Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Excavation during the construction of the Channel tunnel found early to middle Iron Age features consisting mainly of large pits, representing an extensive, open settlement. The pits were used for rubbish, grain storage and for ritual functions (a horse's head was deposited in one pit). Field ditches suggest a system of square fields to the east of the settlement. Numerous cattle and pig bones indicate that animal husbandry was also important. The pottery has continental parallels. In the late Iron Age there was a change to a more enclosed settlement with features enclosed by ditches and paddocks. During the Roman period the settlement shifted north and the old enclosure was converted into fields. The village area was divided into plots, defined by new ditches.

Monument Types

• ANIMAL BURIAL? (Early Iron Age to Middle Iron Age - 800 BC to 101 BC)
• FIELD SYSTEM (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
• PIT (Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
• SETTLEMENT (SETTLEMENT, Early Iron Age to Roman - 800 BC to 409 AD)
• HOUSE (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)
• INHUMATION (Roman - 43 AD to 409 AD)

Associated Finds

• ANIMAL REMAINS (Early Iron Age to Middle Iron Age - 800 BC to 101 BC)
• LOOMWEIGHT (Early Iron Age to Middle Iron Age - 800 BC to 101 BC)
• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Early Iron Age to Middle Iron Age - 800 BC to 101 BC)
• COIN (Middle Iron Age - 130 BC to 128 BC)
• BROOCH (Late Iron Age - 100 BC to 42 AD)

Full description

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Early to Mid Iron Age features consist of mainly large pits, representing an extensive, open settlement. The pits were used for rubbish, grain storage and for ritual functions (horse head deposited in one pit). Field ditches suggest a system of square fields to the East of the settlement, numerous cattle and pig bones indicate the importance of animal husbandry also. Pottery has continental parallels suggesting cultural links. Finds have been recovered from numerous transects indicating thorough exploitation of the whole area.

A significant no. of Late Iron Age pits + ditches suggest a change to enclosed village life during this period. The complex sequence of ditches reflect continuous modifications to the internal arrangement of the hamlet.

During the Roman period the settlement shifted north and the old enclosure was converted into fields. The village area was divided into plots, defined by new ditches. Rubbish pits are ubiquitous, each plot has a grave pit. 1 important house fronted with a stone revetment. The settlement was abandoned in the late Roman period, possibly due to poor soil fertility. (1) During subsequenct work three inhumation burials were discovered. Two were youg to middle aged females and one was a child. There were no grave good but they are assumed to be Roman in date. (2)

<1> Bennett, P., 1989, Canterbury's Archaeology 1987-8, CAT Annual Report, 1987-8, p.54-58. (Monograph). SWX7232.

<2> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1990, Canterbury's Archaeology 1988-1989 (Monograph). SKE6722.

Sources and further reading