Link to printer-friendly page

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

Monument details

HER Number:TQ 67 SW 1532
Type of record:Monument
Name:Early Medieval Tidal Watermill, Ebbsfleet Valley - Debris screen and Y shaped pile

Summary

A well-preserved example of a tidal water mill dating to sometime between 684 and 720 AD. It was found in association with a mill pond, water trough and wattle revetments/fish traps. The dual-chuted construction of the mill and the size of the wheel-pit suggests that horizontal wheels would have powered the mill. it does not seem to have been use for long before it was demolished possibly due to rising water level and silting. A number of the timbers are currently under conservation. Preliminary investigation has revealed a number of axe marks and on one of the larger chute timbers compass marks; evidence of the use of geometry.

A wattle screen was identified 1m south of the pentrough inlets. The bases of the rods were sharpened which implies the screen was originally pushed into the pond bed. To the south of the screen a substantial 'Y' shaped pile was identified partly upright.

Location accurate to 2m based on available information.

Images

Saxon watermill at Ebbsfleet under excavation   © Kent County CouncilSaxon watermill at Ebbsfleet   © Kent County CouncilSaxon watermill at Ebbsfleet   © Kent County Council
Grid Reference:TQ 6155 7413
Map Sheet:TQ67SW
Parish:SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE, DARTFORD, KENT

Monument Types

  • WATERMILL (Abandoned, Early Medieval or Anglo-Saxon - 691 AD? to 720 AD? (at some time))

Full description

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

During archaeological investigations associated with the Channel Tunnel Rail Line in 2001-2003, and in particular the investigation of the Roman wharves associated with Northfleet Roman villa, which lies c. 30 m to the south, the archaeologists discovered a well preserved example of a tidal water mill dating to sometime between 684 and 720 AD (probably AD 691/2) and lasting for c. 30 years. It was found in association with a mill pond, water trough and wattle revetments/fish traps. The dual chuted construction of the mill had the size of the wheel-pit suggests that horizontal wheels would have powered the mill.

A wattle screen was identified 1m south of the pentrough inlets. The sails of the screen project 0.25m below the weavers. The bases of the rods were sharpened which implies the screen was originally pushed into the pond bed. To the south of the screen a substantial 'Y' shaped pile was identified partly upright. This suggests it may be in the original location. (3)

The pile measured 1.80m long with a diameter of 0.20m and a span at the top of c. 0.60m. (3)

The function of the pile is unknown.

Location accurate to 2m based on available information.


<1> Oxford Archaeology, 2003, Ebbsfleet Valley Detailed Mitigation Works, Northfleet, Kent: Interim Statement (Unpublished document). SKE12256.

<2> Rail Link Engineering, 2003, CTRL SECTION 2: ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAMME EBBSFLEET MILL - PROVISIONAL REPORT ON THE RECORDING, SAMPLING AND CLEANING OF THE ANGLO-SAXON AND ROMAN TIMBERS (Unpublished document). SKE12258.

<3> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2010, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape (Unpublished document). SKE31245.

<4> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 4: Saxon and Later Finds and Environmental Reports (Monograph). SKE32437.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>Unpublished document: Oxford Archaeology. 2003. Ebbsfleet Valley Detailed Mitigation Works, Northfleet, Kent: Interim Statement.
<2>Unpublished document: Rail Link Engineering. 2003. CTRL SECTION 2: ARCHAEOLOGY PROGRAMME EBBSFLEET MILL - PROVISIONAL REPORT ON THE RECORDING, SAMPLING AND CLEANING OF THE ANGLO-SAXON AND ROMAN TIMBERS.
<3>Unpublished document: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2010. Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. The Late Iron Age, Roman, Saxon, and Medieval Landscape.
<4>Monograph: Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture. 2011. Settling the Ebbsfleet Valley. CTRL Excavations at Springhead and Northfleet, Kent. Volume 4: Saxon and Later Finds and Environmental Reports.

Related records

TQ 67 SW 298Part of: Early Medieval Tidal Watermill, Ebbsfleet Valley (Monument)