Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Pottery described as ranging in date from the Bronze Age through to the Saxon period was found during excavations for sewers in the Dence Park in 1923. The potsherds were said to have come from a midden deposit located on the highest part of the Downs. The "midden" was 2 to 3 feet in height and oval in shape, orientated northeast-southwest.

Monument Types

• MIDDEN (MIDDEN, Bronze Age - 2350 BC to 701 BC)
• MIDDEN (MIDDEN, Iron Age - 800 BC to 42 AD)
• MIDDEN (MIDDEN, Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• MIDDEN (MIDDEN, Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 410 AD to 1065 AD)

Associated Finds

• SHERD (Middle Bronze Age to Medieval - 1200 BC to 1066 AD)

Full description

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In 1923, during development of the N. end of Dence Park, which lies on the highest part of The Downs, two trenches for sewers cut through a LBA-Saxon midden at TR 18796810. This lay 1 to 2 feet below present ground level, was 2 to 3 feet in height and was oval in plan being orientated NE-SW. LBA plain and decorated sherds, 1A `A' sherds (haematite-coated ware), IA `B' and Belgic sherds, Ro pottery and a Jutish pottery bottle were found. A selection of the finds are on exhibition in Herne Bay Museum. No further material has since come to light in the area. (1)

<1> Display cards sketch plan Herne Bay Mus (OS Card Reference). SKE39746.

<2> Inf Mr HE Gough Curator Herne Bay Mus (OS Card Reference). SKE44347.

<3> F1 ASP 29.11.63 (OS Card Reference). SKE42341.

<4> Field report for monument TR 16 NE 7 - November, 1963 (Bibliographic reference). SKE5515.

Sources and further reading