The third group lies also on the right-hand side of the roadway, but at a distance of about 50 yards from it. It contains many large stones lying in a state of confusion, which suggests that the whole structure has either tumbled down or been purposely destroyed. A vigorous growth of bushes unfortunately hides some of these large blocks of stone, but some are visible, and one, which may perhaps have served as a capstone, measures 12 ft. 6 in. by 7 ft. 8 in., and is 2 ft. in thickness. It is this third group of stones which Mr. Petrie shows to have occupied the north-east end of the avenue.
Coldrum. Remains of an important megalithic structure exist at Coldrum Farm in Trottisclifle parish, situated about 1½ miles north of the stones in Addington Park just mentioned, and about ½ mile north-east of Trottisclifle Church. As already mentioned in quoting Mr. Petrie's description, these stones at Coldrum or Coldreham (as he calls it) are arranged in the form of a quadrangular enclosure round a central chamber of which the two massive upright stones still remain. A glance at the stones, both those which formed the central chamber and those which surrounded it, is sufficient to show that this was a monument of quite equal if not superior importance to that at Kits Coty House, and it is interesting to note that while that at Coldrum stands on the west bank of the Medway, Kits Coty House stands on the east bank. Both are situated on the lower slopes of the chalk hills, yet sufficiently high to command extensive views and to be visible the one from the other.
Another interesting point of similarity in the two cromlechs is that the space between the two main upright stones is pretty evenly divided by transverse stones, in the case of Kits Coty House by one, in that of Coldrum by two. In both cromlechs, therefore, we find double chambers, intended probably for two interments. The capstone is lacking in the Coldrum cromlech, but the two main upright stones, which are still in their original position, are remarkably massive, one being 11 ft. long, 7 ft. 2 in. high, and 2 ft. 3 in. thick, whilst the other is only slightly smaller. One of the largest of the stones forming the quadrangular enclosure is placed obliquely in the earth, and doubtless a considerable portion is below the surface; what is visible, however, measures 8 ft. 8 in. wide, 5 ft. high, and 3 ft. thick.
That the Coldrum cromlech was of great importance seems quite clear, and if the curiously square and regular forms of the upright stones are due to artificial shaping, the structure may be regarded as not only the finest, but also the latest example of the megalithic sepulchral chambers of the Kentish group.
It is possible that some of the masses of Sarsen stone which occur in various parts of Kent may be remains of sepulchral chambers, but the fact that they also occur naturally on the surface of the ground makes it practically impossible to determine the point.
There seems good evidence that a sepulchral chamber of the character described above once existed near Cobham Church. In or about the year 1830 Mr. F. C. Lukis[1] observed remains of it, but unfortunately the structure had been destroyed and only one large stone, too heavy to carry away, had been suffered to remain.
Maplescombe. In the ruined church of Maplescombe, not far from Dartford, there are four Sarsen stones in a position which suggests artificial arrangement, but of course it does not follow that they are connected with the megalithic remains for which the more central part of the county is famous.
Two interesting pieces[2] of neolithic pottery have recently been found in Mid-Kent, both of which are now in the Maidstone Museum. One, 4½ in. diam. and 2½ in. high, was found at Maidstone; the other, 3 in. diam. and 2½ in. high, was procured at Rose Wood, Ightham.
The Bronze Age
There can have been but few, if any, more important prehistoric events than the discovery of metals. Bronze, which is known to have been in use long before iron, although inferior to the latter in certain qualities, possessed many valuable properties, which were lacking in flint and other hard substances which had been employed hitherto.
