Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A number of cropmarks features had been previously identified at this location on aerial photographs taken for the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. A rectangular enclosure feature, pits, a possibe hollow way and a ring ditch were recorded on the Isle of Thanet Sites and Monuments Archive. A further number of rectillinear cropmarks were also observed from the ground in 1990.

In 1994 this site was subject to an archaeological investigation in advance of work to widen the A253 near Monkton. The site of a Romano-British settlement was found associated with an east to west running hollow way route. A number of features were revealed including enclosure ditches, storage and rubbish pits and post hole structures. The most extraordinary discovery was 22 sunken-floored or cellared structures which was an unusual building type for this period. The function of these buildings was uncertain but it is likely that at least some were used as dwelling houses. A Romano-British shrine building was also found on the western edge of the settlement. (This is thought to be a continuation of the site at TR 36 NW 239.)

Monument Types

• ENCLOSURE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• HOLLOW WAY (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• SHRINE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• WELL (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Full description

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Features probably shown on RCHME AP's - rectilinear enclosure with pit features and possible hollow way. Site 0579 of TSMR also. Ring ditch also located at corner of enclosure. (1-2)

A group of rectillinear cropmarks about 50m across was observed from the ground in 1990. Not part of WWII Manston Aerodrome system. Could be a large Romano-British building within boundary ditches. (3)

Area 5 of the A253 Dualling centred on approx. TR 3010 6572. The site of a Romano-British settlement associated with an E-W hollow way route, dating to the L1st-2nd AD. Features consisted of the usual enclosure ditches, storage and rubbish pits and post hole structures and 22 sunken-floored or cellared structures, representing an unusual building type for this period. It is likely that some of these buildings were used as dwelling houses, but generally their function is still open to question. On the W. fringes of the settlement a more usual type of RB building was located, the structure has been interpreted as a shrine. Probably a continuation of the site at TR 36 NW 239 (1)

Features probably shown on RCHME AP's - rectilinear enclosure with pit features and possible hollow way. Site 0579 of TSMR also. Ring ditch also located at corner of enclosure. (2)

Geophysical survey undertaken in 1992 (5).

<1> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, Thanet SMR, cropmark plot., RCHME Kent pilot mapping programme plot. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6443.

<2> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1987, Isle of Thanet Archaeological Unit Sites and Monuments Archive (Collection). SKE11846.

<3> Trust for Thanet Archaeology, 1991, Proposed Improvements to The A253 Between Monkton & Ramsgate: The Archaeological Implications (Unpublished document). SKE11867.

<4> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Canterbury's Archaeology 1994 - 1995, CAT Annual Report, 1994-5. Pages 20 - 27 (Serial). SKE11882.

<5> Clark, A. J. & Bartlett, A. D. H., 1992, Thanet, Kent: Proposed Improvements to A253 Report on Geophysical Survey (Unpublished document). SWX6777.

Sources and further reading

Related thematic articles

• Roman Kent (Thematic Essay)