Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

A number of flint implements were found after the discovery of an Iron Age Hillfort in 1939 at High Rocks. The site was subsequently investigated between 1954-6. Four phases of use were suggested dating the site to the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. Amongst the finds were a large quantity of Mesolithic flints including cores, blades/flakes, microliths, axes and scrapers. Seven hearths were also recorded and were attributed to the late Mesolithic period on the basis of Carbon14 dating. A Neolithic leaf shaped arrowhead and mid-Neolithic pottery were also recovered and possible post hole structures, perhaps from a temporary shelter, were identified. On the basis of the evidence it is thought that the Rock Shelters were only intermittently occupied rather than a continuous settlement.

Monument Types

• CAVE (Early Mesolithic to Late Neolithic - 10000 BC to 2351 BC (between))
• HEARTH (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• POST HOLE (Mesolithic - 10000 BC? to 4001 BC? (at some time))
• ROCK SHELTER (Early Mesolithic to Late Neolithic - 10000 BC to 2351 BC (between))

Associated Finds

• BLADE (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• CORE (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• FLAKE (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• HANDAXE (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• MICROLITH (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• SCRAPER (TOOL) (Mesolithic - 10000 BC to 4001 BC)
• LEAF ARROWHEAD (Neolithic - 4000 BC to 2351 BC)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

TQ560383, High Rocks, Mesolithic-Neolithic rock-shelter sites. The existance of a prehistoric site at High Rocks was first realised in 1939 when the author identified an IA fort (See TQ 53 NE 8) in the area above the rocks. Flint implements were discovered by the author and Mr F.R.E.Malden independently on the surface under the escarpment and in September 1954 they joined forces for a trial digging at three points where overhanging rock suggested rock-shelter sites. A few flint implements and some waste materials was discovered. Further work has been undertook in 1955 and 1956. Site`A'(See plan 2) faces north and has recently been levelled. The occupation layer varied in thickness from 10" to 2' 10". A small flint scraper, flint debris and a small pit, 8' out from the rock and containing, dark soil and bloomery cinders, was found. Site`B'(See plan 2) faces north-west and has also been levelled. Although only one occupation period was distinquised it was slightly finds none productive with mesolithic blades and blade tools, a scraper and a fine transverse arrowhead, being recovered. Site`C'(See plan 3) which faces north and always seems to have attracted settlers as it has a move generous protection of flanking walls and overhead cover than away other excavated site with the exception of site`D'. Probably recent beam holes and surface post-holes offer evidence of a later shelter. The prehistoric occupation level averages about 3' and can be sivided into two periods periods I- consisted of about fifty pieces of flint but only two microlites and two blade cores were recognisebleas worked products. Period II- Represented by six hundred pieces of flint, including twenty-five microlites of various types and two blade tools: Fragments of Neolithic pottery, west of which can be matched by pottery from Whitehawk Camp and probably dated to C 2000 BC, and a ruin of Wealdon type IA pottery c AD43. Two hearths were found in sub-sites `e' and `g' respectively. Evidence suggests intermittent occupation by Mesolithic hunters followed by visitors who made Neolithic type pottery. Site `D' faces south-west and therefore has a share of light which is lacking from other sites. Also parts of the site are under a ceiling of rock not just overhangs.Its favourable position, however, its not reflected by intensive occupation. Only one occupation period was detactable which varied in depth from 12 to 18" and consisted of charcoal and about 4 several pieces of flint, including seven microlithes, some blades with secondary working and a fine end-scraper, but no pottery. The upper levels of occupation were probably removed in modern times. Site`E'(See plans 4 & 5) faces north-west. Two periods of occupation were discerened with a signifciant break between them but both are exclusively Mesolithic. Period I - contained two bivouac hearths, belonging to a later stage of occupation in this period, charcoal and about 400 pieces of flint including micro-cores, microliths and blade tools. No pottery whatever or flint artefacts of recognisable Neolithic type was found. Site`F'(See plans 6 & 7) the most productive of all the excavated sites yielding seven hearths, Mesothlic flint implements and Neolithicpottery. Stratigraphically the site may be divided into four periods but culturally only Mesolithic and Neolithic are detectable. Period I- no hearths were encountered but there was a scatter of charcoal, which may have spread from a undiscovered hearth. Flint implements - all Mesolithic included microliths, blades and blade tools but no cores. Fifteen sherds of Neolithic pottery were found in sub-site `n'. Pollen data shed no light on the history of period I.Period II was represented by almost two hundred pieces of flint, all but a Neolithic leaf-shaped arrowhead being Mesolithic: Neolithic pottery: seven hearths at different levels: charcoal and possible post-holes. The flints included micro-cores, micro-blades, microliths, blade cores, blades and blades tools. The pottery, apart from one piece of apparently Rinyo-Clacton type and likely to be late Neolithic, can be matched with pieces found at Ebbsfleet, Whitehawk and Combe Hill and is therefore Middle Neolithic. The hearths, with the exception of hearths "3" are all from the upper part of this period. Hearth "3" lay about a foot below hearth "4" and well below the level at which Neolithic pottery was found. All hearths were similar construction being made up of pieces of local sandstone. All with the exception of hearth "5", were of simple construction, the stone packed closely together in a single layer. Hearth "5" was the largest and most unique in the series. About a foot below the hearth itself was a circle of roughly shaped stones as a big or slightly bigger than the stones of the hearth itself. Suggested use as foundation stones. The charcoal from this hearth gave a c14 reading of 3700 bc I 150 years (British Museum BM-40) (3) and appears to be of late Mesolithic date. Period III contained a few flints and pieces of Neolithic Pottery not regarded as distinct from those in period II. At the bottom of period IV were found a few flints of Mesolithic type, again indistinguisable in character from those lower down. Evidence suggests a site occupied intermittently during Mesolithic and Neolithic times. Suggested as the first site this country to produce in any large quantity material other than pottery as part of the Ebbsfleet culture. (1)
Further evidence, the British Museum (BM-91 (3)) having tested a further sample from site "F" and given it a c14 date of 3780 bc I 150 years suggests that the Ebbsfleet pottery far from being secondary Neolithic is it fact primary that the accepted terms Mesolithic have become blurred in the sense that at this early date in the fourth millennium BC we have a hunting community using pottery. (2)
Site "G" (See plan 8) faces north-east and like site "c" has a number of probably recent beam holes cut in the rock face. The occupation evidence, which is very sparse, can be divided into three periods.
Period I yeilding a few pieces of flint in subsite "b". The maximum occupation occurred in period II unit two Mesolithic blades, a few flint flakes and at it’s upper level a hearth which was only partially explored.
Period III produced charcoal and only a few waste flakes sites "H" and "I" were trenches dug immediately above site "F" to obtain a picture of the stratification at the subsoil.
Site "J" (See plan 2) a trail trench that yeilded only thirty nine pieces of flint. The sparse evidence suggests the fabrication of flint implements either on or near the site.
Site "K" (See plan 2) the only evidence of human occupation was the TQ560383, Frant, High Rocks: an excavated rock-shelter (site "F") in which were found 28 cores, 1592 blade/flakes, 54 microliths, 14 axes and an unspecified number of scrapers. Information from the excavator M J H Money and the finds are in his collection. That the c14 dates (see 1-3) refer to the microlithic material and not the sherds of Whitehawk Ware found at the same level is confirmed by thermoluminescence dates on some of the pottery which place it well within the accepted age-range of the Neolithic. Although the number of Microliths from individual sites were too few for analysis, small scalene triangles and rods from site "F" fit well with the c14 dates obtained. (5)
Pottery found with the microliths in shelter "F" is of types too involved to be associated with the c14 dates (6) High Rocks, sites "C" to "J" are identified on a map showing the distributation of Mesolithic cave and Rock-shelter sites in England and Wales. (7)
From the National Heritage List for England:
The monument includes prehistoric rock shelters, with evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic occupation and an Iron Age multivallate hillfort. It is situated on a hill top, with a rocky promontory on the north-west side, overlooking the valley of the River Grom. The site lies a short distance to the west of Royal Tunbridge Wells and straddles the East Sussex and Kent border. The rock shelters, surviving as below-ground archaeological remains, are situated in gullies between the projecting High Rocks. The hillfort above measures about 470m north west to south east and 350m north east to south west. There is a double bank and ditch on the north east, south east and south west sides, while the north west side is defined by the High Rocks escarpment. The entrance to the hillfort lies at the south end of the south east side. The site was partially excavated in 1940 and between 1954 and 1961. A variety of Mesolithic and Neolithic material was found in association with the rock shelters. This included numerous flint implements and waste material, sandstone hearths, charcoal, Neolithic pottery sherds and arrowheads. The flints included micro-cores, micro-blades, microliths, blade cores, blades and blade tools. The Iron Age hillfort yielded evidence for two phases of construction. Initially a univallate hillfort is thought to have been constructed with a single bank and ditch and simple entrance, for which evidence of a gate and palisading were found. An inner bank, revetted with stone on its outer face, a guardroom with outer wall and a paved south-east approach road were later added. The pottery uncovered included late Iron Age 'A', Belgic and Wealden (Hawkes 'Southern Second 'B'') type. These indicate that the fort was occupied in about 150 BC - 100 BC and again in the 1st century A.D. Evidence for later Romano-British occupation site was also found in the eastern part of the hillfort. The monument excludes all modern fences and fence posts, gates and gate posts, and the surfaces of modern pathways but the ground beneath these features is included.
Rock shelters such as these, with evidence of Mesolithic (10,000 BC - 4,000 BC) and Neolithic (4000 BC - 2200 BC) occupation, represent an early form of human activity. Evidence for occupation is often located close to the rock walls or on exterior platforms. The interiors sometimes served as special areas for disposal and storage or were places where material naturally accumulated from the outside. Rock shelters are of major importance for their comparative rarity, their considerable age and their longevity as a monument type. Small multivallate hillforts are fortified enclosures of varying shape, generally between 1 and 5ha in size and located on hilltops. They are defined by boundaries consisting of two or more lines of closely set earthworks spaced at intervals of up to 15m. These entirely surround the interior except on sites located on promontories, where cliffs may form one or more sides of the monument. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and occupied between the sixth century BC and the mid-first century AD. Earthworks may consist of a rampart alone or of a rampart and ditch which, on many sites, are associated with counterscarp banks and internal quarry scoops. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or two entrances, which either appear as simple gaps in the earthwork or inturned passages, sometimes with guardrooms. The interior generally consists of settlement evidence including round houses, four and six post structures interpreted as raised granaries, roads, pits, gullies, hearths and a variety of scattered post and stake holes. Small multivallate hillforts are rare with around 100 examples recorded nationally. The hillfort at 'High Rocks', 309m ESE of High Rocks Inn survives well and is a good example. Partial excavation has indicated that the earthwork defences will retain evidence for construction techniques employed during the Iron Age whilst the interior will retain evidence for the occupation of the hillfort, the economy of its inhabitants and subsequent Romano-British occupation. The prehistoric occupation site within the bounds of the later Iron Age hillfort represents an unusual occurrence, and will retain archaeological information and environmental evidence relating to the occupation of the rock shelters and the surrounding landscape at the time of occupation.

Details
The monument includes prehistoric rock shelters, with evidence of Mesolithic and Neolithic occupation and an Iron Age multivallate hillfort. It is situated on a hill top, with a rocky promontory on the north-west side, overlooking the valley of the River Grom. The site lies a short distance to the west of Royal Tunbridge Wells and straddles the East Sussex and Kent border. The rock shelters, surviving as below-ground archaeological remains, are situated in gullies between the projecting High Rocks. The hillfort above measures about 470m north west to south east and 350m north east to south west. There is a double bank and ditch on the north east, south east and south west sides, while the north west side is defined by the High Rocks escarpment. The entrance to the hillfort lies at the south end of the south east side. The site was partially excavated in 1940 and between 1954 and 1961. A variety of Mesolithic and Neolithic material was found in association with the rock shelters. This included numerous flint implements and waste material, sandstone hearths, charcoal, Neolithic pottery sherds and arrowheads. The flints included micro-cores, micro-blades, microliths, blade cores, blades and blade tools. The Iron Age hillfort yielded evidence for two phases of construction. Initially a univallate hillfort is thought to have been constructed with a single bank and ditch and simple entrance, for which evidence of a gate and palisading were found. An inner bank, revetted with stone on its outer face, a guardroom with outer wall and a paved south-east approach road were later added. The pottery uncovered included late Iron Age 'A', Belgic and Wealden (Hawkes 'Southern Second 'B'') type. These indicate that the fort was occupied in about 150 BC - 100 BC and again in the 1st century A.D. Evidence for later Romano-British occupation site was also found in the eastern part of the hillfort. The monument excludes all modern fences and fence posts, gates and gate posts, and the surfaces of modern pathways but the ground beneath these features is included.

Reasons for Designation
Rock shelters such as these, with evidence of Mesolithic (10,000 BC - 4,000 BC) and Neolithic (4000 BC - 2200 BC) occupation, represent an early form of human activity. Evidence for occupation is often located close to the rock walls or on exterior platforms. The interiors sometimes served as special areas for disposal and storage or were places where material naturally accumulated from the outside. Rock shelters are of major importance for their comparative rarity, their considerable age and their longevity as a monument type. Small multivallate hillforts are fortified enclosures of varying shape, generally between 1 and 5ha in size and located on hilltops. They are defined by boundaries consisting of two or more lines of closely set earthworks spaced at intervals of up to 15m. These entirely surround the interior except on sites located on promontories, where cliffs may form one or more sides of the monument. They date to the Iron Age period, most having been constructed and occupied between the sixth century BC and the mid-first century AD. Earthworks may consist of a rampart alone or of a rampart and ditch which, on many sites, are associated with counterscarp banks and internal quarry scoops. Access to the interior is generally provided by one or two entrances, which either appear as simple gaps in the earthwork or inturned passages, sometimes with guardrooms. The interior generally consists of settlement evidence including round houses, four and six post structures interpreted as raised granaries, roads, pits, gullies, hearths and a variety of scattered post and stake holes. Small multivallate hillforts are rare with around 100 examples recorded nationally. The hillfort at 'High Rocks', 309m ESE of High Rocks Inn survives well and is a good example. Partial excavation has indicated that the earthwork defences will retain evidence for construction techniques employed during the Iron Age whilst the interior will retain evidence for the occupation of the hillfort, the economy of its inhabitants and subsequent Romano-British occupation. The prehistoric occupation site within the bounds of the later Iron Age hillfort represents an unusual occurrence, and will retain archaeological information and environmental evidence relating to the occupation of the rock shelters and the surrounding landscape at the time of occupation.

<1> Suss Arch Coll 98 1960 173-221 plans photos Figs(JH Money) (OS Card Reference). SKE49763.

<2> Suss Arch Coll 100 1962 (OS Card Reference). SKE49762.

<3> Kent Arch Rev 35 1974 Radiocarbon dates from Kent 148 (OS Card Reference). SKE45768.

<4> CBA Res Rep 20 Gaz of Me sites in Eng & Wales 1977 302 (JJ Wymer) (OS Card Reference). SKE38878.

<5> CBA Res Rep 29 Arch in Suss to AD 1500 1978 15 19 (PL Drewett,ed) (OS Card Reference). SKE38896.

<6> CBA Res Rep 43 Arch in Kent to AD 1500 1982 21 (PE Leach ed) (OS Card Reference). SKE38898.

<7> BAR 76 Culture & Enviroment in Prehist Wales 1980 132 133 (JA Taylor) (OS Card Reference). SKE37566.

<8> F1 ASP 19.1.65 (OS Card Reference). SKE42176.

<9> Field report for monument TQ 53 NE 9 - January, 1965 (Bibliographic reference). SKE2708.

Sources and further reading

Related records

Related thematic articles

• Mesolithic Kent (Thematic Essay)