Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The largest of three sand and gravel quarries situated within Dartford Heath, to the south-west of Dartford. No industrial structures or evidence of a more mechanised extractive process survive within the quarry. The site, in a smaller state, is shown on the 1st edition of the OS map. A remarkable series of regularly spaced linear banks, crossing the quarry floor on an east-west alignment and bisected by two roughly perpendicular tracks, are the remains of 19th century extraction. They date to at least the last quarter of the 19th century and first appear on the second edition OS maps (1890s). The spoil tips/banks, locally referred to as ‘Glory Bumps’, all lie within the extent of the quarry, measure c.2-2.5m high, are spaced c. 2-2.5m apart and are made up from a relatively compact mixture of calcious material with clay and sand.

The history and function of these regular earthworks remain inconclusive, with local suggestions of WWI trench warfare practise sites (which may have happened) or of brick-earth extraction (unlikely). However, a suggestion, based on their soil make- up and the assumption that they were probably excavated by hand, is that the banks comprise discarded lower quality mixed capping material removed in strips to gain access to the superficial higher quality Boyn Hill gravels (c.18 inch seam) below. The spoil and waste from the excavations were piled up to one side of the strip and the process repeated across the quarry floor, resulting in the regular linear banks that remain. Following this method of strip excavation, the banks of spoil were left and the quarry abandoned.

Monument Types

• QUARRY (Post Medieval - 1862 AD? to 1862 AD?)

Full description

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The largest of three sand and gravel quarries situated within Dartford Heath, to the south-west of Dartford. No industrial structures or evidence of a more mechanised extractive process survive within the quarry. However, a remarkable series of regularly spaced linear banks, crossing the quarry floor on an east-west alignment and bisected by two roughly perpendicular tracks, are the remains of 19th century extraction. They date to at least the last quarter of the 19th century and first appear on the second edition OS maps (1890s). The spoil tips/banks, locally referred to as ‘Glory Bumps’, all lie within the extent of the quarry, measure c.2-2.5m high, are spaced c. 2-2.5m apart and are made up from a relatively compact mixture of calcious material with clay and sand.

The history and function of these regular earthworks remain inconclusive, with local suggestions of WWI trench warfare practise sites (which may have happened) or of brick-earth extraction (unlikely). However, a suggestion, based on their soil make- up and the assumption that they were probably excavated by hand, is that the banks comprise discarded lower quality mixed capping material removed in strips to gain access to the superficial higher quality Boyn Hill gravels (c.18 inch seam) below. The spoil and waste from the excavations were piled up to one side of the strip and the process repeated across the quarry floor, resulting in the regular linear banks that remain. Following this method of strip excavation, the banks of spoil were left and the quarry abandoned.

Fortunately the quarry lies within a rare and important ecological landscape of lowland heath, which should have ecological/landscape/SSSI designations.

The survival of one or two such workings/spoil tips from the 19th century is unusual, but the survival of what appears to be the entire workings is very rare. The survey uncovered no other quarries retaining such features, and few if any sites within or beyond the 3D area retain the extent or quality of remains. Therefore survival of such earthworks is unparalleled and as such can be assessed as a locally and regionally important site, worthy of further survey and study.

To ensure their future survival and limit further damage, these unusual 19th century earthworks should be protected and maintained by scheduling or through Conservation Area designation. (1)

<1> Essex County Council, 2003, Aggregates Levy Survey Industrial Sites, KN708 & 729 (Unpublished document). SKE12009.

Sources and further reading