Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

An archaeological evaluation trench at 45 Queens Avenue, Minister-in-Sheppey identified five phases of pre-modern activity. The site is located near the presumed bounds of the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval convent centred on Minster Abbey.

Monument Types

• FEATURE (Later Prehistoric - 4000 BC to 42 AD)
• POST HOLE (Late Iron Age to Post Medieval - 100 BC to 1900 AD)

Associated Finds

• LITHIC IMPLEMENT (Early Iron Age to Medieval - 800 BC to 1539 AD)
• OYSTER SHELL (Early Iron Age to Medieval - 800 BC to 1539 AD)
• POTTERY ASSEMBLAGE (Modern - 1901 AD to 2007 AD)
• WINDOW GLASS (Modern - 1901 AD to 2007 AD)

Full description

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An archaeological evaluation trench at 45 Queens Avenue, Minister-in-Sheppey identified five phases of pre-modern activity. The site is located near the presumed bounds of the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval convent centred on Minster Abbey. Several features were identified during the evaluation, three of which belonged to Phase I. One of three features in this phase was bowl-shaped and packed with flint pebbles and another was oval, probably a small pit or post-hole. Phase I also had an uncultivated old ground surface dating from the later prehistoric period. Flint pebbles associated with angular flints and grit were found among the gravel in Phase II, along with oyster shell, possibly crushed crumbs of black, shell-tempered pottery dating from the later prehistoric period. Phase III had remains of thick charcoal and oyster-flecked deposits with some flint pebbles. This phase also had remains of an old ground surface, probably built up during abandonment and/or used as pasture and cultivation. This is suggested from inclusions made during the Roman, Anglo-Saxon or early medieval period. Two oval features were present in Phase IV. One is cut by 4 larger, deeper features. Its fill contained several flint pebbles and the other oval feature was not bottomed. There are two post holes in Phase IV, the smaller of which was most likely to reinforce the larger. The building was most likely built post-conquest. The final phase was filled with several backfilled post-holes, sealed by a layer of flint pebbles and gravel. Fragments of oyster shell lay within the gravel. A few sherds of 19-20th century pottery and window glass were immediately upon it. Phase V is most likely late Anglo-Saxon or medieval. (1-2)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2007, 45 Queens Road, Minster-in-Sheppey, report on evaluation trenching (Unpublished document). SKE13043.

<2> Weekes, J., 2012, Canterbury Archaeological Trust Interim Reports, Archaeologia Cantiana CXXXII 2012: 299 (Article in serial). SKE25119.

Sources and further reading