling Place Temple for the village.

Foundations of the inner temple discovered by archaeologists under a building site (Picture: SWNS)
Foundations of the inner temple discovered by archaeologists under a building site (Picture: SWNS)
Celtic stater crop - gold celtic stater (inscribed) from Dubnovellanus (c.30-10BC) of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni tribes of pre-Roman Britain. Historians have saved a 2,000-year-old Romano-Celtic temple in the Kent village of Newington after developers were set to rebury it to build a housing development. See National News story NNtemple. Historians saved a 2,000-year-old temple from being destroyed by developers by offering to rebuild it in their village. The Romano-Celtic temple was set to be reburied just months after it was unearthed by archaeologists in April. It forms part of an entire Roman town discovered last year in Newington, Kent. The 18-acre site was in exceptional condition and has been hailed as one of the most significant finds in regional archaeological history.
A 2000 year old coin was among the items discovered at the site (Picture: SWNS)
A Roman pot found on the site. Historians have saved a 2,000-year-old Romano-Celtic temple in the Kent village of Newington after developers were set to rebury it to build a housing development. See National News story NNtemple. Historians saved a 2,000-year-old temple from being destroyed by developers by offering to rebuild it in their village. The Romano-Celtic temple was set to be reburied just months after it was unearthed by archaeologists in April. It forms part of an entire Roman town discovered last year in Newington, Kent. The 18-acre site was in exceptional condition and has been hailed as one of the most significant finds in regional archaeological history.
A Roman pot was also found on the site. (Picture: SWNS)
An Iron age smelting kiln. Historians have saved a 2,000-year-old Romano-Celtic temple in the Kent village of Newington after developers were set to rebury it to build a housing development. See National News story NNtemple. Historians saved a 2,000-year-old temple from being destroyed by developers by offering to rebuild it in their village. The Romano-Celtic temple was set to be reburied just months after it was unearthed by archaeologists in April. It forms part of an entire Roman town discovered last year in Newington, Kent. The 18-acre site was in exceptional condition and has been hailed as one of the most significant finds in regional archaeological history.
An Iron age smelting kiln was also unearthed (Picture: SWNS)
A flint lined well, one of 14 on site. Historians have saved a 2,000-year-old Romano-Celtic temple in the Kent village of Newington after developers were set to rebury it to build a housing development. See National News story NNtemple. Historians saved a 2,000-year-old temple from being destroyed by developers by offering to rebuild it in their village. The Romano-Celtic temple was set to be reburied just months after it was unearthed by archaeologists in April. It forms part of an entire Roman town discovered last year in Newington, Kent. The 18-acre site was in exceptional condition and has been hailed as one of the most significant finds in regional archaeological history.
A flint lined well at the site of the ancient temple (Picture: SWNS)

‘When news of the finds became public, villagers were upset at the thought of them being buried again.

‘We looked at how we could save the temple, recognising its unique and immense historic value to the village.’

‘Now the temple will be a physical reminder of Newington’s long and fascinating heritage.’

It is hoped the temple will become a focal point in Newington and illustrate how the village developed as a Roman town.

The are only 150 known sites of Roman Temples in England, meaning those which are found are considered to be of national importance.

Dr Paul Wilkinson, director of SWAT Archaeology, said the discovery strengthens the likelihood that Newington could be part of  the long-lost Roman town of Durooevum.

He said: ‘The industry, residential quarter and temple tell us that Newington could be Durolevum.

‘It is wonderful that part of our Roman heritage is to be rescued and preserved by the efforts of the local community.’

An exhibition of the excavations will be unveiled to the public next month.

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