Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A rare 12th century farmstead was found near Monkton during work to widen the A253. The majority of the settlement lay within two adjoining enclosures, and these contained evidence of building structures defined by post-holes or posts-in-slots. A further number of rectangular buildings, identified as barns and domestic residences, were discovered. In addition to these features an unbottomed well or chalk pit, fence lines and internal ditches, a cesspit and pissoir were found. During pipelines operations in the area an oval pit and a number of associated ditches were discovered in the north western corner of the monument. The pottery sherds found in these features dated to the 11th and 12th centuries. This discovery is thought to be a continuation of the medieval farmstead found during the widening of the A253 (see TR 26 NE 104).

Monument Types

• BARN (Medieval - 1080 AD? to 1150 AD? (between))
• CESS PIT (Medieval - 1080 AD? to 1150 AD? (between))
• FARMSTEAD (Abandoned, Medieval - 1080 AD? to 1150 AD? (between))
• WELL? (Medieval - 1080 AD? to 1150 AD? (between))

Full description

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Area 8 of Monkton to Mount Pleasant Dualling, centred at approx. TR 2920 6566. A rare 12th farmstead was located, most of the settlement lay within a pair of adjoining enclosures, with each enclosure containing buildings defined by post-holes or posts-in-slots. Three seperate rectangular buildings were discovered in the W. enclosure and at least one in the E. These have been identified as a 2-phase byre/barn and possible domestic residences. One possibility for the framing of buildings on the site is that they may have been an early form of earthfast-crucks or base-crucks.

In addition to the main buildings an unbottomed well/chalk pit, fence lines and internal ditches, a cesspit and pissoir were located. (1)

An oval pit and a number of associated ditches discovered during the pipeline operations in the north western corner of the monument have been interpreted as traces of a later medieval settlement. Analysis of pottery sherds found in the pit suggest that the settlement dates to the years around 1080-1150 AD. The monuments have been partly disturbed by the pipeline laying and modern ploughing. (record form TR 26 NE 104 and possibly linked with this site as well.(2)

<1> CAT Annual Report, 1994-5. (OS Card Reference). SKE38716.

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Canterbury's Archaeology 1994 - 1995, CAT Annual Report, 1994-5. (Serial). SKE11882.

<2> English Heritage Scheduling Section, 1999, Anglo-Saxon Cemetery and Associated Remains at Monkton, 550m North of Walters Hall Farm (Scheduling record). SKE11849.

Sources and further reading

Related records