By Joe Harbert

An archaeologist and his team have made a successful start at a dig attempting to find masonry remains at one of the earliest churches built in southern England.

Pathways to the Past - Exploring the Legacy of Ethelburga, was awarded a £100,000 grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund at the start of the month hoping to find various Anglo-Saxon heritage at Lyminge Parish Church, in Lyminge, near Folkestone.

The community project, which started on Monday, July 8, will enable further excavation to reveal whether the village has an enduring legacy for residents and its visitors.

Project manager Rob Baldwin believes the project will provide both historical and social benefits to the village.

He said: "This dig is really important to us as it will show how long we have had an active Christian church at the centre of our village."

The dig, which has taken place each year at the village since 2008, will be led by Dr Gabor Thomas from the University of Reading.

In the first week, Thomas and his team discovered a brick path under the tarmac of the south side of the church, which was believed to have been back-filled as far back as 1929.

The apse of the Anglo-Saxon church has also been revealed just below the surface on the same side; uncovered for the first time in 90 years.

The next phase of the project will go on to create step-free access to the current church, which is itself around one thousand years old and mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Mr Baldwin added: "The creation of disabled-friendly access will help us keep our ancient church as a community hub used for a whole range of secular as well as faith-based activities."

Lyminge is believed to be one of the most original sites in Anglo-Saxon history, with settlements believed to date as far back as the 5th century, giving the excavation both national and international significance.

The religious site is said to be pivotal to understanding the beginning of the conversion of the country to Christianity in the 7th Century AD.

The team hope to discover more Kent history as the dig continues throughout the upcoming weeks.

To read more about the work, visit here.

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