The present investigation was initiated as part of a programme of research into abandoned cliffs, focused particularly on their morphology, geomechanics and mode of development following the cessation of erosion at their foot. An excellent example of such a feature is provided by the cliffs backing the extensive littoral and alluvial accumulation of Romney Marsh in Kent (FIG 1.). At Lympne, the lower slopes of these are occupied by the remains of the Roman fort known as Stutfall Castle, which has been strongly disrupted by landslides. It was accordingly decided to concentrate the investigations in this general area, in the expectation that the archaeology of the fort would throw light on the later stages of landsliding and slope development. At the same time it was hoped that the geotechnical work would illuminate some of the long-standing archaeological problems of the site.