Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A group of 9 early neolithic pits were identified during excavation in Zone 6v of the East Kent Access route. They were assoicated with sherds of early neolithic pottery and may represent early neolithic occupation in the area. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• PIT (Early Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)

Associated Finds

• SHERD (Early Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)
• WORKED FLINT (Early Neolithic - 4000 BC to 3001 BC)

Full description

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During the East Kent Access Route excavations excavation towards the southern end of Zone 6, at the base of the slope of Ebbsfleet Hill, revealed a number of pits which contained struck flint and Early Neolithic Pottery when a colluvial layer had been removed. The majority were sub circular with fairly flat bases, a single fill, and a remaining depth of less than 0.2m One pit (299023) to the centre of the south of the Zone contained 78 sherds of pottery. The function of the pits is unclear, but may relate to temporary settlement (given the presence of pottery in nearly all of them), with flint knapping being undertaken in those areas to the north. (information summarised from source) (information summarised from source) (1-2)

<1> Oxford Wessex Archaeology Joint Venture, 2011, East Kent Access (Phase II), Thanet, Kent: Post-Excavation Assessment Volume 1 (Unpublished document). SKE29279.

<2> Andrews et al, 2015, Digging The Gateway: Archaeological Landscapes of South Thanet. The Archaeology of East Kent Access (Phase III) Vol 1: The sites (Monograph). SKE55517.

Sources and further reading